El Hadj N'Diaye

El Hadj N'Diaye is a Senegalese songwriter, composer and performer who sings in Wolof and French. He is the son of a Dialo father from Cassamance, in southern Senegal, and a mother from the northern river region of Matam. He used to earn his living as a cola nut vendor at the Thiaroye market, but went on to study economics at Cheikh Anta Diop's University, in Dakar, and was also an actor in two films by Ousmane Sembene, "Camp de Thiaroye" and "Guelwar," and for a young Senegalese filmmaker. For his debut in "Thiaroye," he was awarded a Choc du Monde de la Musique award in France. He also appeared in "Karmen Gei," Joseph Gaye Ramaka's comic remake of the Bizet opera, "Carmen," set in Senegal.