June 5, 2009 Conversation Club: MUSIC
What do you think of music, what role does it play?
-It helps you calm down, good for managing your anger, you can forget your problems
-It helps people get through things historically, such as the Periode Negriere
-It is a form of communication, it links and connects people. Youssou N’dour communicates with his music, connects with people.
-Music can also be a way to close self off, such as with headphones.
-Music can separate and bring together.
-It can organize political leaders.
-Life can be monotonous without music because it keeps you happy.
-Young people are in Senegal, making music, especially hip hop music. The youth use music as a means of communication. Since these musicians aren’t in the realm of politics they have the liberty to speak truthfully.
Music and money
-Music is a way to escape one’s social position, especially with hip hop.
-It is also a way to make money.
-People don’t really think of important messages for their music, they just write something quickly and want money quickly.
- The music’s message needs to come from the heart.
African-American music is the main type of music that comes into Senegal from US.
Hip hop and mbalax: popular music in Senegal
-Senegalese musicians don’t have producers unlike in the US where having a producers helps on the path to success.
-Senegalese hip hop is high quality, especially compared with other countries.
-Hip hop and mbalax are both popular in Senegal.
-A lot of Senegalese rappers have left Senegal. A lot of people are abroad and come here to Senegal just for a promotion, which is a main weakness of Senegalese hip hop, Senegalese hip hop will die because everyone is going abroad!
-Some hip hop artists are helping people underground, because these artists are speaking the truth, they don’t have alternate political motivations.
- Seneggalese music is on an international level and there are very well-known people like Yousou N’Dour and Akon who “represent” Senegal.
-There are influences of mbalax in Senegalese music. People are listening to more mbalax than rap, but then a lot of people listen to both.
- There is a difference between old and new mbalax music and many people prefer the old kind.
Talking about specific artists:
Baaba Maal- well known but speaks Pulaar in Senegal, so not everyone understands.
Bob Marley is international. Everyone knows about him! He used to help the Senegalese rappers.
Sharing music
One Senegalese participant shared some hip hop he had written for his mother.
Another Senegalese particpant shared an Akon song. This particpant was curious about Akon’s admission that he is Senegalese and whether he makes it clear in the US?
An American participant responded by saying that those that listen to him know that he is from Senegal, but other than that, the fact that Akon is Senegalese isn’t very publicized.
A Senegalese participant shared Celine Dion.
Next week’s topic:
Child abuse in Senegal
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