ALIF (Liberate Attack of the Feminist Infantry)
Encyclopedia
ALIF is the pioneer female hip hop trio of Hip Hop Galsen
. Emerging in the late mid-1990s, ALIF offered a feminine and feminist flavour to Hip Hop Galsen encouraging women to play their part in the movement. The group split beginning of 2010 after thirteen years of a memorable career.
(PBS), Xuman (Pee Froiss
) or the group Daara J
, the female crew soon develops an original sound and repertoire. In 1999, ALIF releases its debut album, “Viktim”, a production of the Senegalese hip hop label Optimist Produktion. With this cassette, ALIF marks the official entry of women in Hip Hop Galsen
.
After several featuring (Awadi, Chaka Bab’s) and participations on different compilations (Asbef, Dakar Raps), ALIF releases its second album in 2004, this time produced by a German label, Out/Here Records. In “Dakamerap”, ALIF reaffirms its constant engagement in favour of the women cause and their rights. With respect, they tackle issues such as polygamy
and forced marriage, rapping in French, English and Wolof
. This second album meets a hug success both locally and internationally and allows the female trio to tour throughout Europe (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy).
In 2006, the group reconfigures itself. Indeed, Njaayaa leaves the trio in order to work on solo projects and is replaced by a young singer, Mamy (Ndèye Oumi Mbaye). With such a newly recomposed ALIF, the female group releases, in 2008, a third album. “Rareti” distinguishes itself from the previous productions for its combination of rap and mbalax
(popular Senegalese musical genre rendered famous by Youssou N’dour). “Rareti” happens to be the last release of the trio who announced its separation beginning of 2010.
Although ALIF’s split put an end to the group’s career, we may well still hear from its members. Indeed, since 2006, Myrièm has been involved in AURA (United Artists for African Rap)
and still actively tours with its musical comedy “The Extraordinary Stories of Poto-Poto Children”, in which she interprets the role of a young girl rapped by her father. Besides, since 2006, Njaayaa has been intensively working on her projects extensively performing on the live scene of Dakar. Her debut solo album, “Social Living”, is thus well expected and is currently being prepared under the Senegalese label, Def Dara.
Hip Hop Galsen
- Beginnings of movement : Following an historical process of appropriation of American popular music by Senegal,For e.g. Jazz as well as Latin American music such as salsa or pachanga were popular in Senegalese cities from the 1940’s and until recently. Hip Hop emerged in the Senegalese capital...
. Emerging in the late mid-1990s, ALIF offered a feminine and feminist flavour to Hip Hop Galsen encouraging women to play their part in the movement. The group split beginning of 2010 after thirteen years of a memorable career.
Biography
In 1997, Myrièm (Marième Diallo), Njaayaa (Ndiaya Gueye) and Oumy (Oumy Ndiaye) created ALIF, the first female hip hop trio emerging on Hip Hop Galsen scene. ALIF initially started like most of Senegalese hip hop artists as dancers first. Supported by pioneer hip hop artists such as AwadiDidier Awadi
Didier Awadi is a Senegalese rapper and the most visible figure of Francophone West African Hip Hop. As a founding member of Positive Black Soul with Duggy Tee, Awadi toured around the world contributing to the international popularity of Hip Hop Galsen. Awadi works as a solo artist accompanied by...
(PBS), Xuman (Pee Froiss
Pee Froiss
Pee Froiss is a hip hop group formed in Dakar, Senegal in 1993. It was originally produced by another hip hop group from that city, Positive Black Soul, and since recorded with the duo. The band's music is rapped in Wolof, French, and English and features traditional Senegalese instruments such as...
) or the group Daara J
Daara J
Daara J are a Senegalese rap trio that consists of N'Dongo D, Aladji Man, and Faada Freddy. Their music takes influence from hip hop, Afro-Cuban rhythms, and reggae and is performed in English, French, Spanish, and Wolof....
, the female crew soon develops an original sound and repertoire. In 1999, ALIF releases its debut album, “Viktim”, a production of the Senegalese hip hop label Optimist Produktion. With this cassette, ALIF marks the official entry of women in Hip Hop Galsen
Hip Hop Galsen
- Beginnings of movement : Following an historical process of appropriation of American popular music by Senegal,For e.g. Jazz as well as Latin American music such as salsa or pachanga were popular in Senegalese cities from the 1940’s and until recently. Hip Hop emerged in the Senegalese capital...
.
After several featuring (Awadi, Chaka Bab’s) and participations on different compilations (Asbef, Dakar Raps), ALIF releases its second album in 2004, this time produced by a German label, Out/Here Records. In “Dakamerap”, ALIF reaffirms its constant engagement in favour of the women cause and their rights. With respect, they tackle issues such as polygamy
Polygamy
Polygamy is a marriage which includes more than two partners...
and forced marriage, rapping in French, English and Wolof
Wolof language
Wolof is a language spoken in Senegal, The Gambia, and Mauritania, and is the native language of the Wolof people. Like the neighbouring languages Serer and Fula, it belongs to the Atlantic branch of the Niger–Congo language family...
. This second album meets a hug success both locally and internationally and allows the female trio to tour throughout Europe (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy).
In 2006, the group reconfigures itself. Indeed, Njaayaa leaves the trio in order to work on solo projects and is replaced by a young singer, Mamy (Ndèye Oumi Mbaye). With such a newly recomposed ALIF, the female group releases, in 2008, a third album. “Rareti” distinguishes itself from the previous productions for its combination of rap and mbalax
Mbalax
Mbalax is the national popular dance music of Senegal and The Gambia. Mbalax is a fusion of popular Western music and dance such as jazz, soul, Latin, and rock blended with sabar, the traditional drumming and dance music of Senegal...
(popular Senegalese musical genre rendered famous by Youssou N’dour). “Rareti” happens to be the last release of the trio who announced its separation beginning of 2010.
Although ALIF’s split put an end to the group’s career, we may well still hear from its members. Indeed, since 2006, Myrièm has been involved in AURA (United Artists for African Rap)
AURA (United Artists for African Rap)
AURA is a collective of 17 hip hop artists coming from ten different countries in West Africa and who are committed to use their voices and music for Africa’s development...
and still actively tours with its musical comedy “The Extraordinary Stories of Poto-Poto Children”, in which she interprets the role of a young girl rapped by her father. Besides, since 2006, Njaayaa has been intensively working on her projects extensively performing on the live scene of Dakar. Her debut solo album, “Social Living”, is thus well expected and is currently being prepared under the Senegalese label, Def Dara.
External links
- Mondomix Music Magazine http://mp3.mondomix.com/alif
- Out/Here Records official website http://www.outhere.de/?p=878