Click on the names in the frame above to see footnotes on the artists mentioned in the article
Adioa
Reggae group who first appeared in 1989. The name Adioa is made up from the
initials of 'African Dimension of I & I Soul' in the Soninke language.
The group was founded in 1986 by Maxidillick Adioa, a percussionist/singer.
Their albums include Toubab Bilé Safari Ambiance (Single 1987),
Buma Done Yene Blue Moon (Single 1988), Soweto man (Mango/Island
1990), Waxe (CD Maxidilick Adioa/RBM 1996)
Tribute
to my Original Brother called Max'Adioa (article in French)
Afromix
Discography
Africando
An afro-salsa band started in 1992 as a project by West African producer Ibrahim
Sylla and and the Cuban-trained Malian arranger Boncana Maiga which brought
together Senegalese vocalists (Pape Seck, Medoune Diallo and Nicolas Menheim)
with New York-based Salsa musicians. Most of the music is traditional Salsa
songs re-done with new lyrics in Wolof. Pap Seck died in 1995, and was replaced
by Gnonnas Pedro, from Benin and Ronnie Baró. Later albums had guest
appearances of a variety of Cuban and African singers. Their albums include
Africando Vol 1: Trovador (CD Melodie 1993), Africando Vol 2: Tierra
Traditional, Sabador (CD Mélodie 1994), Africando Vol 3: Gombo
Salsa (CD Mélodie 1996), El Mejor (CD Syllart 1998), Baloba
(CD Mélodie 1998), Betece (CD Syllart 2000), Mandali
(CD Sterne 2000), Africando Live (CD Sonodisc 2001).
| Links: African
Music Org notes World Music Portal notes & discography |
Artist Direct discography with Africando music samples Details of the album Mandali with music samples |
Bamba.J. Fall
Rap group consisting of K-Man, Baye Fall, Missal, Riddial
Albums include Gëm ak jëf (CD 1999).
Afromix discography
My Space page
Bideew Bou Bess
Rap Group consisting of Yaaram B, Masta B et PMD. This trio have made quite
a stir with their superb vocal harmonies, catchy tunes and razor-sharp rapping
in Wolof, French and English. They received great acclaim as the support act
for Yousou Ndour during his tour of Germany. They started playing rap about
1990.. Albums include Ndekete yoo (1999). They have a number of videos on YouTube some of which are listed at ckuik.com.
| Links: Home page My Space Afromix |
Last FM Discogs |
Big Mô and the Mau-Mau
Reggae group. Big Mô was born in the Casamance and has lived in France
since 1984. He calls his style of music Reggae-Ragga-Roots and "n'diaxass"
(Afro Reggae mix up) which is the Wolof word for mixed up. He is fond of mixing
things up, even in his lyrics, which switch back and forth between Wolof,
English, Jola, and French. He created the group Mau-Mau in 1994 at the age
of 25. Albums include Au Sejours Sejour (CD single 1993), Boucliers
de l'armée (Cass. 1995)
Official
home page
Doudou Cissoko
Singer-songwriter and kora player who uses the kora as the backing for his
own distinctive style of music - a gentle and laid-back Afro-European fusion.
His albums include Dimbaya (CD 2001)
Daara J
Rap group consisting of Ndongo D (Mamadou Lamine Seck), Fadda Freddy (Abdou
Fatha Seck), Lord Aladji Man (El Hadj Mansour Jacques Sagna). The name means
"School of life"in Wolof. They formed in 1994. Daara J were the
group who introduced the formula of Rap-Ragga-Soul (one sings, one raps, one
toasts) that still characterises much Senegalese hip hop and they sing in
French, English and Wolof. They also play reggae and soul music. Albums include:
Daara J (CD Declic 1996), Xalima (CD Declic 1998), Exodus
(Cass. 2000)
Tidiane Gaye & le Dieuf Dieul
Afro-jazz and mbalax band. Dieuf Dieul is a product of a merger in 1994 between
two Senegalese bands, Takku and Symphonie. The group consists of Tidiane Gaye:
vocals; Assane Diop: guitar, xalam; Abdou Karim Mané: bass; Ousseynou
Diop: drums; Moussa Sene: percussion; Gniancou Sembene: keyboards; Abdoulaye
N'Diaye: sax. Their albums include Waxonalako (CASs Africa Fête),
Salimata (CD Justin Time Records 2000)
Review
of Salimata
Bu-Baca Diop
Once a member of Star Band de Dakar and Number One de Dakar, he now lives
in Austrlia where he has formed a group performing mbalax and funk music.
