Category: Sierra Leone
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using politics to influence music: DADDY SAJ
Daddy Saj, born Joseph Gerald Adolphus Cole, is a rapper from Sierra Leone who uses his platform to call out political corruption and provide hope to his community. He is arguably one of the biggest and most respected rappers in his country. In his rapping dialect, he uses rhyming and traditional goombay, the official musicRead…
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The Roles Reversed!
It’s no secret that Sierra Leone hip hop is predominantly run by men. There is a common stigma in many African societies that women must stay home, cook, clean, and raise the children. However, Natasha Beckley, a Sierra Leonean female rapper, rebels against that in her 2020 music video, “Thonon.” Beckley’s music video as aRead…
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Ejatu Deen, “Queen amina”
Ejatu Deen is a Sierra Leonean hip hop artist based in the United States. She is most commonly referred to as QUEEN DEEN or “Rapper Dem Step Mama” (the rappers’ step-mother). The artist has kept her original name Ejatu to emphasize her realness and commitment to her people and culture. She is originally from theRead…
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dancehall Chief, Faze Ya Alimamy
Born Fatmama B. Kamara, Faze Ya Alimamy is a Sierra Leone-born female artist who uses her platform to spread positive messages & vibrant sounds that make anyone want to move. She began dancing herself in her teenage years and her biography influences the sound of her music and who she is today. Educational Background KamaraRead…
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HHAP Episode 50: The Mixtape Episode P. 2
This episode is our second mixtape episode. The episode features the most recent works of 23 of Africa’s fiercest lyricists. All of songs featured on this episode were released in 2018 and 2019, and features women from across Africa, and African women who reside in the Diaspora. Some of the artists are fairly well known…
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Who is DJ Big Dris?
The world is finally taking notice of Idris Elba’s passion for music. As a man of many talents, many have recognized him as an actor, producer and director. His other long-time interests in DJing and rapping are finally getting recognition even though he has been consistent since he was just a boy. Idrissa Akuna Elba…
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Universal Politics
Once again we visit Kao Denero in order to gain a better understanding of Salone culture. Kao Denero and Del Vaqyo join forces to present “Fresh Faces”, a song written to encourage citizens to be politically active. This song is performed primarily in English. I believe that by singing the song in English, Kao DeneroRead…
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Daddy Saj
Joseph Gerald Adolphus Cole, commonly known as Daddy Saj was born in 1978 in Freetown, Sierra Leone. He fled to Guinea in 1997 as a refugee where he became more involved in music. When he returned to Sierra Leone he linked up with Jimmy B , a producer who signed him to his Paradise FamilyRead…
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Bow Down to The Empress
On January 12 1992 the Limba tribe of Sierra Leone gained a great addition the Hip Hop community. Philka Tenneh Kamara, better known to her fans as Empress P, is one of the country’s best. Empress P started rapping in her early years to help spread her point to those who may or may notRead…