Baay Sooley is one of the best known hip hop dancer in Senegal. He toured worldwide as the dancer of the PBS crew and still continues his ascension as a well-recognised choreograph after having realised the choreography of the first ever hip hop musical comedy The Extraordinary Stories of the Poto-Poto Children. Recently, his artistic talents have been once again renewed with the creation of his street wear brand, Bull Doff.
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Baay Sooley, of his real name Souleymane Diagne, is the most prominent figure of hip hop dance in Senegal. Having grown up in an environment surrounded by dance (his father was working at the famous Sorano Theatre in Dakar), Baay Sooley starts at a very early age his first dancing performances with his elder brother. With the arrival of Hip Hop in the Senegalese capital, he jumps into the movement being even among the first to professionalise its dancing expression while most of the community was already turning towards the MC performance. Thanks to his passion and perseverance in hip hop dance, Baay Sooley soon becomes the official dancer of the now famous PBS. When PBS splits in 2001, Baay Sooley integrates the new formation , PBS Radikal.[1][2]
Besides, while well-known and recognised for his dancing talents, Baay Sooley surprised many of the Hip Hop Galsen when releasing in 2004, his debut album “Ndol”, mixing hip hop, reggae, ragga, and dancehall.[3]
Coming back to his pet expression, between 2005 and 2006, Baay Sooley realises the choreography of the first hip hop musical comedy, “The extraordinary stories of the Poto-Poto Children” performed by the members of AURA (United Artists for African Rap). His choreographic realisation has since then been touring throughout West Africa.
In 2008, Baay Sooley lands his latest surprise to Hip Hop Galsen and launches his street wear brand, Bull Doff.[4] Revealing himself as the creator and designer of this new line, Baay Sooley can be proud of dressing up many of the contemporary artists active on the Hip Hop Galsen scene. With respect, Baay Sooley stands out as an amazing example of how resourceful hip hop artists are and how entrepreneurial mind can motivate their always renewed initiatives.