In Senegal, where more than 60% of the population is under the age of  25, youth empowerment is key to tackling poverty, unemployment and democratic fragility. More than a music genre, hip-hop has become a powerful tool to educate, engage and mobilize. From Dakar’s suburbs to national TV, artists and activists are building a movement that combines culture, politics and social innovation, whilst reducing poverty in Senegal.

Hip-Hop and Civic Engagement

Politically engaged rap first gained ground in Senegal during the ’90s, amplifying the voices of underrepresented youth. “Hip-hop was born out of our desire for change,” said Matador, founder of the organization Africulturban and a pioneer of conscious rap in Senegal. He emphasized that the role of hip-hop is not to align with political parties, but to act as a watchdog. “We do not do politics with hip-hop, but we deal with politics.”

Africulturban, founded in 2006, provides vocational and creative training through its Hip Hop Akademy, offering programs in DJing, graphic design, photography and video production. Matador explained that these programs allow youth to build careers in the creative sector, noting, “These are real jobs. Some of our students now support their families with what they learned here.” He also highlighted that these programs have opened new opportunities for girls, especially in fields traditionally dominated by men, such as audiovisual production.

Providing News Through Rap in Senegal

Another initiative using hip-hop to drive civic engagement is Journal Rappé. Created in 2013 by a group of artists and journalists, the program delivers weekly rap videos both in French and Wolof, Senegal’s most widely spoken language. The videos present national and international news in a way that is accessible to young audiences. “We saw that many young people were not connecting with traditional news, so we created something they could relate to,” said Xuman, cofounder of Journal Rappé.

With more than 25 million views on YouTube, Journal Rappé has been recognized as a powerful example of music-based civic journalism. The initiative also conducts media education workshops in neighboring countries, promoting democratic participation through storytelling. “Democracy requires critical thinking and free expression,” the team member added. “And rap is a perfect vehicle for that—it is sharp, direct and resonates with youth.”

Empowering Senegalese Youth Through Hip-Hop Training

Impact Senegal Association, another youth-focused organization, aims to provide technical training to bridge the gap between education and employment, further reducing poverty in Senegal. The organization trains young people in sound engineering, lighting and stage production, offering a 1,600-hour program over two years. According to founder Amadou, more than 50% of trainees are women between the ages of 21 and 25.

“We believe that democracy is not just about voting. It is also about having the means to participate in society and that means having a job,” Amadou told The Borgen Project. He added that youth employment strengthens families and contributes to national development: “When a young person earns a living, they are not just escaping poverty, they are becoming an active citizen.”

Impact Senegal Association’s mission is also rooted in accessibility. Amadou emphasized the importance of creating a safe environment for women in male-dominated technical fields. “A democracy cannot ignore half of its population,” he said. “It is essential to welcome women with respect and provide the conditions for them to thrive.”

Challenges Remain

Despite these successes, organizations like Africulturban and Impact Senegal Association face persistent challenges. Many graduates of their training programs leave the country due to limited job opportunities at home. According to Matador, state support remains minimal. “Africa’s future is in our hands. No one will build it for us,” he said. “If we do not stay and fight, we are betraying our generation.”

Still, these organizations continue to mobilize young Senegalese around the belief that culture can drive economic and political change. Through music, training and public outreach, hip-hop is helping to shape a generation of informed, skilled and engaged citizens.

– Alexandra Diallo-Scholler

Alexandra is based in Los Angeles, CA, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr