In Dakar, Senegal, Aminata Thiam teaches a beatmaking class at the House of Urban Culture, guiding five young women in creating their beats using computers. Thiam, a 31-year-old beatmaker, is among the few women in Senegal in this field. She refers to beatmaking as the art of crafting rhythms and acknowledges the role of technology, particularly software, in democratizing the craft from the era of DJs using synthesizers and loops on record players.
The House of Urban Culture serves as a hub for Senegal’s growing hip-hop scene, welcoming various artists such as rappers, slam poets, skaters, and graffiti artists. Established in 2018, the center offers free training in disciplines like DJing and photography to help young hip-hop enthusiasts turn their passion into professions.
Thiam, also known as “Myamy the Ay Girl,” emphasizes the importance of women’s representation in beatmaking and other audiovisual fields. She points out the barriers faced by her students due to limited access to computers, especially among women in Senegal who may only have a smartphone for internet access.
Despite challenges, students like Djeneba Sylla, a 21-year-old singer, aspire to create their music but lack the necessary equipment. Thiam has initiated a fundraising campaign to support her students in acquiring the tools they need. Accessibility concerns are a focal point for the House of Urban Culture, with efforts underway to expand public spaces for young people and make hip-hop more inclusive.
Amadou Fall Ba, a former coordinator at the center, highlights the evolution of hip-hop in Senegal and the ongoing struggles faced by women in the industry due to societal expectations. Thiam’s beatmaking class has empowered students to produce their beats, nurturing their creative skills in modern hip-hop production.
Thiam envisions a future where more women are active in beatmaking, inspiring others to pursue a career in this male-dominated field. She challenges traditional gender norms that steer women towards singing or choir participation, advocating for diverse roles for women in the music industry. Thiam’s determination to break stereotypes and pave the way for aspiring female beatmakers in Senegal underscores her commitment to empowering women in music.
