Baay Bia
West African
Hip Hop
West African
Hip Hop
About me
Born in Senegal, West
Africa,Birane Diouf AKA Baay Bia, has always been interested in music. He learned
much about singing from his mother who used to teach him traditional
songs when he was growing up. In 1991 he began performing as a guest
artist with other musicians and became known for his abilities as a
rapper. He took the name Baay Bia and is affectionately called ‘Baay
Bia, le petit boy Thia’ (the little boy of Thiaroye) for the
neighborhood of Thiaroye on the edge of Dakar, where he grew up and
still makes his home. From 1993 until 1999 he organized and led a group
of musicians under the name Black Face Productions who performed in and
around Dakar many times. Every year on June 21st he organizes and
sponsors a free concert for his community of Thiaroye Sur Mer. Many
artists participate and the event, attended by thousands of people, is
free for the public.
Baay Bia released his first cassette NATION with Bill Diakhou who is a popular rapper in Senegal. NATION was the best seller and winner of the Senegalese HIP HOP AWARDS in 2002. As a result of this award Baay Bia and Bill Diakhou were sponsored for a Senegalese tour with the participation of the National Television station "RTS" and "SOBOA". The song Audience Baykat was recognized by the Senegalese Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Pape Diouf, as an important commentary on the difficulties resulting from the migration of rural people into the major urban centers. The song is Audience Baykat became very well known in Senegal and was made into a music video with Baay Bia and Bill Diakhou for national TV.
In October 2002, Baay Bia participated in a tour "Campaign ANTI AIDS in Fouta" with internationally acclaimed singer Baaba Maal and his group Daande Lenol. This tour had the participation of Family Health International, American Peace Corps, and U.S.A.I.D. In 2003, Baaba Maal invited Baay Bia to perform on his cassette released with the title FARBA. The song featuring Baay Bia is Yela Yelé and whenever Baaba Maal performs this in Senegal, Baay Bia tours with him.
In 2004, Baay Bia released his first solo album LE MESSAGER recorded in Dakar, Senegal. He is joined by many guest musicians on his album, including Baaba Maal and Jimi Mbaye from Youssou N’dour’s Super Etoile band. The lyrics of one of the songs, Naru Elleg, raises awareness about issues of pollution and over-fishing the oceans. This song was recognized by OCEANIUM, an environmental protection organization, who sponsored a video of Naru Elleg for national TV and sponsored many subsequent tours,
The release of his second solo album Lilaay Wommat in 2006 has been met with resounding critical acclaim and placed Baay Bia in the forefront of the Hip Hop music scene in Senegal. The track Africa, which is a compelling call for African identity, unity and peace was #1 in the Senegal music charts for many months. As a result of the release of Lilaay Wommat Baay Bia toured extensively throughout Senegal in 2006.
Lilaay Wommat brings together Baay Bia’s musical talents and socially conscious lyrical abilities in a way that has worldwide appeal. With Dakar alone claiming many thousands of hip hop groups, a testament to the popularity of this music genre, Baay Bia stands out as a positive, dynamic force. It has also been released for sale and distribution in the USA.
Baay Bia has been collaborating with American Hip Hop artists Lace Cadence and Catchphrase of Clockwork and Blast Off Productions. They are working together to create a new sound that is a fusion of Baay Bia’s unique style with it’s roots in Senegalese traditions and an American hip hop that has emerged from the Pacific Northwest Coast of the USA and Canada. In late 2008 the album Waar was completed in Seattle USA as a result of this cooperative effort. Many of the songs on the album have been performed at festivals in the USA in 2007 and 2008, including shows in Seattle, Chicago and Detroit. He will also be touring in Norway and West Africa in December of 2008. Baay Bia returns regularly to Senegal to tour and perform. He also maintains a close working relationship with Ali Aidar and Oceanium, supporting their continuing work on environmental issues.
Baay Bia is Baay Faal,the first religion with dread locks,he is muslim,well aducated,gentle and polite person.
And here is Maam Cheikh Ibra Faal, the one that makes Black People being respected in Africa.
Maam Cheikh Ibra Faal
Baay Bia released his first cassette NATION with Bill Diakhou who is a popular rapper in Senegal. NATION was the best seller and winner of the Senegalese HIP HOP AWARDS in 2002. As a result of this award Baay Bia and Bill Diakhou were sponsored for a Senegalese tour with the participation of the National Television station "RTS" and "SOBOA". The song Audience Baykat was recognized by the Senegalese Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Pape Diouf, as an important commentary on the difficulties resulting from the migration of rural people into the major urban centers. The song is Audience Baykat became very well known in Senegal and was made into a music video with Baay Bia and Bill Diakhou for national TV.
In October 2002, Baay Bia participated in a tour "Campaign ANTI AIDS in Fouta" with internationally acclaimed singer Baaba Maal and his group Daande Lenol. This tour had the participation of Family Health International, American Peace Corps, and U.S.A.I.D. In 2003, Baaba Maal invited Baay Bia to perform on his cassette released with the title FARBA. The song featuring Baay Bia is Yela Yelé and whenever Baaba Maal performs this in Senegal, Baay Bia tours with him.
In 2004, Baay Bia released his first solo album LE MESSAGER recorded in Dakar, Senegal. He is joined by many guest musicians on his album, including Baaba Maal and Jimi Mbaye from Youssou N’dour’s Super Etoile band. The lyrics of one of the songs, Naru Elleg, raises awareness about issues of pollution and over-fishing the oceans. This song was recognized by OCEANIUM, an environmental protection organization, who sponsored a video of Naru Elleg for national TV and sponsored many subsequent tours,
The release of his second solo album Lilaay Wommat in 2006 has been met with resounding critical acclaim and placed Baay Bia in the forefront of the Hip Hop music scene in Senegal. The track Africa, which is a compelling call for African identity, unity and peace was #1 in the Senegal music charts for many months. As a result of the release of Lilaay Wommat Baay Bia toured extensively throughout Senegal in 2006.
Lilaay Wommat brings together Baay Bia’s musical talents and socially conscious lyrical abilities in a way that has worldwide appeal. With Dakar alone claiming many thousands of hip hop groups, a testament to the popularity of this music genre, Baay Bia stands out as a positive, dynamic force. It has also been released for sale and distribution in the USA.
Baay Bia has been collaborating with American Hip Hop artists Lace Cadence and Catchphrase of Clockwork and Blast Off Productions. They are working together to create a new sound that is a fusion of Baay Bia’s unique style with it’s roots in Senegalese traditions and an American hip hop that has emerged from the Pacific Northwest Coast of the USA and Canada. In late 2008 the album Waar was completed in Seattle USA as a result of this cooperative effort. Many of the songs on the album have been performed at festivals in the USA in 2007 and 2008, including shows in Seattle, Chicago and Detroit. He will also be touring in Norway and West Africa in December of 2008. Baay Bia returns regularly to Senegal to tour and perform. He also maintains a close working relationship with Ali Aidar and Oceanium, supporting their continuing work on environmental issues.
Baay Bia is Baay Faal,the first religion with dread locks,he is muslim,well aducated,gentle and polite person.
And here is Maam Cheikh Ibra Faal, the one that makes Black People being respected in Africa.
Maam Cheikh Ibra Faal
Rassuul
Baaba Maal - Maam Jaara
Baay Bia
Baay Bia have done some good music with his brother Seybatou in his release Lilay Wommat and Waar.
Seybatou is a talented singer with a powerful voice and his guitar.
Seybatou is a talented singer with a powerful voice and his guitar.
