Ep. 100: Fou Malade: Hip Hop, Resistance, and the Making of a New African

This episode is from a 2024 interview with Malal Talla—better known as Fou Malade—a legendary figure in Senegalese hip hop and co-founder of the activist collective Y’en a Marre. A key voice in Senegal's social and political landscape, Fou Malade shares his journey from early musical influences and socially conscious lyricism to organizing protests and grassroots mobilization through music.

In the interview, we explore:

• His early days as an MC influenced by Pan-Africanism, figures like Kwame Nkrumah and Thomas Sankara, and groups like Positive Black Soul
• The evolution of Senegalese hip hop from political consciousness to mainstream commercialization
• The rise and impact of Y’en a Marre and its influence across Africa, including his arrest in the DRC
• How governments have tried to co-opt or silence politically engaged hip hop movements
• The role of hip hop festivals in fostering Pan-African artistic and political collaboration
• His vision for a “new type of African”—one rooted in ethics, activism, and social responsibility

Whether you’re into hip hop, social movements, or Pan-African politics, this episode offers a powerful look into how culture can be used to inspire change across the continent.