Musicians for president? | Bangkok Post: Arts & Culture

WORLD BEAT

One of Africa's most well-known musicians, Youssou N'Dour, announced recently that he would run in Senegal's presidential elections next month. N'Dour was one of the first African musicians to ride the "world music" boom that started in the mid-1980s and his first international release, Immigres (Earthworks, UK), remains one of the standout albums of that period.

Senegalese presidential candidate Youssou N’Dour. — Photo by John Clewley

N'Dour has come a long way since his emergence on the global stage. He's had major international hits like his 1994 duet with Neneh Cherry, 7 Seconds, and released a string of successful albums for both the international and West African markets. He is a successful entrepreneur, running a studio, TV and radio stations and various businesses.