Sean Paul performs in Senegal
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Photo 1 of 18Credit: W.Hassan MarshGrammy winning recording artist Sean Paul performed in Senegal this week for the first time, giving an unprecedented and energized show for the developing country that has been experiencing particularly hard times recently. -
Photo 2 of 18Credit: W. Hassan Marsh"It's important for me to spread my music as much as possible," Sean Paul Henriques said in a press conference last Thursday before the concert. "A lot of times people don't go to certain areas because of stigma but I come from Jamaica," he added. "I will go to those places just to bring my music to people live." -
Photo 3 of 18Credit: W. Hassan MarshSean Paul and concert promoter Papi Ndiaye speak to the media at a press conference a day before the concert. Despite many constraints, organizers finally brought the international star to Senegal after a failed attempt. Having had extensive entertainment and hospitality experience in the United States, Ndiaye wants to help develop the entertainment sector. -
Photo 4 of 18Credit: W. Hassan MarshSean Paul kept the first promise he made at the press conference a day before the show. He gave an energetic show that had "a personal vibe the people can feel." -
Photo 5 of 18Credit: W. Hassan MarshA key item on Sean Paul's itinerary while in Senegal was his trip to Goree Island and its House of Slaves that exhibits the history of the Atlantic Slave Trade. Here, he peers out from the Door of No Return. He expressed pride in his connection to the continent. "This is the motherland," he screamed to cheering fans in the second half. "We got to give respect!" -
Photo 6 of 18Credit: W. Hassan MarshDancehall recording artist Sean Paul stops to enjoy the music from hand drummers after descending onto the island. -
Photo 7 of 18Credit: W. Hassan MarshSean Paul makes his way around Goree Island with a full security detail. He is arguably the biggest international artist to perform in Senegal. -
Photo 8 of 18Credit: W. Hassan MarshAlthough this trip was his first time in Senegal, Sean Paul is known to tour throughout developing countries in addition to popular destinations and is vocally proud about making productions entirely in the Third World. -
Photo 9 of 18Credit: W. Hassan MarshBorn in Jamaica, an island with an extended legacy of slavery, Sean Paul stands under the shadow of a towering monument to slavery modeled after the hull of a ship. "You have to know your past to go to the future," he said in reference to the heritage from African cultures. "This is where we are now." -
Photo 10 of 18Credit: W. Hassan MarshA singer from Alif, a popular Senegalese music group opened for Sean Paul at Bemba Diop Stadium. -
Photo 11 of 18Credit: W. Hassan MarshNubian Mady, a Senegalese Dancehall artist warms up the crowd before Sean Paul. Mady lives in the United States and comes back to Senegal often to work on entertainment projects. -
Photo 12 of 18Credit: W. Hassan MarshSenegalese rapper and activist Matador and members of Africulturban are interviewed on a local television after an opening performance for Sean Paul. -
Photo 13 of 18Credit: W. Hassan MarshDespite Sean Paul's popularity, there was a relatively low turnout. Only the field in front of the stage was filled. Some thought that the concert would be a part of the many festivities held during World Music Day, which was a day after the concert. Many others point to the economic crisis that has skyrocketed the cost of living in past months as an explanation of the poor turnout. -
Photo 14 of 18Credit: W.Hassan MarshIn response to a question posed by a Senegalese journalist about the development of a sort of SenegaleseJamaican cultural alliance, Sean Paul pointed to the already firm connection between Caribbean culture and that which is on the continent despite the difficulty of language differences. This is music that has come down from generations, he said. It started here in Africa, like most things, and there is definitely a relationship to be continued. -
Photo 15 of 18Credit: W.Hassan MarshYoung fans release their worries and cheer for Sean Paul in the front row. For people in places like here in Senegal, what I can provide at this point and time is a relief from that stress of whats happening, he said. -
Photo 16 of 18Credit: W.Hassan MarshSean Paul's guitarist takes center stage. Showing artistic flexibility, his band started a tribute to Latino legend Carlos Santana about half way through the show. -
Photo 17 of 18Credit: W.Hassan MarshSean Paul himself might develop that relationship. Although he had never heard of Mbalax, a local musical genre that is very percussion-heavy, he said that he would not mind working with artists in that genre and other Senegalese artist in more complimentary genres. Im thinking why not do music with different cultures, said the artist who is known for his cross genre musical productions. -
Photo 18 of 18Credit: W.Hassan MarshThrough his musical fusion and desire to be in service of the developing world, Sean Paul is sure to continue to be an international phenomenon. Music is supposed to bring the world together, he said. Im just doing my part.
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