Sangue Bi defines himself as a ragga dancehall artist. He's partly right. However, even if his new album 'Adouna' meets all the criteria of the genre, Sangue Bi, stands out because of his originality: a phrasing that belongs to him, and him alone; creating his own corner between African reggae and ragga/dancehall music.
Apart from the fact that he sings in Wolof, Africa is omnipresent in his music: percussions, melodies, songs with traditional African accents. From his first solo title 'Fande' to his new album 'Adouna' , which he just released in December, Sangue Bi puts his warm and lyrical vocal stamp on songs, marked with nostalgia, gravity, humor, love, hymns to life and women.
As its name already implies, 'Intro', is the preamble of the album. From the first notes, the voice of Sangue Bi sublimates a sweet melody that thanks Jah Almighty and the feminine gender. 'Love So Nice', a love ballad, describes the well-being of the moment when we fall in love, celebrating the couple's happiness. Sangue Bi also reveals his lover's side in 'Long, Long', which talks about an unforgettable love, a theme he revisits with 'Woman', expressing the love which he usually bears for women in general, and also a tribute dedicated to his mother, who's always supported him. One hears all the tenderness of a son for his mother, resulting in a touching title that praises all mothers and does them justice.
'Lepp Dina Soti' carries a message of hope and is addressed to the African youths. "Things will get better!", ensures Sangue Bi. This optimistic song is one of highlights of the album. 'Friend' talks about friendship and fraternity. It has an African vibe, inspired by traditional Malian music, sounds energetic, infectious and inspiring.
'Fi Dafa Meti', translating as: "It's hard here!", is one of the album's more conscious titles. It talks about the difficulties Africans experience, trying to find a place in this world and in daily life. Like in 'Fande', Sangue Bi portrays a dark reality: the inability to find a job to support oneself and access to a simple happiness. 'Xhaleyi', is a plea to help street children, asking to protect the so-called "talibés" (marabout's disciples). In this opus, Sangue Bi tackles all aspects of a hard social reality, but he also shows a positive reflection on life, over cheerful, uplifting riddims ; as if to say that life is multiple, elusive and goes far beyond what we face all days.
Then there's, 'Lola', a combination with Shadow, and a real musical gem. The rapper, well-known from his involvement with VIB, a project that separated which disbanded in the years 2000, raps in French; a nice surprise for all the fans of the artist and a testament of the long friendship between Shadow and Sangue Bi, two emblematic figures of the Senegalese scene.
The album concludes with 'Safoulène', in which Sangue Bi thanks his fans, asking them: "Do I please you?". Our answer is a resounding: "Yes, flash it!"
.Dl7BAwhJ_ZJXLLF.webp)
