Yusuf NDour running from president in Senegal.
One can say << AT LEAST HE DID NOT POP UP  THROUGH MACHINE  GUNS , BUT THROUGH MUSIC !>>

4 January 2012 Last updated at 04:58 ET

By Tom Geoghegan. BBC News Magazine

There will be no need to introduce himself to voters if Youssou N'Dour goes canvassing door to door on the streets of Dakar.

Born in Senegal's capital city 52 years ago, he has become one of the most famous musicians in Africa's history, collaborating with Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon and Sting, although his biggest global hit was 7 Seconds with Neneh Cherry in 1994.

He has long been involved in humanitarian causes and was critical of the response from African leaders to the famine in Somalia.

Now his fame presents him with a good chance of unseating the president, says Carlos Oya of the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London.

'It is a supreme patriotic duty,' says N'Dour "Youssou N'Dour is more than a famous musician, he's an institution in Senegal, one of the most revered celebrities in the country. Apart from his music, he's been actively promoting art and music for the grassroots, engaging lots of different people especially youth, to take a more active role in society."

In politics, name recognition counts for a lot, says polling expert Steve Mitchell of Mitchell Research, based in Michigan.

"Election results show that famous people running for office can do well if they have credibility and a good understanding of the political process."

Celebrity usually brings money too, which provides a campaigning advantage. But name recognition and deep pockets count for nothing without credibility, says Mr Mitchell.

While Sean Penn would have every chance of winning office, he says, it's unlikely that Kim Kardashian would get sufficient support.

  Some facts    

Australia: Peter Garrett, lead singer of Midnight Oil, now minister for school education

US: Sonny Bono of pop duo Sonny and Cher (above) served six years in Congress; Martha Reeves of Martha and the Vandellas was a councillor in Detroit

UK: Pete Wishart played keyboards for Scottish band Runrig, now MP for Perthshire

Haiti: Presidential election in 2011 won by singer Michel 'Sweet Micky' Martelly

Brazil: Musical innovator Gilberto Gil appointed culture minister 2003-08

Ireland: Singer Dana was Irish MEP 1999-04 but failed in two presidential elections

Italy: Former PM Silvio Berlusconi performed as a singer on cruise ships

Peru: Prominent Afro-Peruvian musician Susana Baca is her country's culture minister

Poland: Famed pianist Ignacy Paderewski was briefly his country's prime minister

Russia: Joseph Kobzon dubbed country's Frank Sinatra has been an MP for more than 20 years

Ukraine: Ruslana won Eurovision and then became an MP

Last year, she stood for president for a second time but came sixth.

US: Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was a concert pianist

UK: Former Prime Minister Edward Heath was an organist and conductor

Lithuania: MEP Vytautas Landsbergis, who was the first head of state of newly independent Lithuania from 1990-92, is an accomplished pianist and professor of music

Indonesia: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is a crooner with three albums to his name
It's not just actors and singers, he says, there are dynasties where sons followed fathers and wives followed husbands, in the US and in other countries like India and Pakistan.

Continue reading @ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-16395430

oh no. N'dour pls keep the respect of your fans and stick to music.

Haiti: Presidential election in 2011 won by singer Michel 'Sweet Micky' Martelly

with Wyclef Jean as second runner up. lol