Xuman, the rapper, activist and radio host returns with this week’s edition of “Rap Journal”.  They’re part of Y’en A Marre, a collection of rappers and youth activists who is partly responsible for bring Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade, who after his two terms were up tried to change the constitution and failed. This episode of Rap Journal addresses police corruption in Senegal while paying homage to the South Africa’s beacon of light, Nelson Mandela. Look out for a guest appearance by Dead Prez’s M-1, who was in Senegal recently working on some music.

Disregarding the controversy surrounding their movement in their home country of Lesotho, Kommanda Obbs’ crew D2amajoe (or Lithua-majoe, meaning ‘stone-breakers’ in Sesotho) have released a video which doesn’t veer far away from their name. Hardcore raps over banging beats are complemented by snapshots of their home country as they sing “I’m the size of ‘Malekoporo/ I’m a fish of the ocean/ its size compares to that of the Machache mountain.” It should be pointed out that certain scenes from the video are reminiscent of this one.

If not for the impressive line-up of rappers (from Ghana’s best including EL, M.anifest, D-Black, Sarkodie) on this song (“The ChOsen”), we had to include the video for its YouTube comments. This comment – “… the Reason why Nigerian Music is Far ahead than Ghanaians … i love this Music but the clip is soo lame … the Clip should have been better than this” – sums up the majority of the commenters’ sentiments.

Jam Sandwich is a weekly show on South African national television which endeavours to bring musicians from different musical backgrounds to collaborate on a song. Past jams have included Bongeziwe Mabandla with Dirty Paraffin and Jack Parow with Klipwerf Orkes. Klipwerf Orkes also happens to be one of South Africa’s biggest-selling groups. Here’s Dutch artist Stef Bos and South African rapper Kanyi:

It bears repeating that the quantity of rap music coming out of Senegal is staggering. The legendary Souleymane Faye joins Gaston on this poignant commentary on the loss of societal values among the youth of Senegal.