Rose was one of the most renowned African musicians of the 20th century. While he specialized in the sabar, he also played many other types of drum such as "saourouba", "assicot", "bougarabou", "meung meung", "lambe," "n'der", "gorom babass", and "khine". The child of a Griot (West African bard caste) family, Ndiaye Rose began performing in the 1930s, but continued to make his living as a plumber for some time. Shortly before Senegalese independence he performed with Josephine Baker, and became a favorite with Dakar audiences. In 1960 he made the first head of the Senegalese National Ballet, and in the 1970s with his Doudou Ndiaye Rose Orchestra. He also collaborated with Miles Davis and the Rolling Stones.