The phenomenon Amkoullel
Amkoullel! This name is certainly not unknown to you if you are young and adept of the rap.
His real name is Issiaka Bah; he imposed himself as a reckoned leader of the Malian hip hop very quickly. The young rapper is original in his beats and in the themes of his song which are all pertinent and disturbing.
He’s a young engaged artist. His engagement is naturally shown on his first album "In faculté" released in August 2002. "In faculté" is a very mature work, cleverly simmered to make a hit. And the results matched the expectations. Since the release, Amkoullel is always on stage because he's very demanded.
This album makes the engagement of the young Fulani concrete with very evocative and catchy titles. The introduction “I am” is alone an art and a message that defines clearly the strong personality of the young rapper.
“This song is at the same time an introduction to my album and a way to present myself showing samples of the different style I use in my flow (manner to rap) and the different languages I use (French and Bambara). It also conveys my personality which is based on autonomy in thinking, in identity: I am because I don’t ape anybody…”
"Mali kalanko" and "In faculté" (the incapacity, the virtual existence of faculty, with the prefix “in” for the non-existence of any faculty or university…) in which he criticises the pupils and students who follow like blind the leaders of their association who in fact are just defending only their own interest. He highlights the gaps of the educational system and accuses students, parents, teachers and authorities of the importance of the school crisis Mali is going through since more than a decade. Convinced Africanist, he’s against mimicry. That‘s maybe why in his song "A Guodon", he exhorts music lovers to dance like they conceive music and not like how the other dance. In his opinion, danse and music are universal so every one can dance as he like.
The style of this song is raga hip hop and has been created for the people who like dancing. The lyrics say: “let yourself go! Dance! Don’t be ashamed to let your joy explode, the sound must penetrate your skin!” This song also praises the party nights in Bamako in which people enjoy themselves a lot! In an other track (ironical this time), the very satirical Amkoullel condemn the “fools, the carefree and those who doesn’t use their brain because they are used to the intoxication of the communication of today’s consumer societies. They are unable to judge or criticise cleverly the policy of the country or of any where else in the world.”
In "Infaculté", the young rapper pays tribute to his mother in the song "Mère si", it's also a tribute to all the woman who are devote to their children. Mère …Si ! Mother …if ! can be read in two ways : (Merci !) thank you, and (Mother !.. if only you haven't been here !. Without my mother, I shouldn't have been the man I am today. A message to all those who haven't have their father with them and use that as a pretext to justify their bad behaviour! Love song for my mother and all the mothers who take care of their children, recognizes the polite, joyful and timid boy.
Handsome guy, Amkoullel is presently the favourite of the young trendy people of the country, especially after his two brilliant shows near two Rasta men leaders in the African youth: Alpha Blondy and Tiken Jah Fakoly. Young girls are ready to do any thing possible to be in his company and seduce him. But the young Amkoullel stays wise and keep his feet on … stage !