Youssou N’Dour Named Vice-President of CISAC

GRAMMY Award-winning artist Youssou N’Dour has been named Vice-President of the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC). The organization represents more than five million creators worldwide.

Why it matters:

• At a time when AI is reshaping content creation and distribution, the appointment of the Senegalese artist brings a high-profile figure in contemporary music into the global rights confederation’s leadership.

• CISAC works across more than 100 countries on behalf of the 227 rights organizations who make up its membership.

• It seeks to protect copyright, strengthen collective management systems and ensure that songwriters, composers, audiovisual creators, writers and visual artists receive fair compensation.

Timeline:

• N’Dour began his term on June 4 at CISAC’s annual General Assembly in Paris.

• He succeeds outgoing Vice-Presidents South African singer-songwriter Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Mexican contemporary composer Arturo Márquez.

• N’Dour joins CISAC’s leadership alongside CISAC President Björn Ulvaeus, songwriter and co-founder of ABBA.

Backstory:

• N’Dour has released more than 20 albums, collaborated with artists such as Peter Gabriel, Sting and Neneh Cherry, and won a GRAMMY for his 2004 album Egypt.

• He has also played a key role in building the commercial infrastructure of the music industry in West Africa.

What they said:

• Gadi Oron, CISAC Director General: “At a moment when music creators are navigating profound technological disruption and rapid changes in how value is generated and distributed, strong and globally respected voices such as Youssou N’Dour’s are essential. His artistic stature and lifelong commitment to culture will help strengthen our advocacy for fair remuneration, transparency and robust copyright protections worldwide.”