Tata Pound
Tata Pound is probably the name most associated with Hip Hop and Rap in Mali. And for good reason. Tata Pound has the historical, political and lifestyle credentials to compete with the biggest names world wide. Tata Pound is composed of two words to know: "Tata" and "Pound". The name "Tata" coming from the history of Mali in colonial times, this is the name that was given to a wall that protected the city of Sikasso (to the south of the Mali) against the invaders, be they African or European. The wall of the Tata measured seven (7) meters of top for three (3) meters of wide one. The choice of the name "Tata", comes from the fact that the members of the group (all Malian ones) having all summer to the Malian school, were marked by this period of the history of their country, that they considers as being the one of the more glorious one. This choice, show also the will of the rappers of the group, to put in relief their membership to Africa and in particular to the Mali, and by the same occasion, recall the prestigious one passed of their nation that for them to obligation to intend itself for a future that should be all also radiate. In sum it "Tata" must mean the serious side, engraves, intellectual, and afro optimist of the Niaiserie. The word "Pound" coming from the English, this word is the one that designates the British monetary unity. This word represents the festive character of certain speeches of the group, and the possibility to distract that have the Tata Pound, this that one could qualify by: "the side Fun". The group is constituted of three rappers: Adama Mamadou Diarra (aka Djo Dama): student in masters to the faculty of social anthropology of Bamako, 24 years old. Sidy Soumaoro (aka Ramses): student in masters in installation, 25 years old. Mahamadou Dicko (aka Dixon): student as the two others, it prepares a license in superior mathematical to Bamako, 23 years old. These three rappeurs have in common a number of things: they are childhood friends, coming from the same neighborhood (Badalabougou neighborhood in Bamako), divides the same passion of the rap and have the same inspiration sources: the street and the scientific and historic manuscripts for the texts and the reggae and the rap for the music. Among their favorite artists, one can note Barrington Levy, Bob Marley, IAM, Tupac, Salif Keita or again Public Enemy. The group was created in 1995 following a competition of rap. It counts a to manage producer of the name of Mamani Samassékou said Abba and of a régisseur of the name of Balla Gueye since June 1999.