Wagëblë

Wageble in Malibu, 2016

Wagëblë are a Senegalese hip hop act, and have been popular both in Senegal and abroad since their debut album was released in 2003. They are known for powerful live performances and captivating lyricism.

About

Wagëblë is made up of Eyewitness, aka Lamine Kandji and Waterflow, aka Papa Moussa Lo, who began making music together in 1997.[1] Wageble are from Thiaroye, a ghetto on the outskirts of Senegal's capital, Dakar.[1] According to the group, they represent the disenfranchised youth of Senegal and Africa,[2][3] and work towards social change in Senegal.[4]

According to Wagëblë, their style draws on the tradition of the griot[2] - a Senegalese storyteller, oral historian and social critic. Their lyrics take aim at issues like social injustice, political corruption and conflict,[4] while also celebrating love, family and life. Their name, Wagëblë is a Wolof word that means "from the ghetto."[2] Their name is also an acronym for Wax Aduna Gëddu Ëttu Baatin Lemu Ëlëk[5] – an expression of their philosophy to speak the truth, spread knowledge and pave the way to a brighter and more positive future in Africa by encouraging the youth of Senegal to address the social problems the country faces, rather than move overseas.[6]

Wagëblë describe their music as Rap Afro[6] - a style heavily influenced by American hip hop, but focusing on themes that speak to, and about, Africa. Their music mixes rap, poetry and spoken word with hip hop beats and traditional African instruments. Wagëblë rap in Wolof, French and English.[5]

Discography

Wageb' Rap New Generation (2003)

In 2003 Wagëblë released their first studio album, Wageb' Rap New Generation, in collaboration with manager Fred Russel and producer Tom Roger Rumblin' from Norwegian label Two Thou Entertainment. Wagëblë embarked on a Senegal-wide tour shortly after the album's release, beginning with a show at Hip Hop Rally Oslo Dakar, a major festival organized by Hip Hop artists, promoters and label representatives from Norway, Sénégal, Kenya and the U.S. Throughout the Wageb' Rap New Generation Tour, Wagëblë also held several free concerts that aimed to raise awareness about AIDS, drug use and racism.[1]

Senegal (2005)

Wagëblë released their second album, Senegal, in 2005, for which they won best album at Sénégal’s Annual Hip Hop Awards that same year. The Senegal album Tour launched Wagëblë's international career, and for the first time the group played live shows to foreign audiences across the globe, in Norway, Switzerland, Sweden, France, The U.S, The Gambia and Guinea.[1][2] The album, largely considered to be a Hip Hop Galsen (slang for Senegalese hip hop) classic, features Kenyan-Norwegian rapper/singer, Stella Mwangi STL, Kenyan MC Ras Steven, Norwegian rapper Kleen Cut and Ugandan-Norwegian actress Asta Busingye Lydersen, aka Asta Busingye. The album was produced by Norwegian label, Two thou Entertainment.[1]

Message of Hope (2012)

Wagëblë released their third studio album, Message of Hope, in 2012. The album was produced by Tom Roger Rumblin, Wagëblë’s own Eyewitness and William NastyCut, and was recorded between Washington DC, New York, Lausanne and Dakar. The album features internationally renowned artists, Cheik Lo, Meta Dia, Jabaman, Crosby and Haddy Ndie and carries an overarching message to the youth of Senegal to create a better world for themselves, by challenging political corruption and outdated tradition.[7]

Witness the Flow (2016)

Jawale is the first single from Wagëblë's fourth album, Witness the Flow, set to be released later this year by hip hop label Nubian Spirit.[8]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Biographie Wagëblë". www.afrisson.com (in French). Retrieved 2016-08-31.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Wagëblë". TrAP. 2016-08-31. Retrieved 2016-08-31.
  3. ↑ "Wagëblë: Sénégal". www.popmatters.com. Retrieved 2016-08-31.
  4. 1 2 "Where Hip-Hop Brought Down a Government". ABC News. 2009-02-19. Retrieved 2016-08-31.
  5. 1 2 "wageble". emibaps.skyrock.com. 2006-03-22. Retrieved 2016-08-31.
  6. 1 2 "Wageble". ReverbNation. Retrieved 2016-08-31.
  7. ↑ "[VIDEO] Nouvel Album de Wagëblë: 'Message of Hope' ou le cri d'une Génération 'Mondialisée'". seneweb.com. Retrieved 2016-09-01.
  8. ↑ "Wageble sort Jawale - Wakh'Art" (in French). 2016-08-17. Retrieved 2016-09-01.
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