Councillor Biographies
Youssou N'Dour, Musician and human rights advocate
Youssou N'Dour is a Senegalese singer and musician. He helped develop popular music in Senegal, known in the Wolof language as mbalax. He is one of the most celebrated African musicians in history. Youssou's mix of traditional Senegalese mbalax with eclectic influences ranging from Cuban samba to hip hop, jazz, and soul has won him an international fan base of millions. In Senegal, Youssou is a powerful cultural icon actively involved in social issues. In 1985, he organized a concert for the release of Nelson Mandela. He was a featured performer in the 1988 worldwide Amnesty International Human Rights Now! Tour and worked with the United Nations and UNICEF. He also started Project Joko to open internet cafés in Africa and to connect Senegalese communities around the world. He has performed at three of the Live 8 concerts.
