In Senegal, rap music and hip-hop tradition emerged within the Nineteen Eighties, pushed by the city youth. It has grown to be some of the in style music genres within the nation. However what position do feminine Senegalese artists play in growing and selling hip-hop? And what challenges do they face on this male-dominated trade? Mamadou Dramé, who has performed a number of research on Senegalese hip-hop, solutions these and different questions.
What characterises Senegalese hip-hop?
The yr 1988 marks the start of rap in Senegal. After a section of imitation, artists set themselves aside from the remainder of the world by incorporating native languages akin to Wolof, Serer, Pulaar and Joola alongside French and English.
They went on to infuse Senegalese rhythms into the music by utilizing conventional devices just like the kora, peule flute and xalam. In addition they began collaborating with musicians from different genres akin to mbalakh, also referred to as mbalax (suppose Daara J with Youssou Ndour, PBS with Baaba Maal, Pacotille with Fatou Laobé).
Sadly this originality light by the late Nineties, significantly when it got here to the usage of native sounds. This adopted the rise of hardcore rap – a style marked by its intense, politically charged lyrics and rejection of creating music only for enjoyable.
That stated, Senegalese rap has all the time been political and socially engaged, not often seen as artwork for artwork’s sake. In consequence, rappers have influenced Senegal’s political panorama. They made elevating consciousness amongst younger individuals a precedence, serving to them realise they might assist form their nation’s political trajectory. In 2000, for instance, hip-hop helped topple the regime of Abdou Diouf and produce a few change of presidency.
What position does rap play within the in style music scene as we speak?
Rap has performed a vital position within the native music scene in Senegal. At one level, it was probably the most listened to and extensively carried out style within the nation. Radio stations devoted prime afternoon slots for rap exhibits to construct their reputations. Artists who understood the significance of rappers and their skill to mobilise younger individuals typically created duets with them or used them as opening acts for his or her live shows.
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Rappers have additionally proven that music generally is a pathway to entrepreneurship. Many rappers have developed aspect ventures and enterprise constructions to generate earnings, within the course of making a constructive affect on the lives of younger individuals of their communities. This is the reason it’s extra frequent in Senegal to seek out rappers as opinion leaders than artists from different genres. For instance, Malal Talla, identified by his stage title Fou Malade (Loopy Sick), has turn into a distinguished determine within the broadcasting panorama and is repeatedly invited to touch upon present political points.
In relation to pan-Africanism, Didier Awadi is a wanted voice. Within the realm of youth employment and coaching, rapper Amadou Fall Ba has performed such a pivotal position that Dakar’s metropolis council was capable of set up the Maison des Cultures Urbaines, which works carefully with Guédiawaye Hip Hop, a collective of rappers.
Ladies are reported to be rising in rap. What’s the present state of affairs?
For a very long time, the rap scene was very misogynistic, with a really minimal feminine presence. There have been feminine rappers like Fatim de BMG 44, Sister Yaki within the group Timtimol, and Syster Joyce, to call just a few. Nonetheless, aside from just a few like Fatim, girls have typically performed second fiddle or been confined to the position of backing singers.
There have been makes an attempt to kind all-female teams, akin to Alif (Attaque Libératrice pour l’Infanterie Féministe), however many both left rap or music altogether, or transitioned to different genres. In recent times, we’re witnessing Senegalese girls asserting themselves in rap and taking over main roles. Whereas their numbers are nonetheless small in comparison with males, they’re definitely current and making their mark.
Which feminine voices stand out?
We may point out Mounaaya, who may be very well-known. She’s been within the enterprise for a really very long time. Toussa is from the identical technology. She’s well-known for her music Rap bou Djigene bi (Feminine Rap).
Mamy Victory rose to prominence by profitable Greatest Feminine Artist 2016 at Senegal’s Galsen Hip Hop Awards. There’s additionally OMG, who was a double finalist for the Prix Découvertes RFI actuality singing competitors in 2019. She was additionally named Greatest Feminine Artist on the 2018 Galsen awards.
What challenges do girls rappers face?
For a very long time, girls have been subjected to prejudices and social pressures. The damaging notion surrounding rap in its early days didn’t make issues any simpler. Navigating a predominantly male atmosphere has been difficult for younger girls. Dad and mom typically wouldn’t enable their daughters to affiliate with males, particularly since many occasions happen at evening.
Ladies face many biases and social judgements which have prompted them to drop out of music. Many are anticipated to marry and tackle household tasks somewhat than make rap. These are all obstacles that make it tough for girls to keep up a everlasting presence in hip-hop.
Nonetheless, feminine rappers are regularly carving out their house. Whereas they nonetheless have a protracted technique to go resulting from their comparatively small numbers, they aren’t backing down; as a substitute they’re more and more asserting their expertise and individuality.
