Pape Armand was the perfect person to lead us on a sonic journey of Dakar and Senegal—from its deep, rich roots in tradition to its modern music used in clubs and restaurants, as well as in rap and R&B hits. We recorded traditional musicians in Armand's Laboutique studio and worked with Senegalese producers at the infamous Rep'Tyle studio across town to showcase the fusion of traditional and modern music happening locally in Dakar.
Even modern music in Dakar is driven far more by passion than profit, and it shows. Traditionally a form of long-distance communication, music is a gift passed down between generations in Senegal. Entire ethnic groups, towns, or even families can be known for a particular instrument, becoming true guardians of a specific sound.
For example, the kora is associated with the ethnic group, Bambara; the Balafon with the Mandinka; sabar drums with Wolof; the tambin with the Fula and the ngoni (xalam) with Griots as a whole. In West Africa, Griots are the people responsible for preserving culture. They’re a repository of oral tradition and often seen as a leader due to their position as an advisor to royal personages.
Today, these instruments are used heavily in modern music, particularly rap and R&B. Contemporary Senegalese musicians embrace this immersion and want to bring attention to the impact their traditional instruments have on the modern music landscape and Western culture. This pack is a celebration of how ritualistic sounds rooted in ceremony and tradition can seep into and influence global cultures while preserving and amplifying their original story.
One of the musicians we worked with, a beatmaker who performs as Iss814 says, “There’s an aspect of spirituality in my music-making. The originality of these instruments stems from the fact that they can be directly linked to the sounds of nature.”
The producers and artists who worked on this pack hope that modern musicians are inspired to pass down Senegalese tradition in their own, unique way. Keep an eye out for the remaining packs in this series.
