Youssou N’Dour: Will Senegalese Hip Hop Effect Political Change Again?

Senegalese singer Youssou N’Dour has announced his decision to challenge the ageing Abdoulaye Wade for the office of the presidency in next month’s elections.

The 85 year-old Wade will be trying to extend his 11-year rule and will come up against one of his most vocal critics in N’dour.

The massive hip hop movement in Senegal is critical of President Wade’s rule, particularly the corruption in the African country. The same movement was largely responsible for influencing the electorate President Abdou Diouf in 2000 –  who had been in power for 20 years –  and replacing him with Wade.

However, things have not gone according to plan since the election of Wade. The hip hop movement has become increasingly disillusioned with the politicians it brought into power.

With the over 2,500 gaining increasing influence political influence, enter the half-griot and widely respect N’Dour, an option likely to be popular movement.

This will probably be Wade’s biggest challenge to date.

Subscribe to Blog via Email