Bloomington, Indiana, USA – Senegalese rap crew,
Daara J, is
finally available in the United States as a domestic release. “Born in
Africa, brought up in America, hip hop has come full circle,” proclaims
Daara J on the title track of the group’s American debut album Boomerang (Wrasse Records, October 19, 2004).
Daara J’s Faada Freddy explains that tasso is the original form of rap, ancient
rhythmic poetry passed down from father to son. “Historically, people in
Senegal would use tasso to talk about their environment, their living
conditions, the situation of the country and their hopes for the future.”“Daara J means ‘school of life.’ With every production, we want to give an
education to our listeners,” says group member Aladji Man. In the vein of De
La Soul, Public Enemy, and Blackstar, Boomerang strays from the typically
machismo and materialistic subject matter permeating America’s mainstream rap
scene. Joining the likes of Positive Black Soul and MC Solaar as one of
Senegal’s elite hip hop crews, Daara J uses their words as a positive force.
Proudly earning their name, the trio focuses on the ills of globalism, the
perils of a traditional society, the threatened environment, and on
spirituality. “To the end of our pains we will always build. My generation wants
to come up for air,” say the lyrics of “Esperanza.”
During Senegal’s 2000 presidential election, Daara J was hired to edit speeches
and promote the anti-corruption political campaigns. Successfully bringing new
voters to the polls, they were able to share in the defeat of a corrupt regime.
The same power can be found within the rhymes and rhythms of their first album
to hit American shores. Stirring the senses with raga, jazz, and Cuban and
Caribbean sounds, Boomerang is how hip hop was meant to sound, a canvas
upon which styles of artistic expression create something which has never been
discovered.
Winners of the BBC Radio 3 World Music Award for ‘Best African Act,’ Daara J has
spent months atop the European world music charts. Daara J’s Boomerang proves to
be as universally relevant and appreciated as it is unique to its creators. The
album melts borders with touches of English and Spanish peppered among the
courses of French and Wolof, a prominent native Senegalese tongue, uniting the
international hip hop community.
[Buy Boomerang,
Xalima, and
Daara J].
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
