sahelsounds

It's late night, and the crackling radio is broadcasting a Wolof griot.


griot


Next, an excerpt from an interview I conducted with a young rapper from Cinquieme. He talks about the obstacles to music, government supression, lack of resources and financial support for the arts. Following, is an acapella rap in Pulaar and Hassaniya with an explanation.

(brief translation of rap: "i say, that in this country there are many problems, no organization, we don't have any solidarity between the white...the first verse is in pulaar, the second is in hassaniya...the refrain says that while many rappers are making music just to attract some , i'm making rap to speak the truth, all the time, just until the end of time...")


interview with abu


abu's rap and explanation


Talking with an older, traditional Pulaar folk musician, Daarorgal Fulbe, I pose the question as to what he thinks about the youth today making rap music. His reply, in French, is interesting:


("It's now that rap music has come...but it's existed for a long time. A very long time. Me, when I was 4 or 5, with my older brother who rapped. If I sing in Pulaar you'll understand......Is that rap? So actually, rap just modernized, but it's been here a long time...")


Daarogal Fulbe on rap


In conclusion, two Mauritanian tracks copied from a bootleg CD purchased in Cinquieme.


Diamen Tekky (with Noura Mint Seymali


RJ

Labels: hiphop, mauritania

A recording from a practice session of an upcoming concert here in Nouakchott. I'm playing some sparse guitar accompaniment with two musicians from Senegal, Sidi Baba and Khadim, who sing and play the Djembe respectively.

hayo


Omar's shop in Cinquieme, the kids are playing some game, singing a song.

kids

Salif plays a production he's made on his computer, a fusion of hip hop and traditional Pulaar folk guitar.


salif


Outside Sekou's studio, a Baye Fall group, followers of one of the Senegal brotherhoods pass by, drumming, collecting alms.


bayfal

Labels: hiphop, mauritania, nouakchott, senegal

A wedding in cinquieme, held under a tent, in one of the numerous sand courtyards in the neighborhood. You can't not be a spectator. There is an electric guitar and a dozen hand drums, as well as a griot singer.

soninke wedding


Later that night, the wedding moves indoors. I stand out in the darkness outside the mosque to take a recording from over the wall.

drums


Salif is a Pulaar folk musician; guitar student and instructor. He has a hair salon seperated by a sheet from the tailor next door.

pulaar folk


Sekou and Cos2Cos have a recording studio. It is also a haircutting salon and cell phone repair shop. Cos2Cos puts together a reggaeton track, and Abid, a rapper from the Central African Republic stops by for an impromptu improvisation.


studio recording


At sunset in the marche capital - Hassiniya music blares from the cassette shop nearby while the cars fight their way through the gridlock.


sunset

Labels: hiphop, mauritania, nouakchott, pulaar, soninke