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CULTURE

SENEGAL – Mimo Dia Leydimen dribbles between the truths and lies of “Koolaado”

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There are books that, by the force of the subjects discussed, mark you with warm iron. Each of your nervous endings takes a blow. Koolaado is one of these books. A true pandoresque liner, a mixture of disappointed hopes and broken dreams. Loaded to crack, from the hold to the ‘tween deck, his human cargo is a digest of despair. Between naked truth and white lie, author Mimo Dia Leydimen has opened a vein and found the strength to unroll lines of blood with everything he had in his gut. This work reminds me of a phrase of my mother: her heart opened in her belly, to say that he put in this book all the suffering of the expatriate. And why not? As much as we call “expats” white people who emigrate to Africa, we can also call black people who have emigrated to Europe. Simple reciprocity.

Writer, activist, political activist and Pan-Africanist
Mimo Dia Leydimen is one of those young people who do not hesitate to shout their discontent in the face of the stranglehold of international powers over African economies and emancipation. He is part of that African youth who no longer wants to be a slave to people. In his positions and in his books he delivers “the grandiose spectacle of a real revolution, of a social transformation” that shake a Africa desolate and still plagued by colonization. Mimo Dia Leydimen is a young person… so many things at once, that one hesitates to jump into the list. A young man like him, who has so many strings to his bow, it’s rare to find one. He is a writer, activist and political activist, a convinced Pan-Africanist, a fervent opponent of international organizations, a critic of the WHO and committed on the monetary front to an exit of the CFA franc, he wants to defend the sovereignty of Africa. After two fine works, “L’Afrique humiliée, l’enfer de la vérité” and “Nos larmes noires”, he returns in less than a year with a work that will make people talk about her: “Koolaado – Entre vérités et mensonges”.

“Koolaado – Between truths and lies”
Her father was soon orphaned – her father, a former Senegalese rifleman, was assassinated in a war between Senegal and Mauritania -, “Koolaado” in the absence of paternal authority was torn from her mother. He joins his aunt Halimata, on the paternal side, in Tabacounda. He drops out of school, sinks into delinquency and ends up in prison. Back in the village, in Boundou, he switched to transportation. It worked for him. After escaping sharia (amputation of hands), he emigrates clandestinely in France to his uncle. There, he is put on the street. Rebelote. He sinks into drugs. When he learns of his mother’s death! The news stuns him so much that he finds his mind again. Thanks to his friend Catherine, he finds work under a false name. When the pot of roses is discovered, he is expelled from France. Catherine is four months pregnant.

The author paints a picture of the bankruptcy of Senegalese society on every level; a society that spends its time ruminating on the old secular traditions: Senegal is a country of caste, marital irresponsibility and exacerbated submission to a retrograde way of life. He also talks about immigration. This book is also the desperate attempt of a man who is trying to give colour to his life. Young people who give up everything to go to sea at their own risk. And, who, when he arrives at Europe (the slap!), the latter has nothing of this Eldorado so much dreamed of. Something quite rare in African literature, the author addresses the theme of climate.

I loved the message behind this work. A message that can be summed up in these words: “There is only the promised land that saw us born. Africa has nothing to envy to the West. It should be the opposite.” This new discourse takes on the old narratives: The grass in the neighbor is always greener. Oh no! The lives of migrants, who most often work under the table, are not at all jojo. This book gives the reasons – in the smallest detail – that force some people into exile and they are multiple. These include financial necessity and various forms of persecution. Usually, people immigrate to escape some discomfort at home. One goes to the other in the hope of finding under a more merciful sky: refuge, rest, peace. This triptych is in short the main thread of this work. Mimo Dia Leydimen confides to her book her truths, her fears, her lies, her fears, her hopes.

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CULTURE

IVORY COAST – Ninwlou will be in Concert Slam on next Saturday

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On Saturday, September 14, 2024, at 7:30 pm, at the Wafou in Biétri, Nin’wlou, the slammer poet, will be in Concert Slam. When I talk about him, many will say it’s “something else”. And they’ll be right, because it’s going to be “Something Else” than a concert.

