Didier Awadi
Encyclopedia
Didier Awadi is a Senegalese rapper
and the most visible figure of Francophone West African Hip Hop
. As a founding member of Positive Black Soul
(PBS) with Duggy Tee, Awadi toured around the world contributing to the international popularity of Hip Hop Galsen
. Awadi works as a solo artist accompanied by his crew PBS Radikal. He participates in the structuring of the musical sector in Senegal
through his label, recording studio, and rehearsal space, Studio Sankara. Awadi offers a conscious and revolutionary music strengthened by articulated and rooted messages. His motivation and inspiration stands in the Burkinabé
revolutionary, Thomas Sankara
's phrase: "Let's dare invent our future!"
, Senegal
, Didier Awadi is originally from Benin
and Cap Verde. In 1984, while Hip Hop was slowly emerging on the Dakar
scene, Awadi created the group Syndikat. In 1989, he formed Positive Black Soul with fellow hip hop musician Duggy Tee with the desire of promoting a positive image of Africa. In 1992, PBS is chosen by the French rapper with Senegalese origins, MC Solaar
, to be the first part of his show touring throughout France
. With a growing popularity, they record in 1994, a first track "Boul Faale" ("Don't worry") in which they denounce the local corruption of the political system. This track became part of their first album, "Salaam" released in 1995 after a European tour and signed under the label, Island Records. During fourteen years, PBS had multiple international collaborations (KRS-One, Mc Solaar, Princess Erika, K-Mel, Kimani Marley, etc.) and toured worldwide while releasing K7 and CD in Senegal and internationally. Throughout his career, as member of PBS and later as solo artist, Awadi articulated a militant and critical discourse in favour of a brighter panafrican future.
In 2001, the two members decided to start a solo careers. A year later, Awadi released his first solo album, “Kaddu Gor” ("Word of Honour") which received the Radio France Internationale (RFI) World Music Award in 2003. After announcing the formation of his new crew, PBS-Radikal with Baay Sooley
, Carlou D and Noumounda Cissoko, Awadi signed with Sony Music. In 2005, he released his second solo album, “Un Autre Monde est Possible” (“Another World is Possible”) in which he calls for the emergence of a better society based on equity, fairness, justice and freedom. In 2006, he released “Sunugaal”, a plea for the development of Senegal and against the illegal immigration. In October 2007, Awadi presented his upcoming project, “Presidents of Africa” on the Bataclan (theatre)
stage in Paris with artists coming from all over the continent. This fourth album was released in April 2010.
In 1998, Awadi began to contributing to the musical sector of Dakar with the creation of his first home studio, "Taf-Taf Production" ("Quickly" in wolof - but well-done as Awadi stresses) and the first renting of his PA system. In 2001, he produced a one-hour TV show mirroring the local hip hop culture, "Senerap". In 2003, he created a festival dedicated to the hip hop culture, "Senerap International". That same year, "Taf-Taf Production" became "Studio Sankara", a more formal and professional structure of music production actively producing advertising spots. In 2009, as a joint initiative with music professionals and hip hop artists, Awadi organized the first edition of "72H Hip Hop", a three-day event celebrating Hip Hop Galsen
through workshops, conferences, performances and exhibitions.
PBS CD released internationally between 1995 and 2001:
Awadi solo albums – from 2002 up to nowadays:
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...
and the most visible figure of Francophone West African 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...
. As a founding member of Positive Black Soul
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...
(PBS) with Duggy Tee, Awadi toured around the world contributing to the international popularity 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...
. Awadi works as a solo artist accompanied by his crew PBS Radikal. He participates in the structuring of the musical sector 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...
through his label, recording studio, and rehearsal space, Studio Sankara. Awadi offers a conscious and revolutionary music strengthened by articulated and rooted messages. His motivation and inspiration stands in the Burkinabé
Burkinabe
Burkinabé may refer to:* Something of, from, or related to Burkina Faso, a nation in West Africa* A person from Burkina Faso, or of Burkinabé descent. For information about the Burkinabé people, see:** Demographics of Burkina Faso** Culture of Burkina Faso...
revolutionary, Thomas Sankara
Thomas Sankara
Thomas Isidore Noël Sankara was a Burkinabé military captain, Marxist revolutionary, Pan-Africanist theorist, and President of Burkina Faso from 1983 to 1987...
's phrase: "Let's dare invent our future!"
Biography
Born on August 11, 1969 in DakarDakar
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...
, 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...
