Matador (WA BMG 44)
Encyclopedia
Matador is one of the most prominent figures of underground Hip Hop
in Senegal
. Founding member of the Thiaroye’s group, WA BMG 44, Matador has toured throughout the world gaining an international recognition from the underground hip hop scenes abroad. Since 2006, his struggle to represent the voiceless youth of his home country has taken a renewed turn with the creation of his structure, Africulturban in Pikine
. Through this space dedicated to the youth, Matador reiterates his social and political engagement while pursuing his role of “Number One System Enemy” and “General Major Chief of the Dying People Army”.
, having all the young people from this Dakar
’s banlieue following and coming to support its crew each time they were performing. With respect, Wa BMG was one of the most energetic performers of Hip Hop Galsen
. Before the release of their first production in 1998, the group then added to its name the number 44 in memory of the Senegalese Tirailleurs
shot in Thiaroye, on December, 1st 1944, by the French colonial army after having demanded compensations for their active participation in the French army during the second world war. Nowadays, the name Wa BMG 44 is often interpreted as “Wa Bokk Menmen Guestu” which in wolof literally means "All together to think better".
After their first release “Def Ci Yaw” which furiously spoke out against Senegalese government corruption and thievery, Wa BMG 44 tours throughout Europe slowly building a name for itself inside the wider underground hip hop community. In 2002, during a trip organised in Brussels
, the group meets with the rapper and producer SMIMOOZ, with whom they record a year later the compilation "BXL-DAKAR des millions de mikes à parcourir" featuring rappers from Brussels like Pasco, Vagabond, Uman, Pitcho, Lady N & Catseyes as well as the group Pee Froiss
from Dakar. In 2004, Wa BMG 44 pursues its impressive ascension and definitively imposed itself as one of the most respected figures of Hip Hop Galsen. After recording their classic hip-hop anthem "44" on African Underground Vol.1, they go back in studio in Belgium and work on their highly anticipated second full length release. This album, called "44 4 Life" comes out in 2004 scoring a nationwide hit with the first single "Jox Ma Sa 5". For the summer tour of this second album, Wa BMG welcomes the female MC Fatim who, since then, has become 44's first lady of honour.
Intensively touring throughout Europe, Matador comes back more permanently to Dakar in 2005 in order to release, in 2007, his first solo album, allying rap and slam. Since its release, “Xippil Xoll” has been hugely acclaimed by the Senegalese audience. Still resolutely militant, Matador initiates in November 2009 his Xippil Xol Fagarou Tour through which he aims at raising public awareness on HIV/AIDS prevention. He is then joined on stage by Simon, Fou Malade, Tigrim Bi, Wa Keur Gui, Syndikate 21, 5Kiem Underground, Sen Kumpe, Alien Zik, La Section B, One X and other artists of Hip Hop Galsen. After the devastating flooding which occurred in September 2009 in Dakar, Matador releases a new music video in support of the impacted Senegalese population. ‘Catastrophe’ is a song which was recorded over a beat by AfricanHipHop radio DJ Threesixty.
Following the 2005 flooding which completely destroyed the Thiaroye’s neighbourhood where he grew up, Matador tried to organise a huge concert with many Senegalese musicians in order to support the victims of this catastrophe. A year later, with the only support of the Pikine’s Mayor and the director of its cultural centre, Matador was able to create his structure, Africulturban, a cultural space dedicated to the urban youth. Africulturban is thus an hip hop association which hosts a recording studio as well as a radio, organises since 2006 a festival, Festa2H, initiates several projects such as “Hip Hop Education” which intervenes in elementary schools and which has created a DJ school, “African Turntablism” animated by Pee Froiss DJ, Gee Bayss
. With his structure, Matador really contributes in offering to the youth at the peripheries of the Senegalese capital a space which is theirs and where their dreams can come true. Africulturban is also an active member of the organising committee of “72H Hip Hop”.
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...
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...
. Founding member of the Thiaroye’s group, WA BMG 44, Matador has toured throughout the world gaining an international recognition from the underground hip hop scenes abroad. Since 2006, his struggle to represent the voiceless youth of his home country has taken a renewed turn with the creation of his structure, Africulturban in Pikine
Pikine
Pikine is a city in the Pikine Department of the Dakar Region of Senegal. Lying to the east of Dakar city centre, in 2005 it had a population of 834,246. The departement includes the villages of Yeumbeul, Thiaroye, Mbao, and Keur Massar Malika...
. Through this space dedicated to the youth, Matador reiterates his social and political engagement while pursuing his role of “Number One System Enemy” and “General Major Chief of the Dying People Army”.
Biography
Matador, aka Xarale made his first steps in Hip Hop in 1984 as a dancer first; he was then 12 years old. It is only in 1992, that Matador, of his real name Babacar Diagne, creates with two of his school friends, Mokhtar and Gueye (Omar) – where “BMG” initials come from – the group which later will be called Wa BMG 44. BMG soon comes to represent the whole neighbourhood of ThiaroyeThiaroye
Thiaroye is the name of a historic town in Sénégal, situated in the suburbs of Dakar, on the southeast coast of the Cap-Vert peninsula, between Pikine and Rufisque....
