Baay Sooley
Encyclopedia
Baay Sooley is one of the best known hip hop
dancer in Senegal
. He toured worldwide as the dancer of the PBS
crew and still continues his ascension as a well-recognised choreograph after having realised the choreography of the first ever hip hop musical comedy The Extraordinary Stories of the Poto-Poto Children. Recently, his artistic talents have been once again renewed with the creation of his street wear brand, Bull Doff.
Besides, while well-known and recognised for his dancing talents, Baay Sooley surprised many of the Hip Hop Galsen
when releasing in 2004, his debut album “Ndol”, mixing hip hop, reggae, ragga, and dancehall.
Coming back to his pet expression, between 2005 and 2006, Baay Sooley realises the choreography of the first hip hop musical comedy, “The extraordinary stories of the Poto-Poto Children” performed by the members of AURA (United Artists for African Rap)
. His choreographic realisation has since then been touring throughout West Africa
.
In 2008, Baay Sooley lands his latest surprise to Hip Hop Galsen and launches his street wear brand, Bull Doff. Revealing himself as the creator and designer of this new line, Baay Sooley can be proud of dressing up many of the contemporary artists active on the Hip Hop Galsen
scene. With respect, Baay Sooley stands out as an amazing example of how resourceful hip hop artists are and how entrepreneurial mind can motivate their always renewed initiatives.
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
dancer in Senegal
Senegal
Senegal , officially the Republic of Senegal , is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north...
. He toured worldwide as the dancer of the PBS
Positive Black Soul
Positive Black Soul is a hip hop group based in Dakar, Senegal, one of the first such collectives in the country. Founded in 1989, the group is composed of Didier Sourou Awadi and Amadou Barry , both of whom had previously been in other hip hop groups...
crew and still continues his ascension as a well-recognised choreograph after having realised the choreography of the first ever hip hop musical comedy The Extraordinary Stories of the Poto-Poto Children. Recently, his artistic talents have been once again renewed with the creation of his street wear brand, Bull Doff.
Biography
Baay Sooley, of his real name Souleymane Diagne, is the most prominent figure of hip hop dance in Senegal. Having grown up in an environment surrounded by dance (his father was working at the famous Sorano Theatre in Dakar), Baay Sooley starts at a very early age his first dancing performances with his elder brother. With the arrival of Hip Hop in the Senegalese capital, he jumps into the movement being even among the first to professionalise its dancing expression while most of the community was already turning towards the MC performance. Thanks to his passion and perseverance in hip hop dance, Baay Sooley soon becomes the official dancer of the now famous PBS. When PBS splits in 2001, Baay Sooley integrates the new formation , PBS Radikal.Besides, while well-known and recognised for his dancing talents, Baay Sooley surprised many of the Hip Hop Galsen
Hip Hop Galsen
- Beginnings of movement : Following an historical process of appropriation of American popular music by Senegal,For e.g. Jazz as well as Latin American music such as salsa or pachanga were popular in Senegalese cities from the 1940’s and until recently. Hip Hop emerged in the Senegalese capital...
when releasing in 2004, his debut album “Ndol”, mixing hip hop, reggae, ragga, and dancehall.
Coming back to his pet expression, between 2005 and 2006, Baay Sooley realises the choreography of the first hip hop musical comedy, “The extraordinary stories of the Poto-Poto Children” performed by the members of AURA (United Artists for African Rap)
AURA (United Artists for African Rap)
AURA is a collective of 17 hip hop artists coming from ten different countries in West Africa and who are committed to use their voices and music for Africa’s development...
. His choreographic realisation has since then been touring throughout West Africa
West Africa
West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. Geopolitically, the UN definition of Western Africa includes the following 16 countries and an area of approximately 5 million square km:-Flags of West Africa:...
.
In 2008, Baay Sooley lands his latest surprise to Hip Hop Galsen and launches his street wear brand, Bull Doff. Revealing himself as the creator and designer of this new line, Baay Sooley can be proud of dressing up many of the contemporary artists active on the Hip Hop Galsen
Hip Hop Galsen
- Beginnings of movement : Following an historical process of appropriation of American popular music by Senegal,For e.g. Jazz as well as Latin American music such as salsa or pachanga were popular in Senegalese cities from the 1940’s and until recently. Hip Hop emerged in the Senegalese capital...
scene. With respect, Baay Sooley stands out as an amazing example of how resourceful hip hop artists are and how entrepreneurial mind can motivate their always renewed initiatives.
External links
- Baay Sooley official website http://www.baayesouley.com/accueil.php
- Bull Doff http://baaysooley.blogspot.com/2008/02/my-street-wear-bulldoff-fighting.html