Daara J

Philadelphia Weekly
June 19, 2006

Editor's Picks

MUSIC

Daara J

Wed., July 19, 8pm. $25. With DJ King Britt. Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Broad and Spruce sts. 215.893.1999. www.kimmel center.org

Widely regarded as an original American art form, hip-hop can actually be traced back to tasso, an ancient form of rhythmic poetry prevalent in West African oral tradition.

Senegalese rap trio Daara J doesn’t want you to forget that—as evidenced by the opening line of 2003’s Boomerang: “Born in Africa, brought up in America, hip-hop has come full circle.” And although lately it may seem you can’t swing a dead cat ’round these parts without hitting a Senegalese hip-hop artist, Daara J gots the milkshake that brings the boys to the yard.

Retracing the giant steps tread by compatriots Positive Black Soul and MC Solaar, Daara J is determined to get your head noddin’ with funky Cuban-tinged rhythms while rockin’ your cerebellum with intensely provocative lyrics delivered in English, French and their native dialect Woloff.

Not content to occupy the fringe, Daara J (“School of Life”) edited speeches and consulted campaigners in Senegal’s 2000 election—a vote that resulted in a slew of new young voters contributing to the ouster of a corrupt regime.

Wow—using hip-hop as a tool to enact positive social change? What a freakin’ concept! And all this time we were just blinded by the bling. (Joshua Valocchi)