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SMOD: globalFEST 2012

SMOD performs during globalFEST at New York City's Webster Hall on Jan. 8.
Ryan Muir for NPR

SMOD performs during globalFEST at New York City's Webster Hall on Jan. 8.

SMOD: globalFEST 2012

January 10, 2012 Hear the new, groove-based Malian hip-hop group, produced by Manu Chao, live in concert.

By Anastasia Tsioulcas

Here comes another generation of masterful West African grooves: the Malian group SMOD, making its U.S. debut. If there's a familiar, lilting guitar-and-song groove underpinning the band's layers of hip-hop rhymes, don't be surprised; one of the members, Sam, is the son of the phenomenal duo Amadou and Mariam.

SMOD has benefited from that sphere of music's influence; the visionary Manu Chao, who produced Sam's parents' excellent album Dimanche à Bamako, also produced SMOD's debut. With tightly wound vocal harmonies and effervescent guitar played by Sam, the singing was even more effective than the rapping.

Set List
  • "Fitri Waleya"
  • "Dakan"
  • "Ca Chante"
  • "Dirigeants Africains"
  • "Jennes Filles Du Maliba"
  • "J'ai Pas Peur Du Micro"
  • "Ambola"
  • "Politic Adani"
  • "Dja"

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