a history of hip hop

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 suppression, lack of resources and financial support for the arts. Following, is an A Capella 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

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