Albums include Africa (Cass.), Stand (CD).
Idrissa Diop
Afro-jazz. Vocalist and percussionist who has been living in France for the
last twenty years. His music is a fusion of traditional music with jazz and
rock. Ethnically Idrissa Diop is a mixture of the Wolof, Serere and Peul tribes
of Senegal. He sings in English, French and Wolof. In the 80's he formed the
group Sixun which performed over 400 concerts around the world. In 1985 Idrissa
set up Idrissa et Gaiendes and recorded Misaal as a protest against
apartheid and other social issues affecting Africa at the time. Albums include
Couleurs (CD Musidisc 1989), Rebelle (CD Musidisc 1990),
Idrissa Diop (CD 1994), Conscience
Collective (CD Mikeli 2000). He has a number of videos on YouTube, and his music can be downloaded on iTunes.
Biography from 121music
My Space
Afromix discography
Vieux Diop
Singer-songwriter. His real name is Aliune. Vieux (meaning old in Wolof) is
a nickname from his grandfather. His first instrument at the age of 11 was
a drum kit which he played in the band and recordings of Yousou Ndour when
they were both teenagers. But he had to keep his fame hidden from his father
who disapproved of a musical career. He studied music in Dakar as well as
attending University mastering the kora, djembe and samba drums. In 1983 he
migrated to America. In the US he's worked as an outreach artist through the
famous Juilliard School of Music, introducing thousands of kids in New York
City public schools to African music, and he still performs regularly in high
schools and colleges around the country, as well as at Disney World in Florida.
His music reflects both his Senegalese background and his current residence
in the States. His albums include Dees (1994), Vieux Diop [Via Jo]
(CD Triloka 1995), Afrika Wassa (CD Triloka 2000)
Gateway
of Africa biography
Senegalaisement.com
has a biography and samples of his music in real audio format.
Artists Direct
iTunes
Wasis Diop
Singer, musician and composer. Wasis Diop emigrated to Paris in the late 80's.
His focus changed from his engineering studies at University to touring with
a jazz band. In 1990, Diop began working with Morrocan-rooted vocalist Amina
Annabi. The following year, a song he composed for her, "C'est Le Dernier
Qui A Raison (It Is The Last One Who Speaks Who Is Right)", placed first
in the Eurovision Song Contest. His song, "African Dream", was a
top forty hit in England, while, his soundtrack for his brother, Djibril Diop
Mambety's film, "Hyenes", was an international success. He sings
in English, French and Wolof. For more information go to Gateway
of Africa biography, or African
Music Encyclopaedia. His albums include No Sant (CD Triloka 1995)
and Toxu (CD Wrasse 1998)
Samples of his albums from Senegalaisement
Wikipedia
My Space
Wrasse Records biography
LastFM
iTunes
Djoloff
Rap group consisting of Aumar Sow, Doudou Seck et Mbégane N'Dour. Formed
in 1995, and named after the ancient Kingdom of Senegal from which all three
originate. Albums include Lawane (CD Universal Music 2001). For more
information see Frank
Bessem's Musiques d'Afrique on Djollof
Souleymane Faye
Singer-Songwriter with a gift for poetry. There is something very earthy,
real and honest about Faye's voice. This is perhaps a reflection of his eclectic
life experience, which includes drug abuse, alcoholism, a stint in an Italian
jail, hitting rock bottom in Manhattan and, of course, singing for a half
a dozen Senegalese bands including the famous Xalam. His music is a mixture
of jazz, soul, R&B and a hint of Cuban rumba. Albums include Nit Ki
(Cass.), Pain Boulette (Cass.), Cancat Vol1 (Cass.), Guew
(CD).
