Dec 8/04
Sunugal
The 4th annual Senegalese hip-hop awards are going on this week in Dakar.
While Senegalese hip-hop (known locally as “Senerap”) may not be to everyone’s taste, you can’t deny it’s influence and importance on the African music scene. Senegal, this little country in West Africa, probably has the most developed rap concert and recording scene anywhere on the continent. The amount of new groups coming out who record well-produced singles is pretty amazing. Their influences range from 50-Cent to Saain Supa Crew, and they produce a wide variety of sounds for the super-large speakers at Sandaga market in Dakar.
I’ve said this before, but it’s also amazing to me how the rap here is so non-violent. The rappers usually sing about the ladies, how much they love their country, how much they love their God or how much they love their parents. The occasional angry stuff almost sounds out of place in a scene devoted to hard-core rapping about happy things.
Many of you have written asking for more Daara-J. Over the last couple of years they’ve supplanted Positive Black Soul and Pee Froiss as the most popular rap group in Senegal. They’ve also started to make a name for themselves outside of Senegal, touching French and Belgian markets with their 2003 album Boomerang, relased on the UK label Wrasse.
I also promised some “nouveau talent” from the Dakar rap scene this month. So today and tomorrow I’ll be posting music from some new and promising groups on the scene. Today we get the Dakar All-Stars, a group of top Senegalese rappers from various neighbourhoods in Dakar, with a De La tribute track title.
ps- the picture in today’s post is of K’s wall-size mural that hangs in our living room. It’s by Dakar’s Les Mizérables graffiti crew who would be happy to make you a t-shirt or mural if you want one – send me an e-mail and I’ll put you in touch.
Daara-J – Number One
Dakar All-Stars – Ego Sunu Trip
thank you for offering this portal into the amazing world of west african music. i’ve long loved fela and am so grateful for this much broader contextualization of sound. and i’m loving the hip hop. please give us more if you will.
peace.
I am just hearing the songs for the second time. Really beautiful music.
Lately it is a way I start my day. Switch on the PC and surf to your blog, and see with what kind of (for me) new music I start off the day.
Thank you for sharing your music and thaughts.
I’m listening to NPR radio today (friday, dec 9) and they’re broadcasting a long feature story on Senegales rap, with lots of interview commentary from Daara-J. Lots of music, too. Great to hear this, and interesting how the timing coincides with your post.
[...] West Africa has long been known for its talented and well-promoted hip-hop, reggae and RnB acts like PBS, VIP, Daara J, MC Solaar, Pee Froiss, Tiken Jah and many others. On the other side of the continent things have moved a bit slower in terms of musicians breaking into the international market. Labels and production companies like Ogopa Deejays are helping to finally raise awareness about East Africa’s urban music scenes. [...]
[...] Since PBS’ heyday Daara J has emerged as the new popular Senegalese rap group. However, PBS’ members are still recording and releasing successful albums. [...]
[...] good to hear that Daara J minus DJ Makhtar is still producing good music… at least some of them. Daara J Family is the [...]