Simon Bisbi Clan
Encyclopedia
Simon Bisbi Clan is one of the most visible hip hop
artists on the contemporary scene of Hip Hop Galsen
. After his beginnings in Dakar
, Simon grows from his diverse experiences on other hip hop scenes abroad during five years before coming back to his hometown. Since his return, he has been intensively contributing to the development of the musical sector in Dakar with the creation of his LLC (Limited Liability Company
), 99 Records, a structure dedicated to the promotion of Senegalese urban music and centred around the label “Djolof 4 Life Entertainment”.
Born on April, 27th, 1979 in Dakar, Simon Bisbi Clan from his real name, Simon Mohamed Kouka, starts his first steps in Hip Hop in 1997 first as a dancer but quickly as a rapper. Influenced by American and French artists as well as Senegalese hip hop artists from the previous “generation”, Simon creates his group Bisbi Clan with two of his childhood friends, allying both singing and rapping. From then and until 2001, Bisbi Clan multiplies its featuring and appearances on different productions and compilations with tracks such as “Mangui tuddu Hip sant Hop” calling for more unity in the Hip Hop movement and the return to its original values, or “Balla”, a remix of Wycleef’s song Diallo, in memory of the student Balla Gaye killed by the police during a manifestation.
In 2002, Simon leaves for Bordeaux
to pursue his studies. There, he multiplies stage performances in hip hop as well as in slam
and collaborates with various artists both in jazz
and in hip hop. He also becomes part of the collective “99 Pro-G” which recently released its first compilation “Hip Hop Resurrection”. Beginning of 2006, Simon releases his debut album, “Digue Boor La” (“A Promise is a Debt”) which allows him to reassess his legacy to Hip Hop Galsen
. This first album meets a great success in his home-town, Dakar
. End of 2009, after multiple collaborations on albums of local hip hop artists (Wa Keur gui; Sen Kumpë; 5Kiem underground; ResKP), Simon finally releases a mixtape “Maxama Mer” (“Overwrought”) for which he will be touring throughout Senegal from beginning of March 2010.
In 2007, Simon definitively comes back to Senegal in order to create his structure of musical production, 99 Records. This structure is composed of a CD duplication plant, an audiovisual recording studio, an event agency as well as a street wear brand. Besides, 99 Records is centred around Simon’ label, “Djolof 4 Life Entertainment” which has already produced several other local hip hop artists, such as 5kiem Underground, Sen Kumpe, Zair ak Batine, Tigrim Bi et Big Fa. With his structure, Simon stands as one of the most active members, part of the 72h Hip Hop organisation committee, this three-days hip hop event initiated in 2009 and taking place every year since then on the 1st, 2nd and 3 January, in Dakar.
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
artists on the contemporary scene of 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 his beginnings in Dakar
Dakar
Dakar is the capital city and largest city of Senegal. It is located on the Cap-Vert Peninsula on the Atlantic coast and is the westernmost city on the African mainland...
, Simon grows from his diverse experiences on other hip hop scenes abroad during five years before coming back to his hometown. Since his return, he has been intensively contributing to the development of the musical sector in Dakar with the creation of his LLC (Limited Liability Company
Limited liability company
A limited liability company is a flexible form of enterprise that blends elements of partnership and corporate structures. It is a legal form of company that provides limited liability to its owners in the vast majority of United States jurisdictions...
), 99 Records, a structure dedicated to the promotion of Senegalese urban music and centred around the label “Djolof 4 Life Entertainment”.
Biography
Born on April, 27th, 1979 in Dakar, Simon Bisbi Clan from his real name, Simon Mohamed Kouka, starts his first steps in Hip Hop in 1997 first as a dancer but quickly as a rapper. Influenced by American and French artists as well as Senegalese hip hop artists from the previous “generation”, Simon creates his group Bisbi Clan with two of his childhood friends, allying both singing and rapping. From then and until 2001, Bisbi Clan multiplies its featuring and appearances on different productions and compilations with tracks such as “Mangui tuddu Hip sant Hop” calling for more unity in the Hip Hop movement and the return to its original values, or “Balla”, a remix of Wycleef’s song Diallo, in memory of the student Balla Gaye killed by the police during a manifestation.
In 2002, Simon leaves for Bordeaux
Bordeaux
Bordeaux is a port city on the Garonne River in the Gironde department in southwestern France.The Bordeaux-Arcachon-Libourne metropolitan area, has a population of 1,010,000 and constitutes the sixth-largest urban area in France. It is the capital of the Aquitaine region, as well as the prefecture...
to pursue his studies. There, he multiplies stage performances in hip hop as well as in slam
SLAM
Slam or SLAM may refer to:In computer science:* Simultaneous localization and mapping, a technique used by robots and autonomous vehicles* SLAM project, a Microsoft Research project...
and collaborates with various artists both in jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
and in hip hop. He also becomes part of the collective “99 Pro-G” which recently released its first compilation “Hip Hop Resurrection”. Beginning of 2006, Simon releases his debut album, “Digue Boor La” (“A Promise is a Debt”) which allows him to reassess his legacy to 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...
. This first album meets a great success in his home-town, Dakar
Dakar
Dakar is the capital city and largest city of Senegal. It is located on the Cap-Vert Peninsula on the Atlantic coast and is the westernmost city on the African mainland...
. End of 2009, after multiple collaborations on albums of local hip hop artists (Wa Keur gui; Sen Kumpë; 5Kiem underground; ResKP), Simon finally releases a mixtape “Maxama Mer” (“Overwrought”) for which he will be touring throughout Senegal from beginning of March 2010.
In 2007, Simon definitively comes back to Senegal in order to create his structure of musical production, 99 Records. This structure is composed of a CD duplication plant, an audiovisual recording studio, an event agency as well as a street wear brand. Besides, 99 Records is centred around Simon’ label, “Djolof 4 Life Entertainment” which has already produced several other local hip hop artists, such as 5kiem Underground, Sen Kumpe, Zair ak Batine, Tigrim Bi et Big Fa. With his structure, Simon stands as one of the most active members, part of the 72h Hip Hop organisation committee, this three-days hip hop event initiated in 2009 and taking place every year since then on the 1st, 2nd and 3 January, in Dakar.
External links
- 99 Projet official website http://www.99projet.net/index.html
- Simon Bisbi Clan on Myspace http://www.myspace.com/simonsenegalais
- Jolof 4 Life Entertainment http://jolof4life-99.skyrock.com/