, having all the young people from this Dakar
Dakar
Dakar is the capital city and largest city of Senegal. It is located on the Cap-Vert Peninsula on the Atlantic coast and is the westernmost city on the African mainland...
’s banlieue following and coming to support its crew each time they were performing. With respect, Wa BMG was one of the most energetic performers of 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...
. Before the release of their first production in 1998, the group then added to its name the number 44 in memory of the Senegalese Tirailleurs
Senegalese Tirailleurs
The Senegalese Tirailleurs were a corps of colonial infantry in the French Army recruited from Senegal,French West Africa and throughout west, central and east Africa, the main province of the French colonial empire...
shot in Thiaroye, on December, 1st 1944, by the French colonial army after having demanded compensations for their active participation in the French army during the second world war. Nowadays, the name Wa BMG 44 is often interpreted as “Wa Bokk Menmen Guestu” which in wolof literally means "All together to think better".
After their first release “Def Ci Yaw” which furiously spoke out against Senegalese government corruption and thievery, Wa BMG 44 tours throughout Europe slowly building a name for itself inside the wider underground hip hop community. In 2002, during a trip organised in Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
, the group meets with the rapper and producer SMIMOOZ, with whom they record a year later the compilation "BXL-DAKAR des millions de mikes à parcourir" featuring rappers from Brussels like Pasco, Vagabond, Uman, Pitcho, Lady N & Catseyes as well as the group Pee Froiss
Pee Froiss
Pee Froiss is a hip hop group formed in Dakar, Senegal in 1993. It was originally produced by another hip hop group from that city, Positive Black Soul, and since recorded with the duo. The band's music is rapped in Wolof, French, and English and features traditional Senegalese instruments such as...
from Dakar. In 2004, Wa BMG 44 pursues its impressive ascension and definitively imposed itself as one of the most respected figures of Hip Hop Galsen. After recording their classic hip-hop anthem "44" on African Underground Vol.1, they go back in studio in Belgium and work on their highly anticipated second full length release. This album, called "44 4 Life" comes out in 2004 scoring a nationwide hit with the first single "Jox Ma Sa 5". For the summer tour of this second album, Wa BMG welcomes the female MC Fatim who, since then, has become 44's first lady of honour.
Intensively touring throughout Europe, Matador comes back more permanently to Dakar in 2005 in order to release, in 2007, his first solo album, allying rap and slam. Since its release, “Xippil Xoll” has been hugely acclaimed by the Senegalese audience. Still resolutely militant, Matador initiates in November 2009 his Xippil Xol Fagarou Tour through which he aims at raising public awareness on HIV/AIDS prevention. He is then joined on stage by Simon, Fou Malade, Tigrim Bi, Wa Keur Gui, Syndikate 21, 5Kiem Underground, Sen Kumpe, Alien Zik, La Section B, One X and other artists of Hip Hop Galsen. After the devastating flooding which occurred in September 2009 in Dakar, Matador releases a new music video in support of the impacted Senegalese population. ‘Catastrophe’ is a song which was recorded over a beat by AfricanHipHop radio DJ Threesixty.
Following the 2005 flooding which completely destroyed the Thiaroye’s neighbourhood where he grew up, Matador tried to organise a huge concert with many Senegalese musicians in order to support the victims of this catastrophe. A year later, with the only support of the Pikine’s Mayor and the director of its cultural centre, Matador was able to create his structure, Africulturban, a cultural space dedicated to the urban youth. Africulturban is thus an hip hop association which hosts a recording studio as well as a radio, organises since 2006 a festival, Festa2H, initiates several projects such as “Hip Hop Education” which intervenes in elementary schools and which has created a DJ school, “African Turntablism” animated by Pee Froiss DJ, Gee Bayss
Gee Bayss
Gee Bayss is one of the pioneer DJ's in West Africa. Member of the group, Pee Froiss, he toured throughout the world with his sure-fire turntablism which had crowds jumping whenever the group was performing...
. With his structure, Matador really contributes in offering to the youth at the peripheries of the Senegalese capital a space which is theirs and where their dreams can come true. Africulturban is also an active member of the organising committee of “72H Hip Hop”.
Discography
- 1998 – Def ci Yaw
- 2003 – BXL-DAKAR: des millions de mikes a parcourir (Compilation with SMIMOOZ)
- 2004 – 44 4 Life (Senegal release only)
- 2007 – Xippil Xoll (“Seeing with Eyes Wide Open”)
Distinctions / Affiliations
- 2004 – Best Single and Best Album – Hip Hop Awards (Dakar, Senegal)
- 2009 – Best Hip Hop and R&B Artist – Sunu Music Awards (Dakar, Senegal)
- 2010 – Representative of Senegal at Hip Hop Kankpe Festival (Cotonou, Benin)
External links
- Xippil Xol music video http://www.africanhiphop.com/musicvideos/xippil-xol-fagarou/#ixzz0gwC2bQpc
- Festa 2H Festival http://www.myspace.com/festa2hfestival