Around the slam
Even if the slam is now highly publicized “Le slam va bien, comme le disent les slameurs eux-mêmes”, it remains that it still hesitates to submit easily to attempts of definition, classification. It is a concept that could be described as polysemic since it is quite fluffy. Poetry? What poetry? A form of poetry? Singing? Rap?… A kind of African orality? Or a form of expression that is an intersection of several forms of artistic expression… Also, to be established in this environment (as elsewhere), any slameur must be original, that is to say, stand out from the crowd and draw crowds. And that’s Nin’wlou! Do not always recite the same texts without breath and avoid to invoke to pull-larigot common places devoid of charm. To be at the top, the slameur must always surprise himself. Ninwlou has understood this so well that he is now one of the essential voices of slam in West Africa.

Something else, like a maieutic
One thing is certain: “Autre Chose” will be “Of lightning and lightning: song of embers for a freedom in flames” – Thank you to the Muses with winged breasts for inspiring me this phrase: incruster Jean-Marie Adiaffi in this Autre Chose that Nin’wlou is about to offer. This association of poets prophesies what will happen. In this slam concert, the speech will be sometimes fire, sometimes embers; in any case, it will be something different than everything you have seen or heard on the slam. Artistic magic is using everyday words to breathe their own breath. Today and for eternity, the slam will remember that Nin’wlou did something else.

When the crisis gives rise to a vocation
Yet Nin’wlou’s love of words only began in 2010, the year of the post-election crisis in Côte d’Ivoire. As what, some brains only come to boil when bullets whistle over their heads. Since then, he has been constantly receiving awards and honours, both in the music scene “Man Tchè”, “Niehi, “Pour ces mômes” and in literature (Marche du Feu, 2022).

A voice for the future
With his voice a little nastily, Nin’wlou slame like a stand-upper. Donel Jack’sman sums up the artist’s art perfectly with this phrase: “… it is when a guy has the grace to make you believe that everything he tells is not written, that it is totally impro.” Nin’wlou energizes words, even those that are outdated, with an elegant panache. Go see Nin’wlou on stage unrolling his great lyric poetry. The slam of Nin’wlou, metaphors that trap and dazzle: the poetic panenka.

Ninw’lou

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CULTURE

SENEGAL – Mia Guissé sets fire to Casino of Paris: an anthology concert

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On Saturday, September 7, 2024, it was in the midst of the greatest success, quite enthusiastically, and in the presence of a large audience that a brilliant evening took place at the Casino de Paris. An exceptional event was on the program: the first major concert of Mia Guissé, organized by Boss +, the company for broadcasting and production of live shows. The Senegalese diaspora, as well as many music lovers, have experienced a magnificent concert, punctuated by the appearances of renowned artists such as Axel Merryl, Waly Seck or JAHMAN X-PRESS… For those who could not attend the event for reasons beyond their control, here are the highlights of this memorable evening where Senegal was celebrated in the heart of Paris. 

A lively atmosphere and a captivated audience
When we talk about a musical show, it is often the artist who is put forward; we don’t talk much about the orchestra. Before Mia’s arrival, the audience was enthralled by the skillful one who heated up the room with the energetic performance of Angie la Showkine. Then, come the friendly Seny Diop, star of mbalax, and the group Serigne Mor, who take the public with breath with its unmatched percussions. Congratulations to Boss +, who did not skimp on the means to make this concert a success.

Mia Guissé: a royal entrance and unforgettable duets
It is around 9 pm that Mia Guissé enters the room. The applause is thunderous, and the light plays sublimate his arrival. Wearing a glittering outfit, she begins with “IDDA”, the famous title that made her fame. The audience loves it. The cheers are running. With each of his songs, drawn from his repertoire, the brilliant star of the Casino, with the sharpest brightness of his voice, raises the thunder of applause. Throughout the evening, the singer never stopped surprising, chaining the songs with impeccable control. The show gains crescendo in intensity as guest artists take turns to take their place on the podium. The moving moment is when guest artist Axel Merryl joins her on stage. Together, they perform “Titulaire”, an already cult piece. The chemistry between the two artists is palpable. The duo inflames the room. But that’s not all: Mia also shares the stage with Waly Ballago Seck on the hit «Confuse». There are also artists like Jahman X-PRESS who, with his singular style, contributed to the show.

