Didier Awadi’s Revolutionary Style of Music
Didier Awadi is a Senegalese rapper and a significant figure in West African hip-hop. In 1984, when hip hop began to emerge on the Dakar scene he created the group Syndikat. He was a founding member of Positive Black Soul along with Duggy Tee. He had the opportunity to tour around the world and contribute to the international popularity of hip-hop Galsen. Awadi offers a conscious and revolutionary style of music strengthened by articulated and rooted messages. One of his most popular songs is “Boule Faale” (Don’t worry), which denounced local political system corruption. These same themes can be heard in many of Awadi’s songs and play a significant role in his development as an artist.
A Message of L’imperinent
Awadi’s release of L’impertinent highlights the social and political injustices within the systems in Senegal and is portrayed through a lot of the imagery in the music video. As the video begins, there are clips of Awadi in a prison uniform being detained by the police setting the stage for the desired conversation about the system in Senegal. There are plenty of scenes that follow the scene of Awadi in the prison uniform which allude to a revolution and desire for the voices of Senegal to be heard. As the video progresses you see more of the community cheering Awadi on as he is speaking up about the issues of the country.
The imagery and composed video align with the lyrics in which Awadi writes. A few lines Awadi repeats in the song are “my contract of conscience is signed with my continent” meaning as he is from the land of Senegal it is his duty and right to be conscious of the things happening around him in his community. As there are many injustices within the systems in Senegal, he outwardly expresses that the people of the land are in opposition to what has been taking place amongst them. Through his choice of metaphors and great use of using hip-hop as his political playground, he speaks for his entire community and ultimately advocates for the unity of his country.
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