Senegal 
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Youssou N'Dour is a Senegalese musician, composer, and politician, recognized globally for his contributions to music and his advocacy for social issues.
Youssou N'Dour joined forces with Benetton for their 2008 global communication campaign, 'Africa Works,' to support Birima, a micro-lending initiative in Senegal.
UMA entered into a multi-year, exclusive partnership with Youssou N'Dour and his music company, TBI, to amplify his musical reach across Africa.
Youssou N'Dour joined Band Aid for Ethiopia after meeting Peter Gabriel in 1984, contributing to the charitable music collective.
Youssou N'Dour was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 1991. He advocated for children, participating in social mobilization and advocacy campaigns, and contributing to numerous benefit performances.
He was a featured performer in the 1988 worldwide Amnesty International Human Rights Now! Tour, collaborating with Lou Reed on a version of Peter Gabriel's song "Biko."
N'Dour was nominated as a Goodwill Ambassador for the FAO on October 16, 2000, to support their global initiatives.
Youssou N'Dour started Project Joko to open internet cafés in Africa and connect Senegalese communities globally.
N'Dour partnered with the Fonds Francophone des Inforoutes for his 'Joko' initiative, which aimed to bridge the digital divide in Africa.
In 2008, N'Dour joined the Fondation Chirac's honor committee, contributing to their humanitarian and peace-building efforts.
In 2009, N'Dour released his song "Wake Up (It's Africa Calling)" under a Creative Commons license to support IntraHealth International's 'IntraHealth Open' campaign, bringing open-source health applications to Africa.
N'Dour is a member of the Canadian charity Artists Against Racism, supporting their mission against racial discrimination.
Youssou N’Dour was born on October 1, 1959, in Dakar, Senegal. He began his musical journey at the age of 12, performing regularly with the Star Band, a prominent group in Dakar during the 1970s. By 1975, N’Dour had joined the band Diamono and toured throughout West Africa. His early career also saw him contributing significantly to the development of mbalax, a popular Senegambian music style that blends traditional Senegalese music with Latin influences. In 1978, he became a founding member of Étoile de Dakar, a group instrumental in shaping this new musical genre. This band later evolved into Super Étoile de Dakar, which became N’Dour’s primary backing band, releasing several cassette albums.
N’Dour’s international recognition grew significantly through his unique musical approach, which integrates traditional mbalax with diverse influences such as Cuban rumba, hip hop, jazz, and soul. He established his own recording studio in 1991 and founded the Jololi record label in 1995, further cementing his influence in the music industry. His collaborations with international artists like Peter Gabriel, Sting, and Neneh Cherry broadened his appeal and brought African music to a global audience. A notable achievement was the release of the trilingual hit single “7 Seconds” with Neneh Cherry in 1994, which propelled him to international stardom.
Beyond his musical career, N’Dour has been actively involved in social and political spheres. He was appointed UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 1991, advocating for children’s rights. His activism extends to organizing concerts for the release of Nelson Mandela in 1985 and participating in Amnesty International’s Human Rights Now! Tour in 1988. In 2012, N’Dour announced his candidacy for the Senegalese presidential election and, although disqualified, he later served as Senegal’s Minister of Tourism from April 2012 to September 2013 and subsequently as a Special Adviser to the President. He also founded the microfinance organization Birima in collaboration with United Colors of Benetton to support economic development in African communities.
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