, Didier Awadi is originally from Benin
Benin
Benin , officially the Republic of Benin, is a country in West Africa. It borders Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east and Burkina Faso and Niger to the north. Its small southern coastline on the Bight of Benin is where a majority of the population is located...
and Cap Verde. In 1984, while Hip Hop was slowly emerging on the 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...
scene, Awadi created the group Syndikat. In 1989, he formed Positive Black Soul with fellow hip hop musician Duggy Tee with the desire of promoting a positive image of Africa. In 1992, PBS is chosen by the French rapper with Senegalese origins, MC Solaar
MC Solaar
MC Solaar is a francophone hip hop and rap artist. He is one of the most internationally popular and influential French rappers....
, to be the first part of his show touring throughout France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. With a growing popularity, they record in 1994, a first track "Boul Faale" ("Don't worry") in which they denounce the local corruption of the political system. This track became part of their first album, "Salaam" released in 1995 after a European tour and signed under the label, Island Records. During fourteen years, PBS had multiple international collaborations (KRS-One, Mc Solaar, Princess Erika, K-Mel, Kimani Marley, etc.) and toured worldwide while releasing K7 and CD in Senegal and internationally. Throughout his career, as member of PBS and later as solo artist, Awadi articulated a militant and critical discourse in favour of a brighter panafrican future.
In 2001, the two members decided to start a solo careers. A year later, Awadi released his first solo album, “Kaddu Gor” ("Word of Honour") which received the Radio France Internationale (RFI) World Music Award in 2003. After announcing the formation of his new crew, PBS-Radikal with Baay Sooley
Baay Sooley
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...
, Carlou D and Noumounda Cissoko, Awadi signed with Sony Music. In 2005, he released his second solo album, “Un Autre Monde est Possible” (“Another World is Possible”) in which he calls for the emergence of a better society based on equity, fairness, justice and freedom. In 2006, he released “Sunugaal”, a plea for the development of Senegal and against the illegal immigration. In October 2007, Awadi presented his upcoming project, “Presidents of Africa” on the Bataclan (theatre)
Bataclan (theatre)
The Bataclan is a "salle de spectacle" at 50 boulevard Voltaire in the 11th arrondissement of Paris. It was built in 1864 by the architect Charles Duval. Its name refers to Ba-Ta-Clan, an operetta by Offenbach...
stage in Paris with artists coming from all over the continent. This fourth album was released in April 2010.
In 1998, Awadi began to contributing to the musical sector of Dakar with the creation of his first home studio, "Taf-Taf Production" ("Quickly" in wolof - but well-done as Awadi stresses) and the first renting of his PA system. In 2001, he produced a one-hour TV show mirroring the local hip hop culture, "Senerap". In 2003, he created a festival dedicated to the hip hop culture, "Senerap International". That same year, "Taf-Taf Production" became "Studio Sankara", a more formal and professional structure of music production actively producing advertising spots. In 2009, as a joint initiative with music professionals and hip hop artists, Awadi organized the first edition of "72H Hip Hop", a three-day event celebrating 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...
through workshops, conferences, performances and exhibitions.
Discography
PBS cassettes released in Senegal between 1994 and 2001:- Boul Falé
- Boul Falé Bou Bess
- Daw Thiow
- Fo Deuk
- New York / Paris / Dakar
- Wakh Feign
- Révolution 2000
PBS CD released internationally between 1995 and 2001:
- 1995 – Salaam
- 1997 – New York / Paris / Dakar (released in Europe in 2003 only)
- 2001 – Run Cool
Awadi solo albums – from 2002 up to nowadays:
- 2002 – Kaddu Gor
- 2005 – Un Autre Monde est Possible
- 2006 – Sunugaal (released in Europe in 2009)
- 2010 – Presidents of Africa
Distinctions / Affiliations
- 2003 – RFI World music award
- 2004 – Best African rapper – Tamani Awards (Mali)
- 2005 – Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres – France and Senegal
- 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...
member and actor in the first West African hip hop musical comedy show “The Extraordinary Stories of Poto-Poto Children” in which he represents the soldier-child
See also
- Hip Hop GalsenHip 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...
- Positive Black SoulPositive Black SoulPositive 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...
(PBS) - 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...
- Senegalese hip hopSenegalese hip hop- Brief history of hip hop in Africa : The year was 1982 when the birth of hip hop took place in the country of Senegal. In the early 1980s when hip hop first hit the scene in Africa, it went from merely being a fad, to a more social and political movement. Amongst the most influential leaders of...
- Music of SenegalMusic of SenegalSenegal's musical heritage is better known than that of most African countries, due to the popularity of mbalax, which is a form of Wolof percussive music; it has been popularized by Youssou N'Dour. Sabar drumming is especially popular.-Folk music:...
- African hip hopAfrican hip hopHip hop music has been popular in Africa since the early 1980s due to widespread American influence. In 1985 hip hop reached Senegal, a French-speaking country in West Africa. Some of the first Senegalese rappers were M.C. Lida, M.C. Solaar, and Positive Black Soul, who mixed rap with Mbalax, a...