Outstanding vocalist, Senegalese artist Faada Freddy is one of the pioneers of African hip hop with the Dakar group Daara J. At the same time, he released his first solo album in 2015, aged 40: Gospel Journey. His challenge: to use only voice and body percussion to imitate the sound of instruments. 8 years later, the singer is making a comeback with Tables Will Turn : a 5 titles which announces an album once again 100% organic. Portrait.
An accomplished dandy with a happy face, Faada Freddy has a unique voice, described by American singer Lenny Kravitz as “effortless”. Understand: natural, organic, self-evident.
An exceptional vocalist, Faada Freddy is one of the pioneers of African hip hop: for nearly 30 years, he has been mixing soul, reggae, a capella singing and conscious rap with the Dakar group Daara J, which has become Daara J Family. Six albums on the clock.
In parallel, Faada Freddy a sorti in 2015, à 40 ans, are 1st solo album : Gospel Journey. His challenge: to use only voice and body percussion to imitate the sound of instruments.
Fitted velvet suit and bowler hat screwed on his dreads, Faada Freddy transposed his acoustic formula in concert with five vocalists, in a staging without artifice, but of unstoppable efficiency.
8 years and 300 concerts around the world later, the Senegalese singer is making a comeback with Tables Will Turn : a 5 titles which announces an album once again 100% organic but of which, unlike Gospel Journey almost entirely composed of covers, Faada Freddy signs all the pieces.
Faada Freddy gave me an appointment in the very place where he recorded this new project, a studio located in Pantin, in the north of Paris. On a huge leather sofa, we talked about all the rhythms, songs and other dances (from assiko to gospel, including popping) that shaped the man and the artist he is today. .
SessionLab by Hortense Volle: a conversation in complete privacy and in 3D audio (spatialized sound).
A podcast to listen to, preferably, with headphones.
Achievement : Benjamin Sarralie
3D mixing: Jeremy Besset
Production : RFI Labo
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Titles broadcast:
Single Tables will Turn (2023)
Extract of Tribute Bob Marley – The Legend (2016): No woman no Cry
Taken from the album Gospel Journey (Think Zik – 2015) : Letter to the World ; We Sing in Time ; Little Black Sandals ; Let it Go ; Borom Bi Single Lying to Me (2015) :
Taken from the album To the Yamates the Daara J Family (2020) : Tchékoulé; Yaamatele ; Jamon ; do not
Taken from the album Foundation (2016) the Daara J Family : African Woman
And also :
Daara J – Ado du Raggamuffin et Borom Bi
Ndiaga Mbaye – Suul ker
Mah Kouyate – London
Freddie McGregor– I Was Born A Winner
Excerpts from the CAN 2022 Final (RFI)
PBS – Boul Fale Extract from the film Break Street 84a 1984 American musical film directed by Joel Silberg.