Bill Diakhou – Tani

Senegalese hip-hop BANGERS. Well, at least tracks 1, 2 and 6. Anyone who raps that hardcore over a kora and an 808 gets high marks in my book (see track 5). I appreciate the English-language hook on track 2, sung by someone with a lump in their throat or a taste for Antony (of Antony and the Johnsons). And track 7 is just plain smoove.

For more music from the youth of Dakar, check out the excellent compilations from Nomadic Wax. If you are obsessed with Africa’s oldest and most internationally-established rap movement and/or are a teenager from Senegal, check out the underground universe of Senegalese rap blogs on Skyrock (French Myspace). Social networking works.

Face A
Tani
Roboual
Djiguen
Pompiers

Face B
Prési
Kole
Gorgui
Take It Easy