Review
of Guew
Fatou Gewel and the Groupe Sope Noreyni
Mbalax. Fatou Gewel is a wolof griot. She was born as Fatou Binetou Diouf,
June 1964 in Dakar. Many of her songs are Mouride praise songs which makes
her very popular. She deliberately loads her music with extra percussion whose
collective effect is riveting. The Groupe Sope Noreyni consists of Djiby Guisé
(xalam); Tapha Faye (keyboards); Abdoulaye Dieng (bass); Mbaye Gueye Ndiaye
(thiol djembé); Talibé Mbaye (talmbatt); Serigne Modou Diagne
(tougouné).
Her albums include Santa Ti Cheikh Ibra Fall (Cass. KSF Diagne 1994),
Fiirnde Santa Bamba (Cass. KSF Diagne 1995), Santeti Mame Diarra
Bousso (Cass. KSF Diagne 1998), Fatou (CD Stern 1998) Compliation
of her 3 cassettes
Review
of Fatou
Les Frères Guissé
Folkoric music based on Fulani (Peul) traditions. The three brothers, Djiby,
Cheik and Aliou Guissé originate from the Fouta Tooro area in the North
of Senegal from where Baaba Maal, Mansour Seck and Ngaari Laaw also originate.
Albums include Fama (Cass. Africa Fete 1997), Sire (Cass. 2000)
Omar Ka
Afro-Fulani-Beat . Born in Senegal in 1973. He worked a great deal with Baaba
Maal including tours of Senegal, Gambia and Guinea. In 1991 he formed the
Fula Band. In 1996 he moved to Holland where he made his first album H.O.W.
(CD Steaming Soundworks 1997) with two musical friends, Hanyo van Oosterom
and Willem Cramer. Omar used some of the traditional Fulani songs and stories
in his lyrics and music. His music features sensitive vocals and intricate
guitar melodies. In 1999 the Fula band joined him in Europe in a tour of Belgium
and Holland. With the Fula Band he has recorded Mbaaranaabe / Nomad
(CD Bertus Distributie 2000).
Fula
Band home page.
My Space
LastFM
Alioune Kassé and the Kassé Stars
Alioune Kassé is the son of Ibrá Kassé who is the father
of modern music in Senegal. From 1958 his father ran a nightclub the Miami,
and produced the band which became Etoile de Dakar. This band became the country's
school of modern music, giving opening opportunities to such stars as, among
others, Youssou N'Dour, Mar Seck and Doudou Sow. Alioune started in his father's
band. His break came in 1992 when the French cultural centre produced a record
to encourage local talent. Albums include Kara Vol 1 (CASs) Thiabi
bi (CASs), Diapason (CASs), Waw Coumba (CASs), Exsina
(CD Blue Silver 1998)
Discography
with sample tracks
Afromix
iTunes
LastFM
Toure Kunda
The brothers Ismaila and Sixu Touré began singing together in 1977.
After the success of their first album and tours they invited their brothers
Amadou and Ousamane to join them to form Touré Kunda. The four brothers
come from a Soninke family from the Casamance region of Senegal. Kunda is
the Soninke word for elephant, their totem. They were originally inspired
by traditional African rhythms and they featured instruments such as the kora,
balafon, and sabar. Soon these instruments were replaced by guitars and synthesisers.
In 1979 they moved to Paris playing their particular brand of mbalax-inspired
Afro-rock they called djambaadong, which is not unlike reggae. In 1983 leader
Amadou died of a heart attack during a concert. The band reorganized and went
on to become one of the top commercial attractions in France with their winning
mix of reggae, rock, funk, and traditional Senegalese rhythms. The band now
consists of just two brothers and they continue to be based in Paris and tour.
