Gokh-Bi System

about

Childhood friends from the Dakar, Senegal hood of Pikine Guinaw Rail-literally "the other side of the tracks"- Gokh-Bi System (pronounced Go Bee) reunite rap with its ancient West African ancestors in a style dubbed "ancient meets urban. "Formed in 1993 by three childhood friends: Mamadou Ndiaye (Emcee), Diasse Pouye (Emcee), and Pape Bathie Pouye (Music Director/Manager). The three boys were transfixed by the conscious lyrics and powerful messages found in hip hop and began creating their own lyrics against the beat. They started out imitating what they heard on the cassettes, combining English, French, Arabic, and several other Senegalese dialects including Wolof (the official language of Senegal), Serer, and Jola into their own flow. Soon freestyle turned into original compositions and the boys from the other side of the tracks added Backa Niang (percussionist/vocals) and Sana Ndiaye (ekonting/vocals) and christened themselves Gokh-Bi System which means neighborhood system. A distinctive component of GBS's authentic sound is the ekonting, an ancient instrument once used to calm social unrest played by Sana. Gokh-Bi's positive message, inspired by rap greats from The Last Poets to Chuck D, transform the group's sound into an uplifting yet hardhitting African homecoming for hip hop that has been described as The Roots hanging with Baaba Maal. Drummer Matt Garstka, bassist/keyboardist Joe Sallins and Guitarist Greg Garstka add modern instrumentation while an African dancer

top songs

albums

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Mission of Music

Africa Raps

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Voice of the Jeli

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Many Lessons: HipHop, Islam, West Africa

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Rap Tassu

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Yaye (feat. Mame Balla)

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Many Lessons

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Africa Raps (Senegal, Mali & Gambia)

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Message From Home ... Suma Deuk Waay

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Africa Raps (Senegal, Mali & The Gambia)

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Bantu, Docta, Sister Fa And More Many Lessons

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Africa Raps - Senegal, Mali, and the Gambia

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