ALIF (Attaque libératoire de l'infanterie féministe, English: Liberation Attack of the Feminist Infantry) is the pioneer female hip hop trio of

Hip Hop Galsen Following an historical process of appropriation of American popular music by Senegal,For e.g. Jazz as well as Latin American music such as salsa or pachanga were popular in Senegalese cities from the 1940s and until recently. Hip hop music, hip ho ...

. Emerging in the late mid-1990s, ALIF offered a feminine and feminist flavour to Hip Hop Galsen encouraging women to play their part in the movement. The group split beginning of 2010 after thirteen years.

Biography

In 1997, Myrièm (Marième Diallo), Njaayaa (Ndiaya Gueye) and Oumy (Oumy Ndiaye) created ALIF, the first female hip hop trio emerging on Hip Hop Galsen scene. ALIF initially started like most of Senegalese hip hop artists as dancers first. They were supported by pioneer hip hop artists such as Awadi (PBS), Xuman (

Pee Froiss Pee Froiss is a hip hop group formed in Dakar, Senegal in 1993. It was originally produced by another hip hop group from that city, Positive Black Soul, and since recorded with the duo. The band's music is rapped in Wolof, French, and English ...

) or the group

Daara J Daara J (pronounced , which means "the school" in Wolof) are a Senegalese rap duet that consists of N'Dongo D and Faada Freddy. Their music takes influence from hip hop, Afro-Cuban rhythms, and reggae and is performed in English, French, Span ...

. In 1999, ALIF released its debut album, “Viktim”, a production of the Senegalese hip hop label Optimist Produktion. With this cassette, ALIF marks the official entry of women in

. After several different compilations (Asbef, Dakar Raps) featuring (Awadi, Chaka Bab's), ALIF released its second album in 2004, this time produced by a German label, Out/Here Records. In “Dakamerap”, ALIF reaffirms its constant engagement in favour of the women cause and their rights. They tackled issues such as

polygamy Crimes Polygamy (from Late Greek (') "state of marriage to many spouses") is the practice of marrying multiple spouses. When a man is married to more than one wife at the same time, sociologists call this polygyny. When a woman is married ...

and forced marriage, rapping in French, English and

Wolof Wolof or Wollof may refer to: * Wolof people, an ethnic group found in Senegal, Gambia, and Mauritania * Wolof language, a language spoken in Senegal, Gambia, and Mauritania * The Wolof or Jolof Empire, a medieval West African successor of the Mal ...

. This second album was greeted with huge success both locally and internationally, allowing the female trio to tour throughout Europe (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy). In 2006, the group reconfigured itself. Njaayaa left the trio in order to work on solo projects and was replaced by a young singer, Mamy (Ndèye Oumi Mbaye). The group released a third album in 2008. “Rareti” distinguishes itself from the previous productions for its combination of rap and

mbalax Mbalax (or mbalakh) is the national popular dance music of Senegal and the Gambia. In the 1970s, mbalax emerged as the distinctive sound of postcolonial Senegal. Derived from a fusion of indigenous Wolof sabar drumming with popular music principa ...

(popular Senegalese musical genre rendered famous by

Youssou N’dour Youssou N'Dour (, wo, Yuusu Nduur; also known as Youssou Madjiguène Ndour; born 1 October 1959) is a Senegalese singer, songwriter, musician, composer, occasional actor, businessman, and politician. In 2004, ''Rolling Stone'' magazine describe ...

). “Rareti” proved to be the last release of the trio, who announced its separation early in 2010.

Discography

* 1999 – Viktim * 2004 – Dakamerap * 2008 – Rareti

Distinction / Affiliation

United Artists for African Rap (AURA)

References

External links

* Mondomix Music Magazin

* Out/Here Records official websit

{{DEFAULTSORT:Alif (Liberate Attack Of The Feminist Infantry) Senegalese hip hop groups