Their albums include Isamila and Sexu: Mandinka dong (LP 1979), E'mma
Africa (LP Celluloid 1980), Touré Kunda (LP Celluloid 1981),
Turu (LP Celluloid 1982), Amadou Tilo (LP Celluloid 1983), Casamance
au clair de lune (LP Celluloid 1984), Live (LP Celluloid 1984),
Natalia (Celluloid 1985), Touré Kunda 81-82 (CD Celluloid
1986), Touré Kunda 83-84 (CD Celluloid 1986), Best of Touré
Kunda 87 (CD Celluloid 1987), Touba Bi (1987), Salam (Trema
1990), Sounké (Trema 1991), Karadindi (CD 1992), Sili
Beto (CD Trema 1992), Mouslai (CD WEA 1996), The Touré Kunda
collection (CD Sony 1997), Okunaya (1998), The best of Touré
Kunda 98 (CD Arcade 1998), Légende (CD ABN Music/ Une Musique
1999), Terra Saabi (CD Edel records 2000), Le World... Afrique
(CD Suave 2001).
Kine Lam
Solo female singer who has been on the music scene since the '80s and now
records both acoustic traditional records and state-of-the-art mbalax. After
a career in the theatre she founded the group Kaggu in 1989. Many of her songs
are Mouride praise songs. Albums include Cheikh Anta Mbacke (LP Syllart
1989), Galass (Vol. 3) (Cass.), Balla Aisa Boury (Cass.), Touba
Belel (Cass. 1991), Leer-Gui (Cass. KSF), Borom Taif (Cass.
Talla Diagne), Noreyni (Cass. KSF), Sunu Cossaan No. 1 (Cass.
Talla Diagne) Praise (CD Shanachie 1995) , Deurbi (Cass. Talla
Diagne 1996), Sey (CD World Connection 1996), Sunu Cosaan 2
(Cass. Talla Diagne 1997), Le Retour (Cass. Jololi 1998), Kine Lam
et Soda Mama (CD).
Lemzo Diamono
A crossover band with a driving, rock-oriented sound, led by Super Diamono's
veteran guitar ace Lamine Faye--one of four legendary musical brothers in
Dakar. Lemzo Diamono was formed as an off-shoot of the Super Diamono de Dakar.
A part of Diamono's musicians, headed by Tapha Faye (keyboards) and Lamine
Faye (lead guitar), wanted to go along different musical lines and left the
band to create Lemzo Diamono. Since 1992, they recorded about ten cassettes
in Senegal, only one CD reached Europe until now. This CD, Marimbalax,
is in fact a collection of songs from three cassettes (volume 1: Jom, Volume
2: Setsima, and Simb) recorded between 1992 and 1995.
Albums include Lemzo Diamono Group Vol.1: Jom (Cass Talla Diagne 1992),
Vol.2: Setsima (Cass Saprom 1992), Vol.3: Xarnu Bi (Cass Adama
Sene 1993), Masla-Bi (1ere Partie) (Cass Talla Diagne 1994) Le Lemzo
Diamono presente M. Lamine Maiga: Akara (Cass. Talla Diagne 1994), Hors
Serie: Simb (Cass Talla Diagne 1995), Maxou & Lemzo Diamono Vol.3:
Demb Ak Tey (Cass Talla Diagne 1996), Lemzo Diamono presente Gallo
Thiello: Taxi Arrete (Cass Talla Diagne 1996), Lemzo Diamono Vol.5
(Cass. Talla Diagne 1996), Lemzo Diamono presente Mass Ndiaye: Petaw
(Cass KSF 1996), Marimbalax (CD; Stern 1997), En Live Diapason vol
1 (Cass KSF 1997) En Live Diapason vol 2 (Cass KSF 1997), Co
Co Rico (Cass 1998)
Cheikh Lo
Mbalax. Softening the hard edges of mbalax and incorporating elements of salsa,
Zairian Congolese, rumba, folk and jazz, Lo has created an infectious, hook-laden,
style of pop music. The son of a successful jeweler, Lo was born in Bobo Dioulasso,
in Burkino Faso. He grew up speaking Bambara, Wolof and French. As a youngster,
he became fascinated with music and taught himself to play drums and guitar.
