There’s a fast growing collection of cross-over hip hop songs produced by Central and West African artists making a living in the diaspora (especially in French-speaking hotbeds like Marseilles, Paris or Brussels), lyrically reaching back to the countries they’ve left. This collaboration between Togolese artist YaoBobby (rapping in Mina) and the prolific Fredy Massamba (singing in Lingala) on ‘(R)Evolution’ is another example. (You recognize the shirts.)
YES INDEED !!! Thanks Tom for highlighting this. Not only they are reaching back as you say, but they are doing an amazing job for social responsibility and education. Moreover a number of artists are deciding to stay or go back home to be more efficient locally. Check Lexxus Legal in Congo, Amkoullel in Mali, Awadi in Senegal and many more…
mab