After setting up shop in a mobile rig for three months, producer Ben Herson returned to New York with some of the hottest underground sounds from Senegal’s up-and-coming and established hip-hop music makers. Three years later, the result, African Underground – Depths of Dakar, makes a good argument for RV-style hip-hop. In French, Wolof and smatterings of English, these artists communicate across a barrier that proves music is the world’s language. Even in absence of trendy producers and knowledge of local slang, the music speaks for itself, telling the listeners when to care, laugh and chill out.

Pato’s “Keep It Real” mixes the dance party feel of old Luke songs where you imagine booty-shaking at rapid speeds occurring somewhere near a pool in Miami and the rapid flow of Dizzee Rascal. Oddly enough, this dance music disguises a responsible political message for rappers to remember their duty to the people.

“Geble Night in Blue” by Nightmare is a surreal, dark blend of ODB’s warbling and Mobb Deep’s grimly painted ghetto landscapes (Geble means ‘ghetto’ in Wolof). Wonderfully creepy, it couldn’t have been performed by a more aptly named rapper. On Nightmare’s heels is Adama with the mellow, reggae-tinged “Aduna Bi.” The vibe takes you back to sweet R&B summer songs reminiscent of Shanice and the Fresh Prince. Senegal rap veteran Omzo enlists some Zap Mama-esque vocal talent to add an epic feel to the memories unleashed in “Li Guen Pt 2.” The heavenly chants on the track echo the pain of a man who lost three close family members in one year as the voices sneak into the eardrum and grab your attention when you least expect it.

The smooth R&B is more effective than the high energy, pure rap tracks. Perhaps it’s foreign language bias, but it’s harder to connect to the madness behind an M.O.P.-type group in French than it is to grasp the warmth and passion behind the slow groove music. Then, in the case of Fresh Time Pt 2 (Beyondo Outro) by the Zoo Squad, they give a dose of both worlds - raw opening verses blending into a jazzy instrumental. The hodgepodge of styles on that one track is emblematic of the entire album’s scattered sensibilities of Dakar’s impressive underground scene.
- Candace L.