Matador (WA BMG 44)

Matador is one of the most prominent figures of underground Hip Hop in Senegal. Founding member of the Thiaroye’s group, WA BMG 44, Matador has toured throughout the world gaining an international recognition from the underground hip hop scenes abroad. Since 2006, his struggle to represent the voiceless youth of his home country has taken a renewed turn with the creation of his structure, Africulturban in Pikine. Through this space dedicated to the youth, Matador reiterates his social and political engagement while pursuing his role of “Number One System Enemy” and “General Major Chief of the Dying People Army”.

Matador, aka Xarale made his first steps in Hip Hop in 1984 as a dancer first; he was then 12 years old. It is only in 1992, that Matador, of his real name Babacar Diagne, creates with two of his school friends, Mokhtar and Gueye (Omar) – where “BMG” initials come from – the group which later will be called Wa BMG 44. BMG soon comes to represent the whole neighbourhood of Thiaroye, having all the young people from this Dakar’s banlieue following and coming to support its crew each time they were performing. With respect, Wa BMG was one of the most energetic performers of Hip Hop Galsen. Before the release of their first production in 1998, the group then added to its name the number 44 in memory of the Senegalese Tirailleurs shot in Thiaroye, on December, 1st 1944, by the French colonial army after having demanded compensations for their active participation in the French army during the second world war. Nowadays, the name Wa BMG 44 is often interpreted as “Wa Bokk Menmen Guestu” which in wolof literally means "All together to think better".

After their first release “Def Ci Yaw” which furiously spoke out against Senegalese government corruption and thievery, Wa BMG 44 tours throughout Europe slowly building a name for itself inside the wider underground hip hop community. In 2002, during a trip organised in Brussels, the group meets with the rapper and producer SMIMOOZ, with whom they record a year later the compilation "BXL-DAKAR des millions de mikes à parcourir" featuring rappers from Brussels like Pasco, Vagabond, Uman, Pitcho, Lady N & Catseyes as well as the group Pee Froiss from Dakar. In 2004, Wa BMG 44 pursues its impressive ascension and definitively imposed itself as one of the most respected figures of Hip Hop Galsen. After recording their classic hip-hop anthem "44" on African Underground Vol.1, they go back in studio in Belgium and work on their highly anticipated second full length release. This album, called "44 4 Life" comes out in 2004 scoring a nationwide hit with the first single "Jox Ma Sa 5". For the summer tour of this second album, Wa BMG welcomes the female MC Fatim who, since then, has become 44's first lady of honour.

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Wikipedia