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Les Escrocs
(Mali)
Biography
Les Escrocs (=extorters, thiefs) are an exponent of the new generation of rap groups in Mali
around 2000. They distinguish themselves by using predominantly traditional Malian instruments, such as balafon, n'goni,
tamani, djembé and calebash.
Consisting of Mamadou Tounkara and Salim Diallo, their music is at the same time rap as well as World Music.
They have toured in Mali, in Bénin (where they won a price as révélation du rap africain) and in the Netherlands (2001). In addition, they have been invited to perform at the opening and closing ceremony of the African Nations Cup of football in Bamako in 2002.
Until October 2005, the albums of Les Escrocs were not available in the west, but one of their songs, « Pirates », features on the CD sampler African Raps released by Trikont Records as well as on Mali Lolo: Stars of Mali, released by the Smithsonian Folkways label. Another song, « Kalan » can be found on a sampler Couleurs de Bamako released by RFI Musique. Also in 2005, Now, a new CD-album has been released by Naxos World.
Consisting of Mamadou Tounkara and Salim Diallo, their music is at the same time rap as well as World Music.
They have toured in Mali, in Bénin (where they won a price as révélation du rap africain) and in the Netherlands (2001). In addition, they have been invited to perform at the opening and closing ceremony of the African Nations Cup of football in Bamako in 2002.
Until October 2005, the albums of Les Escrocs were not available in the west, but one of their songs, « Pirates », features on the CD sampler African Raps released by Trikont Records as well as on Mali Lolo: Stars of Mali, released by the Smithsonian Folkways label. Another song, « Kalan » can be found on a sampler Couleurs de Bamako released by RFI Musique. Also in 2005, Now, a new CD-album has been released by Naxos World.
Les Escrocs
• Les Escrocs consists of:
Mamadou Tounkara: born 1974, in Boudéfo (5km of Kita)
Salim Diallo: born 1975, in a small town 185 km from Bamako
Created: May 1996 by Mamadou Tounkara
Style: mandeka rap
Discography
Mamadou Tounkara: born 1974, in Boudéfo (5km of Kita)
Salim Diallo: born 1975, in a small town 185 km from Bamako
Created: May 1996 by Mamadou Tounkara
Style: mandeka rap
Discography
| Title | Year | Label | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mandinka Rap from Mali | 2005 | Naxos World 76060-2 | CD |
| Koumba et Sané | 2005 | Mali K7 | Acoustic solo album by Mamadou Tounkara, dedicated to his two mothers |
| Ben | 2003 | Seydoni | Local cassette production |
| 2002 CAN | 2002 | Seydoni | Album by Mamadou Tounkara & Les Escrocs, local cassette production |
| Kalan | 2001 | Mali K7 S.A. | Local cassette/CD-R production |
| Kokadjè | 2000 | Mali K7 S.A. | Local cassette/CD-R production |
| Saara | 1998 | Mali K7 S.A. | Local cassette production |
Sources
Page added July 2002