Nubian Underground Features |
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The Nubian Underground website features African hip-hop related news, information and opinion articles intended to promote awareness, responsibility and accountability within the African hip-hop culture. |
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Features |
Gokh-Bi System Special Feature |
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· Focus on Gokh-Bi System
In this issue, we focus on Gokh-bi System, a group we have been interested in since we first heard of them back in 1999. Gokh-Bi, which means Neighborhood, was created in March of 1994 in Pikine, Guinaw Rail ("The other side of the track"), a suburb of Dakar, Senegal. They now spend their time between the US and Senegal touring and other music related endeavors. They are also currently working on a full length album which we are eagerly anticipating...
Please enjoy this special feature...
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· Introducing Gokh-Bi System aka GBS
Gokh-bi, which means Neighborhood, was created in March of 1994 in Pikine, Guinaw Rail ("The other side of the track"), a suburb of Dakar, Senegal. Before we started the band, we were friends and brothers, spending most of our time together, sharing an understanding of the meaning of a hard life in poverty. In the early 1990's, Mamadou Ndiaye, one member of the band, introduced us to the culture of hip-hop. We all fell in love instantly with hip-hop because it was a form of music that represented life in the ghetto...
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· Words of Wisdom from Gokh-Bi System
Nubian Underground recently talked to Gokh-Bi System so as to get to the heart of who they are and what drives them and their music... In response to our questions, this is what they told us about themselves
Gokh-Bi System (a.k.a. GBS), which means neighborhood system in Wolof, is comprised of a group of friends who were born and raised on the same street in Guinaw Rails (Dakar, Senegal). Surrounded by poverty and temptation, the group took their experience as a source of inspiration and direction rather than succumbing to it as a way of life. For that reason, GBS exemplifies that you can come from the poorest neighborhood and still be positive minded and act as a role model for others...
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· Warefu Music (Mission of Music)
"Warefu Music" is a song/video about the importance Gokh-Bi places on the mission of their music, which is to deliver messages about peace, love and justice. Their songs move away from rap's characteristic messages of discontent to a call for action - a call for music to inspire people. Mamadou Ndiaye rhymes, "We have so many things to say. Let's stand for something positive."...
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· Gokh-Bi System: Mission of Music
This CD is dedicated to the "mission of music", which is to inspire, educate, nurture and bring people together. It's time!
Gokh-Bi System (a.k.a. GBS), African hip hop ambassadors from Senegal, represents modern day griot music with a combination of rap, funk, soul and traditional music styles. Growing up in "Guinaw Rails," one of the poorest neighborhoods of Dakar, endowed them with experiences which today guide them to talk about the importance of peace, love, justice and community...
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· Why Senegal? Why Gokh-Bi?
Doug Deutsch of A Round World and Gokh-Bi System tells Nubian Underground how and why he came to work with Gokh-Bi System and what he saw in them...
In 1998, I began working at a world music record label and was introduced to beautiful rhythms from around the world. I was immediately drawn to the music, which led me to discover places I never learned about in school...
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See Also Back Issue Articles:
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· Gox-Bi Systeme: Who are these guys? Part I
When we first heard about Gokh-Bi System we didn't really know who they were, we didn't even know the correct spelling of their name, but from the little we heard, we know there was something here. Below is the first blurb we originally published in NU0108 (volume 1 issue 8) about the group
We heard from Seth who was in a New York studio with a young up-and-coming, Dakar-based rap group called 'Gox-Bi Systeme'. They're a little different in that they rap in an American "West Coast" style (in English, French, Wolof, and Pulaar), but having a backing of traditional instruments! Very interesting stuff. Massamba Diop, the tama player from Baaba Maal, was recording with them. Something will be out soon. As soon as we can get more information on Gox-Bi Systeme, we will hit you off some!
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· Gokh-Bi System: Real Africa
In issue NU0304 (volume 3 issue 4), we reviewed one of Gokh-Bi System's earlier releases, an EP titled "Real Africa". This is the article we published in that issue.
The Real Africa sampler was sent to us from Tony Vacca's office. Tony Vacca has been involved with traditional West African musicians for a while now including Gokh-Bi System. The tracks on this sampler are heavily into the traditional West African instruments. The track Suma Deuk Waay for example is mainly acoustic drums and percussions...
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