Senegalese rapper Awadi to launch new album in Berlin

Backed by one of Senegal’s best live bands, Awadi will present music from his latest solo album, La Mission, a blend of hip-hop, West African melodies and reggae – as always with conscious lyrics and a proudly pan-African message.

In overs 20 years of musical and political activism, Awadi has achieved national and international fame. After his first band Didier Awadi´s Syndicate, he created the influential rap group Positive Black Soul with Amadou Barry (aka Doug E-Tee) in 1989. They released their famous album Boul Faalé in 1994, which brought them worldwide acclaim and exposure.

On his new album as well as his five preceding solo albums - Kaddu Gor (2001), Un Autre Monde Est Possible (2005), Sunugaal (2006), Présidents D´Afrique (2010) and Ma Revolution (2013) - Awadi reflects on pan-Africanism, takes a stand against neocolonialism and the exploitation of Africa and commemorates the formative characters of African independence. He consistently gives his views on current socio-political topics, for example on ‘On Ne Signe Pas’ (translated as ‘We don´t sign’), where he sings against free trade agreements between Africa and the EU, and ‘J´Accuse’, a statement against US imperialism in the world.

As a committed pan-Africanist, Awadi was named a member of the international academic committee The Slave Routes by UNESCO. In recognition of his contribution to African arts, in late 2015 Awadi was recently given an award by Artwatch Africa, part of the pan-continental body Arterial Network. He was also part of the group of African artists to record the peace anthem ‘Right To Live’ in mid-2015. Since 2014 he has worked for Universal Music Group as a consultant. As an influential social entrepreneur he actively supports and produces the next generation of musicians in his Studio Sankara in the centre of Dakar.

Awadi will be supported on this night of urban West African sounds in Berlin by Abass Ndiaye, better known as Kktar. This talented singer from Casamance in southern Senegal is well-known to the Berlin public as energetic frontman of the Afro band Kelele and will display his talent as a solo artist with a groovy acoustic mix of Senegalese sounds, reggae, folk and funk.

Also live on stage will be Senegalese rapper Blow P., a member of popular Dakar group Tigrim, as well as Cameroonian rapper Don Tox, while DJ Ko Mokoress will be in the mix at the after-party.

The concert takes place at the Badehaus Szimpla Musiksalon, Revaler Str. 99 (RAW-Gelände) in Berlin on Friday 24 June from 9pm. Tickets for the event are available for €12 (presale) or for €15 at the door. To book your ticket click here.