In 1976, he accepted an invitation to join a local group, Orchestra Volta
Jazz, as a percussionist. He remained with the band until moving to the capital
city of Dakar in 1980. Lo quickly became involved with the music scene of
Dakar. After a three-year stint as drummer for progressive vocalist Ouza,
he joined the house band at the Hotel Savana in 1984. Although he performed
with the group for a little over a year, the experience exposed him to a global
range of pop influences. Emigrating to France, in 1985, Lo found work as a
session drummer in Paris. Soon afterwards, he purchased his first guitar and
began writing songs. Several recording projects fell through until he convinced
Youssou Ndour to produce an album for him, Ne La Thiass, which was
released in 1996. In 1997 Lo received “Best Newcomer” and “Kora
All-American” awards in South Africa. In 1999 he received the Ordre National
De Merite De Leon from the president of Senegal. He is a Bay Fall, a sect
of the Mouride sufi brotherhood and many of his songs are Mouride praise songs
or political in nature. Albums include Doxamdeme (Cass. 1990), Ne
La Thiass (CD Jololi 1996) Bambay Gueej (CD World Circuit 1999),
Cheikh Lô Inedits (CD World Circuit)
Discography
with sample tracks
Ismael Lo
Guitarist, harmonica player and singer. Ismael Lo, born in 1956 in Niger,
and grew up in Rufisque near Dakar, is the son of a Wolof Senegalese civil
servant who loved American soul music and a Nigerian mother. Lo built his
first guitar from a cooking oil can, and learned to play harmonica and guitar
together by nailing his harmonica to the wall. He loved music but never considered
performing until he was invited to play on a local television show, "Tele
Variety". He initially refused but accepted an invitation a few months
late. He was an instant hit and was paid to appear the next week. In 1979
he was invited to play with Super Diamano, a mbalax blues band, for five years
before leaving to start his own solo career. He and his 12-piece band play
strong, complex, percussion-laden mbalax songs that discuss important topics
in Senegal ranging from racism and respect to immigration. Lo says: "I
speak of racism, poverty, famine, and the relationships among people".
Albums include Xalat (Cass. Celluloid 1984), Xiff (Cass. Celluloid
1985), Natt (Cass. Celluloid 1986), Wadiour, Gor Sayina,
Diawar (Cass. Syllart 1988), Afrique Sunu (Ilporo 1991),
Khumbeul (Cass. Ilopro, 1992), Ismael Lo (1992), Iso (CD
Mango - Polygram 1994), Jammu Africa (CD Mercury - Universal 1996),
Best Of Plus (Cass Talla Diagne 1996), Best Of Folk (Cass Talla
Diagne 1996), Jiguen (Cass. Origines 1999), Tajabone (CD Barclay
2000), Dabah (CD Wrasse 2001), Vol. 1; Debakh (Cass TV5 2001)
Vol. 2; Mame (Cass TV5 2001), The Ballader (CD).
Discography
with samples
Baaba Maal
Baaba Maal was born in Podor in 1953 on the Senegal River into a Toucouleur
family. Unlike most of Senegal's stars he is not from a griot family, his
family being fishermen. His father worked in the fields. Baaba's mother was
a musician who sang and wrote her own songs educating her son in the musical
forms of the area and encouraging the young Baaba to value intelligent and
thoughtful lyrics. Baaba went to school in St. Louis where he won an Art scholarship
to study in Dakar. His plan was to become a music teacher, rather than a performer.
