Interesting article about rappers in Senegal (via metafilter):
We’re not like the Americans, whose texts are just insults and abuse,’ many rappers assure me. ‘It’s not a question of money, weapons, sports cars, or beautiful women either. Senegalese rap, it’s the street speaking. We are journalists, reporters of everyday life.’ Others consider themselves teachers or educators of the masses who did not receive any schooling. The question is: who were their own teachers? Yes, they can read and write, but they barely finished grade school. Few are interested in secondary school training. The school uniforms are expensive, not to mention the writing materials, school bags, and copybooks. Besides, what’s the use of all the boring stuff they’re trying to teach you there?