Ahoy,
Today is my 3rd day in Dakar, Senegal, and I am amazed at how this trip has started. Quick summary of previous episodes: the reason for my trip is to find and sign quality West African music , which I will then incorporate to the label / catalog I am launching, Akwaaba Media. I’d already been to Ghana for this same reason in October, and was very satisfied with what I found, but, um, wow, Senegal. SO MUCH MUSIC.
I feel so lucky… I’m already in touch with very well connected industry figures. I had a couple of contacts beforehand (thanks to Claire and Alexis!!), who have turned out to be very friendly and helpful, showing me around and introducing me to the right people. There is such a wide range of music here, and so much of it practically untapped outside of Senegal, and sometimes Europe. For every Youssou N’Dour touring the world, there’s an army of talented artists just begging for a little attention.
Last night, Monday night, I was taken to a salsa club (when do you ever read Monday night and club in the same sentence?), where I listened to Pape Fall, a major figure of Senegalese salsa. You’re probably asking yourself, Senegalese salsa?!?! Well that’s precisely where Akwaaba fits in. Hardly anybody’s heard of this stuff, but more importantly, you can barely find it, at least in the US. Here’s the best my competition came up with:
http://worldmusic.nationalgeographic.com/worldmusic/view/page.basic/artist/content.artist/pape_fall___african_salsa_39730
http://papefall.calabashmusic.com/
Who the hell goes to National Geographic for music??? And who ever shops at Calabash? World music fanatics MAYBE, but certainly not the rest of this planet… I can’t wait to shake things up.
But back to my trip, Dakar is a great place, the food is amazing, much, much, much better than in Ghana. Even dubious looking street meat tastes pretty good, and fish skewers, yassa chicken and the likes are properly filling my happy belly. The weather is super pleasant, it doesn’t get that hot, the ocean breeze feels nice. Better take advantage before I head to Bamako, where it’s basically the hottest time of the year. Free sauna anyone? The contacts I have here in Dakar are nice to hang out with, which makes a big difference, it’s so good to have people taking me around to their “secret” spots. I prefer to stay away from the beaten track, which is not always easy since I stick out like a sore thumb. The good news also is that there are cultural bridges with Bamako and Abidjan, so I will most likely arrive in these cities with contacts as well. Oh and on the dorky side of things, I’ve had super easy internet access, and a local cell phone (+221 76 496 3018 if you feel so inclined, Paris – 1 hour, Los Angeles + 7 hour).
Gotta get ready to meet with Michael, a radio and TV guy who’s been discovering new talent for a couple of decades. Apparently every single artist in the country knows him or owes him or both, and he seems interested in my project… so wish me luck!!!!!
Cheers,
Benjamin