Spectacular outfits
Mia Guissé is dazzled not only by her talent, but also by her breathtaking outfits. As soon as she enters, she attracts all eyes with a white dress illuminated by garlands. As the show goes on, she follows with a bold denim outfit, composed of a corset and trousers with original details. Not forgetting her origins, she winks at the Peulh culture by wearing a traditional white boubou, embellished with jewelry and accessories.

A promising career
Mia Guissé has once again proved that she is a complete artist, both in her musical talent and her stage presence. This concert at the Casino de Paris, we hope, is just a new stage in a promising career. And hats to Boss + who always manages to make good African music heard in Paris by the African diaspora.

MIA GUISSÉ

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CULTURE

SENEGAL – MIA GUISSÉ, AN ARTIST WHO ROCKS

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See you on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 8 pm at the Casino de Paris. But it will not be to play blackjack, baccarat or even poker. The venue will be the stage of a large-scale musical show, organized by Boss Plus & Co, where Mia Guissé intends to make you go through all kinds of emotions. You will be warned!

Origins
Her real name is Aïssata Guissé, and she comes from Tambacounda, Senegal. She is not a novice who entered the music on a whim. At a very young age, she began performing at events in her home region. Then, after joining a group for a few years, she decides to go it alone. However, it is her title “Idda” that will reveal her to the world and make her enter the hearts of music lovers.

Career is a blast
The heart of music lovers conquered, this lovely singer with a sultry aura chases the tubes, starting with “Life is beautiful”, followed by “GLP” (2023), a *ndeweneul* with a frenetic rhythm and high in color. She then wins her ticket to skim the catwalks. She is not going to rest on her laurels and starts a tour of Senegal with “Éclosion”, as if to say that now the caterpillar has become a butterfly. Everywhere she goes, it’s sold out. There’s no one in the arts community but her. Obviously, it gets the title of «Tsunami de la musique sénégalaise» as it attracts crowds.

Mia Guissé @Photo page Facebook Mia Guissé

Haunting music
Her songs, with effervescent rhythms, are tinged with hip-hop. But when you listen closely, it is clearly afropop that she makes. Mia borrows a lot from the mbalax, with a sublime voice that gives the wolof a unique sound. Even if her flow is similar to that of Nigerian artists, Mia manages to retain this characteristic touch of mbalax. It’s true that her stage outfits don’t appeal to everyone, but it’s her personality. We’ll say she is like this! Let’s take it that way.

From success to success
In November 2023, it is the consecration when she releases a breathtaking single: “Lonkotina”. The video reaches one million views in less than 48 hours, an artistic feat. It means only one thing: the audience loves it. She multiplies collaborations with artists from different backgrounds. In May 2024, she released a new single whose clip, shot on the shores of the Ébrié lagoon in Abidjan, captivates music lovers. In an afropop style, she shows herself comfortable on mbalax.

Mia Guissé @Photo page Facebook Mia Guissé

A multi-talented artist
This rising star of Senegalese music has more than a string to its bow. In addition to being a great singer, Mia Guissé is also an accomplished designer. She designs and creates her own stage outfits, as well as those of her dancers and all the other members of her orchestra. All her clothing is branded with the brand “Miaguissestyle”, a brand that embodies a modern and authentic African vision of fashion.

A concert not to be missed
Mia Guissé will perform on September 7 at the Casino de Paris, and the atmosphere promises to be an unforgettable moment for her fans. This concert will start at 8 p.m. You are all invited. We have reserved our seats. You are the only ones missing! At the Casino de Paris, we’re gonna blow up the bank.

Mia Guissé @Photo page Facebook Mia Guissé

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