There he joined Asly Fouta a group of 70 musicians and spent his time with
the group learning as much as he could about the local musical instruments
and how they work. On leaving college he toured West Africa with longtime
friend, guitarist and Griot, Mansour Seck, soaking up more knowledge. "It's
traditional for young musicians to do that. When you arrive in every village
you do a gig. This makes you friendly with all the young people who are in
the village. The next day the young people take you to visit the oldest person
who knows about the history of the village and the country and about the history
of the music". From there Baaba lived in Paris for several years, studying
at the Conservatoire des Beaux Arts. In 1984, on the death of his mother he
returned to Senegal and formed his band Daande Lenol (Voice of the People).
He sings in Wolof, French and English and toured extensively overseas. In
spite of his international fame he seeks to develop new talent and continues
to return regularly to his home region where he has initiated many local development
projects. He has a number of videos on YouTube.
Albums include Taara (CD Syllart 1987), Wango (CD Syllart
1988), Djam Leelii (CD Mango 1989),Baayo (CD Mango 1991),
Olel (CASs 1991), Lam Toro (CD Mango 1993), Yélé
(Cass 1993), Firin' in fouta (CD Mango 1994), Tiim Timol (Cass.
1994), Tono (Cass. 1994), Souvenirs (Cass. 1996), Nomad
soul (CD Virgin 1998), Jombaajo (CD Syllart 1999), Live at The
Royal Festival Hall (CD Auvidis 2000), Missing you [Mi yeewnii]
(CD Naive 2001), Generation Nouvelle (Cass.), Sunugal (Cass.),
Thiayo (Cass), Toure (Cass.)
BAABA MAAL & DAANDE LENOL: Aiwa (Cass. 1996), Diapason des stars
97 Vol 2 (Cass.), Laamdo (Cass.), Live à Londres et à
St Louis (Cass.)
BAABA MAAL & MANSOUR SECK: Djam Leelii (Cass. 1989), Ngawla
(Cass.)
Wikipedia
Official
Home Page
Unofficial
home page
Discography
with samples
My Space
LastFM
Jimi Mbaye
At ten years old Jimi Mbaye built his first guitar out of fishing line and
gasoline cans. At twenty he'd scraped up enough money to buy a used Fender
Stratocaster. Early on he met Youssou N'Dour and together they became rising
stars on Senegal's club scene, playing mbalax music. They created the "Super
Etoile" band together in 1979. His only solo album Dakar Heart
came in 1997. He continues to perform with Youssou Ndour.
Discography
with sample tracks
Wikipedia
My Space
iTunes
LastFM
Alioune Mbaye Nder
Mbalax. Alioune Mbaye Nder was a singer of Lemzo Diamono, until he created
his own group Le Setsima in 1995. He is known in Senegal as the "Prince
of Mbalax". He found himself drawn to music at an early age and accompanied
his father (a griot and drummer) to various festivities and ceremonies. His
trademark apart from his impressive voice, is his base-ball cap, he wont be
seen without it. His songs focus on social issues including orphans, women's
issues and marriage in comtempory society. Albums include Aduna (Cass.
1995), Lënëën (Cass. 1997), and Aladji (Cass.
1998), Nder et le Setsima Group (CD World Connection 1999), Pansement
(CD Setsima 2000), Super Thiof (Cass. 2000), and Live Anniversaire
(Cass. 2001)
Biography
Discography
with sample tracks
El Hadj N`Diaye
N'Diaye's mother comes from the Matam region, his father from the Casamance.
He grew up in Dakar and studies economics at university. From there however
he went on to act in two important films--"Camp de Thiaroye" and
"Guelwarî"--by the celebrated Senegalese filmmaker Ousmane
Sembène. Activism and art have always gone hand in hand for N'Diaye.
