Immigrés

This was the album that made Senegalese singer Youssou N'Dour the reigning king of Afro-pop we know and adore today. On tunes like the intoxicating "Immigrés/Bitim Rew," the raucous, celebratory "Taaw," and the dreamily emotional "Pitche Mi," he draws together the traditional instruments and close harmonies of the Sahel with the bold melodies and boisterous rhythms of American soul, creating the singularly addictive sound that would make him an icon forever.