Wagëblë

Wagëblë was created in 1997 in Thiraroye, one of the most unfavourable suburbs in Dakar, the capital of Senegal. The rappers Eyewitness, Waterflow and Begun met at various battles in Dakar and quickly understood that they had the same point of view on music, life and the problems Senegal was facing.



The group manged to record one track for a senegalese compilation before Begun left the group in 2002, to persue a high school education in the United States. Back in Dakar, Eyewitness and Waterflow met up with Fred Russel, a norwegian talent scout looking for artists for potential projects. They decided to record an album together with norwegian producers Rumblin and Crizmo, resulting in their debut ”Wagëb’ Rap New Generation”, released in Senegal in 2003. To help promote both the group and the release, a festival was arranged to generate more publicity. The festival ”Oslo Dakar Hip Hop Rally 2003” was held in Dakar and included 14 people from Norway, including rappers, dj’s and a film crew. The festival created much attention for the previously unknown crew and the release is widely reckognized as one of the best and most important albums in Senegalese Hip hop to this date.



Wagëblë has not recieved this attention for their talent and high quality productions alone. Their music is a school of life for thousands of young people from the suburbs, without true role models, and living in a society in which the moral values have been sacrified by a generation of ignorants. Wagëblë has been portrayed as the voice of the voiceless generation in Dakar, and is currently looked upon as one of Senegals most popular Hip Hop Groups.

br>Wagëblë has always focused on the evolution of their country, and to possibly try to reverse the negative prosess their country is going through. Therefore the members of this group has for years been organizing concerts in the schools and universities in Senegal. Through this they have spent much time with the nations future leaders and businessmen, understanding that the change their country needs, does not come overnight.



In December 2004, their follow up album was recorded in the house of Eyewitness, with equipment brought over from Norway for the occation. With limited money, time and possibilities, they have recorded one of the most controversial and moving records in west african hip hop history. The record is dedicated to their motherland, Senegal, and is a snapshot of the daily life of the majority of it’s population. Wagëblë portrays the senegalese society with a wit and edge that no one previously has managed to record before, making them the everyday heroes of the unfortunate in society.



The new album Senegal was released in Senegal this July, and will be released internationally this november.



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