Les Escrocs
Les Escrocs (The Crooks) are an exponent of the youngest generation of rap groups in Mali. They distinguish themselves by using predominantly traditional Malian instruments, such as balafon, n'goni, tamani, djembé and calebash.Consisting of Mamadou Tounkara and Salim Diallo, their music is at the same time rap as well as World Music.They have toured in Mali, in Bénin (where they won a price as révélation du rap africain) and in the Netherlands (2001). In addition, they have been invited to perform at the opening and closing ceremony of the African Nations Cup of football in Bamako in 2002.Until October 2005, the albums of Les Escrocs were not available in the west, but one of their songs, Pirates, features on the CD sampler African Raps released by Trikont Records as well as on Mali Lolo: Stars of Mali, released by the Smithsonian Folkways label. Another song, Kalan can be found on a sampler Couleurs de Bamako released by RFI Musique. Now, a new CD has been released by Naxos World.The band was created in 1996 by Mamadou Tounkara with the complicity of two childhood friends: Salim and Modibo Diallo.They are from Kita (region of Kayes) were they spent their childhood before coming in Bamako (capital of Mali) after their succeeding at the exam taken at the age of 16. The band Les Escrocs have taken its first steps in music at the occasion of the regional scholar weeks, local artistic and cultural of Mali.At the end of the 80es, democracy arrives on the continent; the politics don’t hesitate any more to shout their will of more liberty, equality and justice. Rap, being the instrument of the voiceless, takes after and denounces the problems of the society.In Mali, several bands of rappers appear among which the band "Les Escrocs”. They took for them the declaration of Your Lordship Luc Sangaré: “a tap that stayed to long close will pour out yellowish water at the opening.” They compose the title “Sara” (salary in Bambara) that speaks about the too small Malian salary that moreover is not regularly paid.Truth is told clearly and for the first time in Mali, traditional instruments appeared in Rap; an idea of the famous Kora player Toumani Diabaté.The album is released in February 1998 and is the best sales of the Malian hip hop. It is awarded best revelation in 1999 at the "Etoiles de la Musique Malienne" (stars of the malian music). This album permitted them to take part in all the musical meeting in Mali and they were the best of all the West African hip hop bands in Cotonou (Benin).Les Escrocs made humanitarian tasks in Mali in their manner Echosida, Sida tour, le Train de l'espoir…).From Bamako to Gao and from Kayes to Mopti, Les Escrocs travelled Mali to diffuse their message. "Sara" is no more a tabou, it’s in every mouth but what should be done to make salaries paid in time?The politics proposed the operation "Kokadjè" (washed and clean) but the band is not dupe enough to believe in the sincerity of this operation that is in their opinion a delusion. That’s why the second album is called "Kokadjè".Les Escrocs touched several matters as the Malians expulsed from France, to teachers, to African women and struggle against HIV. It was in April 1999.The third album "Kalan" which was released on 1st march 2001 consecrated their attachment to Malian cultural values, the "Mandinka Rap" (acoustic Malian rap) is now a reality as the electrical sounds give the place to acoustic.This new album shows the talent of this two young people, two because the third one left for personal reasons. Les Escrocs are pioneers in the fast-growing world of African rap and hip-hop. Since the early 1990's the group has helped to define the cutting edge of new music in West Africa, mixing traditional instruments with international beats while boldly addressing sensitive issues of national politics. This disc offers a retrospective of their first decade. They are one of the most innovative and talented groups to emerge from the awesome crucible of ancient and modern arts that is Mali.