Senegalese singer-songwriter-activist Youssou N'Dour, who released five albums on Nonesuch Records over the span of a decade, announced on Monday that he will run for President of Senegal in the country's election next month. N'Dour has long been an outspoken advocate for a number of human rights, public health, and anti-poverty causes in Senegal and abroad; this is his first personal foray into electoral politics.

"For a long time, men and women have demonstrated their optimism, dreaming of a new Senegal," N'Dour said when announcing his candidacy on Monday. "They have, in various ways, called for my candidacy in the February presidential race. I listened. I heard, and I am responding positively to your request." Watch the announcement, with English subtitles, below via the Guardian.

Youssou N'Dour, whom NPR included among the world's 50 great voices last year, released his first record on Nonesuch, Joko (The Link), in 2000, followed by Nothing's in Vain (Coono du réér) in 2002. In 2004, he released Egypt, an exploration of his Islamic faith that would go on to win the Grammy Award for
Best Contemporary World Music and became the subject for the documentary film I Bring What I Love; Nonesuch released the film's soundtrack in 2010. The Washington Post described N'Dour's 2007 studio album, Rokku Mi Rokka (Give and Take), as “intricate, indigenous, and characteristically exhilarating.” To peruse Youssou N'Dour's complete Nonesuch catalog, head to the Nonesuch Store now.

Watch Youssou N'Dour's Presidential campaign announcement here: