Tiken Jah Fakoly

Tiken Jah was born into a family of griots and christened Doumbia Moussa Fakoly on June 23, 1968 in Odienné, north-western Côte d'Ivoire. He discovered reggae at an early age, assembling his first group, Djelys, in 1987. He became well-known at a regional level, but would soon ascend to national recognition.

Concerned by the social and political evolution of his country, it was not long before Tiken Jah was writing incisive works on the political environment in Côte d'Ivoire. One such work was on the death of Félix Houphouët-Boigny in 1993, which resulted in a surge of popularity amongst the nation's youth. In 1998, Fakoly made his first international appearance in Paris.

Tiken Jah Fakoly plays music "to wake up the consciences". His music speaks about many injustices done to the people of his country, and those over Africa. As such, African listeners feel a deep affinity with his lyrics as Fakoly speaks for people whom are under oppression. This connection has helped make Tiken Jah Fakoly a much-listened artist throughout both Europe and Africa. (from Wiki)

His site http://www.tikenjah.net/

LA CAUTION - The A La Menthe

La Caution is a french alternative rap duo based in Noisy-Le-Sec (93)(Paris suburb), composed by two brothers from moroccan origins Hi-Tekk & Nikkfurie.
They built a strong reputation in concerts, with mixtapes and different projects before the release of their first album ''Asphalte Hurlante'' (with Dj Fab as third member), this album created a real sensation, the mark of La Caution was made.
A few years later, the instrumental version of their track ''The A La Menthe'' will be part of the movie ''Ocean's 12''. But even if for some people the discover of this title is a surprise, in france everyone is waiting for their new double album ''Peines de Maures/Arc-en-ciel Pour Daltoniens'' (2005) (label: Kerozen).
This is the confirmation for the group. Acclaimed by several webzines as the best french rap album of the year 2005.

their site : http://www.la-caution.net