Category: Mali
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Changing the African Narrative: Aya Nakamura
Aya Nakamura has been writing and releasing music on Youtube since 2016[1]; the Mali-born French musician would make her entrance into the international music scene in 2018 with the release of her second album, NAKAMURA. This album gained international popularity with the hit song “Djadja.” In an interview with The Guardian[2], the artist elaborates onRead…
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Oumou Sangere: Heart and Soul of Mali
African music, often placed into specific categories like, Afro beats, Afro jazz, etc, has mergedits presence into the everyday lifestyle of the average music listener. Mali specifically plays ahuge role in the music that is produced within Africa and, more than ever, artists deriving fromMali have been making their mark within the African music industry.Read…
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Master Soumy Brings Revolutionary Hip-Hop to Mali with “Ca ne vas pas Aller”
As hip-hop culture continues to grow in Mali, new artists are finding ways to emerge into the highly conservative society. Among them is Master Soumy, a rapper from Bomako. Born with the name Ismael Doukouré, Soumy has earned the titles of lawyer and activist. Out of twenty brothers, he was the only boy to attendRead…
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Iba Montana Shakes Up Mali
In Mali, there is no rapper who provokes controversy like Iba Montana. As soon as the name is heard in a crowd, you will see a variety of interesting reactions. Some will refer to him and his work as blasphemous, loathsome, unconscious or even “cursed.” Others, especially the youth, will say he is as expressiveRead…
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HHAP Episode 28: Politics & Hip Hop from the Children of Sundiata
This episode is a conversation with Malian hip hop artist and activist Amkoullel L’enfant Peulh on hip hop and politics in Mali. Amkoullel has been involved in hip hop culture in Mali for many years, and he’s been vocal about politics inside and outside of the country. Having lived in France and the United States, Amkoullel is…