Democracy in Dakar

Democracy in Dakar

"Interviews and performances in the streets and studios of Dakar showcase a conversation about the self-understanding of a nation. It's about citizenship, as told by the country's unofficial scribes. The only narration provided is the soundtrack of their words. More than anything, these clips highlight the disparity between the vague and detached statistics that make up so much coverage of Africa--so many Africans died, this many Africans were killed--and the individuals allowed to speak for themselves throughout the film. The result is a nuanced and inspiring portrait of an activist community, both in its pre-election euphoria and in the soul-searching that comes after Wade's re-election... The most impressive element of the film is the resoluteness of the rappers, who see no option but to keep agitating through their art in hopes of a better Senegal."

-The Nation

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 full length feature documentary bridges the gap between hip-hop activism, video journalism and documentary film-making, and it explores the role of youth and musical activism on the political process.

REVIEWS
"Our viewers loved the unique take on African politics and global music culture."
-Current TV

"One of the concert highlights at Wesleyan University in a long time."
-Eric Charry, Wesleyan University; author, Mande Music

"An intriguing insight into the sociopolitical structure of Senegal... If you are looking to get a deeper outlook on what's happening in Senegal both musically and politically or if you just want to listen to some fresh African hip-hop, then you must take a look at this highly motivated, politically conscious project."
-BBC News

"HIp-hop is not dead, at least not in Africa. That was the consensus after a recent screening here of Democracy in Dakar."
-Shane Brown, OneWorld.net

"A mixture of journalism, academic inquiry, internet reality TV, and hip-hop activism--it was fresh and current as any news item but had the Senegalese as the protagonists, not the anchormen, and this made it something exciting to witness."
-Lydia Martin, WorldMusicSuite101.com

"Truly wonderful... you've made it easy to learn something that would come in a lot more boring cover under other circumstances."
-Tina Thuermer, Washington International School

"Most students had not been exposed to alternative hip-hop, and they were blown away by the talent and the energy of the performers... The students and I felt inspired to support alternative hip-hop and the social justice issues it engages."
-Laurie McMillan, Marywood University

"A powerful and thought-provoking insight into the relationship between politics and music at the heart of Senegal."
-Lauren Roth de Wolf, KalabashWorld.com

"I have screened Democracy in Dakar three times... I await with baited breath for Democracy in Paris!"
-Christina Anderson, Chair of 2007 UN Week Event UN & Hip Hop: Bridging the Gap

Sol Productions operates in two principal capacities. As a registered S-Corporation, Sol Productions in Venezuela, Inc., we produced and published ¿Puedo Hablar? in 2007. Under the non-profit Sol Productions Foundation we own and operate the Democracy in Dakar and Democracy in Paris series.