He sings about official corruption, torture victims in the Cassamance struggle,
the troubles of the disenfranchised Tuareg people in northern Mali, and the
forgotten shadow people who inhabit Senegal's poorest districts. N'Diaye has
faced hostility and censorship for his brave subject matter, but he has never
backed down. He currently directs arts activities for a non-government organization
called Environment, Development and Action (ENDA). He calls his division,
Siggi ENDA Art, "siggi" being Wolof for "lift up your head."
Internationally he has performed at Midem in Cannes, Womex in Berlin, and
Cinars in Montreal. Albums include Thiaroye (CD), Xel, (CD)
Discography
with samples
Youssou N'Dour
Etoile de Dakar
Band of the nightclub Miami in Dakar produced by Ibrá Kassé
and its predecessors dating since 1958. This band became the country's school
of modern music, giving opening opportunities to such stars as, among others,
Youssou N'Dour, Mar Seck and Doudou Sow. Albums include Etoile de Dakar
Vol 1 (Cass. Touba 1978), Vol 2: Thiapathioly (Cass. Touba 1979),
Vol 3: Yalay Doggal (Cass. Touba 1980), Vol 4: Xaley Etoile
(Cass. Touba 1980), Vol 5: Maleo (Cass. Touba 1981), Tolou Badou
Ndiaye (LP ET 1980), Thiapathioly (LP ET 1980), Xalis (LP
M. Diaw/Bellot 1981), Etoile 2000 de Dakar Vol 1, 2 & 3 (Cass.
Touba 1981),
Mar Seck et Le Etoile de Dakar: Volume 1: Diap Sa Lameigne (Cass. TEC
1981)
Aladji Faye de Le Etoile de Dakar: Volume 1: Dans 'Koleure' (Cass.
TEC, 1981)
Pee Froiss
Rap group consisting of Kool Kocc6, Bibson, Xuman, Gee Bass. Pee Froiss are
more political in their lyrics and are not afraid to touch hot irons such
as the covered-up assassination of an electoral supervisor. Albums include:
Wala wala bok (1996), Affair Bou Graw (1997), Ah Simm
(1999), F.R.O.I.S.S.
Positive Black Soul
Rap Group. Positive Black Soul (PBS) is the group that emerged in the early
90's to spear head the hip-hop movement of Senegal. It began in 1989 when
two local rival giants of rap, Didier Awadi and Doug-e-tee (Amadou Barry)
merged their groups. They have to their name several international releases
and have made a number of world tours, earning them the status of ambassadors
of West-African Hip Hop. The fervent backing of Dakar's youth brought them
to the attention of international stars, who pushed them on the road to global
success. MC Solaar, the French rap star, invited them on his European tour
in 1992 after they nearly stole his act during his first ever Dakar gig. An
appearance on Baaba Maal's classic album Firin' In Fouta led to a contract
with Island Records and the 1995 release of Salaam. After that Dakar's largest
concert venues, Sorano and CCF, couldn't fit the numbers of screaming teenagers
who queued for hours to attend the star-studded events. Albums include: Boul
Fale (Cass. 1994), Boul Bes (Cass. 1995), Salaam (CD 1996),
Daw Thiow (Cass. 1996), Fo Deuk (CD 1997), New York-Paris-Dakar
(1997), Wakh Feign (Cass. 1998), Wouyouma, Révolution
2000, Run Cool (CD 2001)
Rap'Adio
Rap group consisting of Iba, Bibson et KT. In concert they characteristically
where balaclavas. Their first album violently attack all the established bands
accusing them of have distorted the purpose of hip hop by failing to address
society's flaws. Rap'Adio see themselves as the 'soldiers of the street' who
wrung hip hop from the hands of the well-to-do kids and passed it to those
with little means. They have made rap the language of protest and rebellion.
Albums include Ku Weet Xam Sa Bopp (Cass. 1998), Soldaaru Mbed
(Cass. 2001)
Coumba Gawlo Seck
Many of her songs are Mouride praise songs.