Awadi, before - Positive Black Soul was one of the first Dakar hip-hop groups to break onto the international scene. They’re universally respected by hip-hop kids in Senegal, and helped inspire a whole generation of new rap groups. Thanks to PBS and those early years of Dakar hip-hop’s rise there was suddenly underground rap fans in [...] [Bennloxo]

Senegal has long been one of the pacesetters in African hip hop. Groups like Positive Black Soul popularized the genre around Francophone Africa and their success has been well documented. One of PBS's original members, Awadi has released a new album which is reviewed by Bennloxo above. Positive Black Soul as the name implies used their music to educate its listeners about social issues and act as political activists, mostly fighting for the poor and oppressed in the society. The other PBS member, Duggy-Tee is also enjoying a good solo career.

PBS has inspired other Senegalese rap groups. Daara J, arguably the most popular group presently, has positive messages in its albums and once was at the the forefront of an anti-corruption campaign. Daara J means school of life and they have enjoyed massive commerical success, rising to the top of European charts. Other groups include MC Solaar and Wageble.

PBS and Senegal's case is not uncommon in Africa. Eldee the don of Trybe Records has a popular song, 'I go yarn', which talks about corruption in Nigeria, how he would use his money to develop his country and calls for Nigerians to transform brain drain into brain gain and not use their status to cheat other citizens. Eedris Abdulkareem generated a lot of controversy with his Jagajaga song which chastised the treatment of the lower class while addressing the popular issues of corruption and bribery. Rappers in East Africa have also spoken about the same issues, and some are gaining international recognition, such as Kenya's Gidigidi MajiMaji and Somalia's K'Naan.

We need the other rappers and hip hoppers to follow suit. It would enable them to gain popularity for the right reasons and if music is what feelings sound like and the pulse of the people, the youth would follow suit and we can have a conscious generation dedicated to solving and preventing the ills of the African society.

The Senegalese are at it, and their hip hop has crossed the African borders with the help of entities like Nomadic Wax that believed in their message.

Watch the I go yarn video
Watch the Soobax video
Watch a video

PS: Learn about the Cuban hip hop revolution and the activism it is driving.