A million voices

Youssou N’Dour hopes to capture Senegalese votes as he lays claim to the presidency of his beloved country. TABJ charts the progress of a mercurial pop star whose knowledge of Senegal would appear to transcend his lack of academic qualifications.

For many he will always be the voice behind one of the most haunting and defining pop anthems of the 1990s. Now Youssou N’Dour is determined to top the political charts, after declaring himself a candidate in the fiercely competitive race to become Senegal’s next president. 

In addition to the global success he gained with ‘7 Seconds’—the huge 1994 hit on which he collaborated with the British female vocalist Nenah Cherry—N’Dour has enjoyed sustained success and huge popularity in his native Senegal. He has been credited with bringing the country’s unique mbalax drumming and singing styles to the mainstream, while also gaining recognition for the creative fusion of salsa, jazz and hip-hop.

Getting Wade

Next month’s elections will see the musician—along with a dozen other contenders—bid to oust Abdoulaye Wade, the African state’s current leader.

In a tense lead up to the showdown on February 26 there has been a volatile constitutional row, which threatens to boil over. It concerns whether Wade—who is almost 86—should be allowed to increase his 11 year tenure by a third term.

The revised Senegalese constitution limits presidential terms to two, but Wade—in a cheeky attempt to blur the rules—claims that this should not apply to his first, as it started in 2000, thereby pre-dating the amendment. Many believe that age and arrogance have combined to create a monster.

“The revised Senegalese constitution limits presidential terms to two, but Wade—in a cheeky attempt to blur the rules—claims that this should not apply to his first, as it started in 2000, thereby pre-dating the amendment”

Resentment over Wade’s leadership reached a crescendo in June last year when Wade proposed new electoral rules, which would have made it easier for him to win the poll, and eventually hand power over to his son.

Pressure on the President also increased when—enraged by chronic power cuts—protesters clashed with riot police in the capital, Dakar, leaving more than 100 wounded; forcing the president to back down.

Singing hope

N’Dour has been one of the loudest and most frequent critics of Wade’s premiership, ever since their bitter feud began in 2005. Before then they were close allies and the singer even sang for him a number of times.

Some critics say N’Dour—a successful entrepreneur—stopped backing President Wade when he realised his businesses would not benefit from the relationship any more. This hasn’t, however, stopped thousands of voters seeing the singer as something of a saviour—a man of the people.

The singer has been especially scathing about what he calls the “profligate spending” of the Wade leadership, in a country where formal employment is scarce and average income per head is $3 (£1.90) a day.

Meanwhile, N’Dour has even cancelled a number of gigs to ensure he is fully prepared for a robust leadership battle and pulled no punches in his early leadership contest declaration. “I am a candidate and I will engage in the presidential race,” he told national radio and television.

Somewhat appropriately, the lyrics in ‘7 Seconds’ refer to the constant social, financial and emotional burdens that many human beings face from the moment they are born. In a satisfying twist N’Dour will now try and improve the lives of some of the most disenfranchised people in the world.

“The lyrics in ‘7 Seconds’ refer to the constant social, financial and emotional battles that many human beings face from the moment they are born. In a satisfying twist N’Dour will now try and improve thousands of lives”

“For a long time, men and women have demonstrated their optimism, dreaming of a new Senegal,” N’Dour said, as he began to step up the campaign. “They have, in various ways, called for my candidacy in the February presidential race. I listened. I heard.”

In response to questions about his lack of a university education, he was defiant.

“It is true that I do not have a university education – but being a president is not something they teach at school.”

“It is a supreme patriotic duty. I have proved my competence, commitment, rigour and efficiency time and time again. I have studied at the school of the world. Travel teaches as much as books,” he added.

“It is true lyrics that I do not have a university education – but being a president is not something they teach at school. I have studied at the school of the world”

Natural harmonies

Youssou N’Dour’s candidacy has not come as a great surprise to his countrymen. For years his lyrics have indicated, not only an appreciation of the human condition, but an acute political awareness.

Last year he engaged in domestic politics on a number of occasions, denouncing Wade’s attempt to suppress a run-off vote in the presidential elections in the process.

There is no doubt that N’Dour is extremely popular in Senegal, however, the key to transcending his chosen craft and succeeding in the unforgiving political theatre will be whether he can articulate messages as well as he does in his music. Potential voters will also want to see new, well-structured policies and an appetite for cultural change throughput Senegal.

Can he now turn hundreds of thousands of fans into voters? His radio and TV networks will be of great help, but the transition from stadiums to the corridors of power will not be straight forward. If he does reach the summit it will be the greatest performance of his life.

His most famous song stressed the importance of seconds, but this time N’Dour wants years.  

www.youssou.com

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