African Underground: Democracy in Dakar is a groundbreaking documentary film about hip-hop youth and politics in Dakar Senegal. The film follows rappers, DJs, journalists, professors and people on the street at the time before during and after the controversial 2007 presidential election in Senegal and examines hip-hop's role on the political process. Originally shot as a seven part documentary mini-series released via the internet - the documentary bridges the gap between hip-hop activism, video journalism and documentary film and explores the role of youth and musical activism on the political process.

African Underground: Democracy in paris is a unique and in-depth film about the hip hop generation of youth and the role they play politically during France's 2007 presidential elections. The film focuses on African immigrant families living in two infamous suburbs outside of Paris: Mantes La Jolie and La Sarcelles. This film incorporates a political journalistic style while showing a perspective never seen before. Originally shot as 5 mini-documentary shorts, the feature documentary bridges the gap between hip hop activism, video journalism and documentary film in its exploration of politics, immigration, hip hop, and youth in France.

Official promo video for the Hip-Hop Islam Tour - celebrating the diversity of Islam through hip-hop. http://www.hiphopislam.com http://www.nomadicwax.com http://www.myspace.com/offendum www.myspace.com/euphrates

Chosan from Sierra leone/UK with the African Underground All-stars © Nomadic Wax LLC Video by Magee McIvaine

Senegalese MC - Azbac performs Le 6Tem with the African Underground All-stars crew. Video shot and edited by Magee McIlvaine Nomadic Wax LLC 2008 http://www.nomadicwax.com http://www.mageefilms.com

Nomadic Wax's Ben Herson takes a drum solo with the African Underground All-Stars at the Trinity International Hip-Hop Festival

Nomadic Wax's Ben Herson and Sub Swara's Dave Sharma team up with DJ Boo for a Nomadic Wax beatdown in B-more!!

Blitz backed by the African Underground All-Stars. Video shot and edited by Magee Mcilvaine http://www.nomadicwax.com http://www.sol-productions.org

Blitz backed by the African Underground All-Stars. Video shot and edited by Magee Mcilvaine http://www.nomadicwax.com http://www.sol-productions.org

Koba backed by the African Underground All-Stars. Video shot and edited by Magee Mcilvaine http://www.nomadicwax.com http://www.sol-productions.org

Flex Matthews backed by the African Underground All-Stars. Video shot and edited by Magee Mcilvaine http://www.nomadicwax.com http://www.solproductions.org

Chosan (Sierra Leone) backed by the African Underground All-Stars. Video shot and edited by Magee McIlvaine http://www.nomadicwax.com http://www.sol-productions.com

African Underground All-stars - Moussa - performing 'Ghetto' live at Wesleyan.

In Senegal all rappers have a dream. Whether that dream lives in the spiritual, political or material realm, they all seek success and fame in these realms. But can this dream be achieved in Senegal - a country where the recourses are vastly limited and thousands of youth die every year trying to flee to Europe in small boats? Episode 6 - "The African Dream" addresses this question, and the desire for rappers in Senegal to export their music and live abroad. Featuring an interview (and freestyle) with legend Didier Awadi (of Positive Black Soul fame) and the track "Fresh Time Pt 1" by Zoo Squad off the album African Underground: Depths of Dakar.

Episode 5 "Galsene: Hip Hop in Senegal" explores the history of hip-hop culture in Senegal. From the old school MCs to the younger generation of rappers - Episode 5 lays out the who, what, when, and where of the hip-hop scene, and sheds light on both its political past as well as its present state. The episode ends with the song 'Hip-Hop' from Pikine rap super group - Tigrim Bi.

Democracy in Dakar, Episode 4 - "Wade Wins". This episode shows the calm after the storm. A very eerie calm indeed as all of Dakar seems stunned by the election results, where Wade has seemed to have won 56% of the vote. This episode shows the calm on the streets and some incisive interviews with journalists and artists. Gaston bring their appropriate and haunting track "Wallo" to this episode, as well as participate in a deep interview. Also featured are interviews with Keyti, Rose Skelton, Serigne Ndiaye, Pape Guey and Matador.

Episode 3 takes place on election day and follows the group Sen Kumpe through the day and their voting experience on into the immediate aftermath of the election, as people are sensing that Abdoulaye Wade may have won a slim majority in the election.

Democracy in Dakar, Episode 2 "Freedom of Speech" In the second installment of this documentary series, several of the main candidates for President in Senegal are introduced against a backdrop of the campaigning on the street and the perspective of hip-hop crews from across Dakar. The optimism that accompanies most elections is tempered with the reality of the emerging democracy in Senegal, including the suppression of criticism of the government, both through brute intimidation and more subtle means (bribery, lack of airplay, etc). Episode 2 closes with the song "Yaa Tey" by Xuman, one of the most prominent political rappers from the group Pee Frois.

Nomadic Wax and Sol Productions are in the process of filming 8 mini documentaries on location in Dakar Senegal documenting the role of hip-hop in their up and coming elections which are slated for February 25th 2007. This first episode sets the stage explaining the realities of life in Dakar, the role of hip-hop in the 2000 elections and brings us into the current state of modern Dakar, hip-hop, youth and politics. Featuring interviews with: Keyti (classic Senegalese MC from groups such as Rapadio and the Dakar All-stars) Eye Witness (underground MC from the Wa Geble crew) Tigrim Bi (underground hip-hop crew from Pickine) Birima Fall (Senegalese journalist/academic) Baat Sen (Griot/Reggae singer) You can watch the entire first episode here!

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