Mandinka Rap from Mali

by Les Escrocs

Overview

No one who is familiar with both African and American pop music will be surprised to learn that what passes for hip-hop in Mali might not be recognized as such in the South Bronx. That's not to say that it isn't funky, or that there isn't a lot of clever wordplay, or that the music isn't topical. In fact, Les Escrocs do a demonstrably better job of addressing issues in their music than the vast majority of current American hip-hop artists do -- songs on this album address everything from polygamy and AIDS to political corruption and feminism. But in strictly musical terms, the most significant difference between the music of Les Escrocs and just about any American hip-hop artist lies in the realm of hardness: this music doesn't have any. Look at the cover photo and you'll notice something weird -- rappers Salim Diallo and Mamadou Tounkara are smiling. They're not trying to present themselves as pimps or hard cases. No bling, no SUVs, no pimp canes, no scantily clad women -- just a handful of guys (plus one female singer) in casual dress expressing themselves to the accompaniment of mostly acoustic instruments, with the occasional electronic beat thrown in for flavor. Of course, that laid-back aesthetic means that things aren't always as compelling as they might be, but on highlight tracks like "Kalan" and "Konotie Magni," the balance between traditional and modern sounds yields something very close to magic. Recommended. ~ Rick Anderson

Product Details

Release Date:	09/20/2005
Label:	Naxos World
UPC:	0636943706022
Rank:	224328

Tracks

1. Pirates
2. Saara (Polygamy)
3. Enseignants (Teachers)
4. Tounga (Expatriates)
5. Sida 2001 (AIDS 2001)
6. Sida 2000 (AIDS 2000)
7. Demisenw (Children)
8. Kokadj¿¿ (Transparency)
9. Farafina Mussow (African Women)
10. Int¿¿gration Africaine (African Unity)
11. Can 2002 (African Cup of Nations)
12. Expuls¿¿s (The Expelled)
13. Kalan (Study)
14. Konoti¿¿ Magni (Clandestine Abortion)

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Les Escrocs   Primary Artist
Samba Diabate   Guitar
Salim Diallo   Vocals,Vocals
Mahamane Diabate   Balafon
Mamadou Tounkara   Vocals
Sekou Kante   Guitar (Bass)
Moussa Sissoko   Tama

Technical Credits

Salim Diallo   Audio Production,Producer
Mamadou Tounkara   Producer
Yves Wernert   Engineer
Banning Eyre   Liner Notes