ALIF (Liberate Attack of the Feminist Infantry) is the pioneer female hip hop trio of Hip Hop Galsen. Emerging in the late mid-1990s, ALIF offered a feminine and feminist flavour to Hip Hop Galsen encouraging women to play their part in the movement. The group split beginning of 2010 after thirteen years of a memorable career.
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In 1997, Myrièm (Marième Diallo), Njaayaa (Ndiaya Gueye) and Oumy (Oumy Ndiaye) created ALIF, the first female hip hop trio emerging on Hip Hop Galsen scene. ALIF initially started like most of Senegalese hip hop artists as dancers first. Supported by pioneer hip hop artists such as Awadi (PBS), Xuman (Pee Froiss) or the group Daara J, the female crew soon develops an original sound and repertoire. In 1999, ALIF releases its debut album, “Viktim”, a production of the Senegalese hip hop label Optimist Produktion. With this cassette, ALIF marks the official entry of women in Hip Hop Galsen[1].
After several featuring (Awadi, Chaka Bab’s) and participations on different compilations (Asbef, Dakar Raps), ALIF releases its second album in 2004, this time produced by a German label, Out/Here Records. In “Dakamerap”, ALIF reaffirms its constant engagement in favour of the women cause and their rights. With respect, they tackle issues such as polygamy and forced marriage, rapping in French, English and Wolof. This second album meets a hug success both locally and internationally and allows the female trio to tour throughout Europe (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy).
In 2006, the group reconfigures itself. Indeed, Njaayaa leaves the trio in order to work on solo projects and is replaced by a young singer, Mamy (Ndèye Oumi Mbaye). With such a newly recomposed ALIF, the female group releases, in 2008, a third album[2]. “Rareti” distinguishes itself from the previous productions for its combination of rap and mbalax (popular Senegalese musical genre rendered famous by Youssou N’dour). “Rareti” happens to be the last release of the trio who announced its separation beginning of 2010.
Although ALIF’s split put an end to the group’s career, we may well still hear from its members. Indeed, since 2006, Myrièm has been involved in AURA (United Artists for African Rap) and still actively tours with its musical comedy “The Extraordinary Stories of Poto-Poto Children”, in which she interprets the role of a young girl rapped by her father. Besides, since 2006, Njaayaa has been intensively working on her projects extensively performing on the live scene of Dakar. Her debut solo album, “Social Living”, is thus well expected and is currently being prepared under the Senegalese label, Def Dara[3].
AURA (United Artists for African Rap)