Daara J Family
Senegalese hip-hop duo — Ndongo D and Faada Freddy — icons of African rap for over thirty years, from “Boomerang” to “Cosaan”.
Biography
Daara J Family is a Senegalese hip-hop duo made up of Ndongo D (Mamadou Lamine Seck) and Faada Freddy (Abdou Fatah Seck). The adventure began in Dakar in the early 1990s under the name Daara J — “the school” in Wolof — with Lord Aladji Man as third member. The group established itself as a pioneer of Senegalese and African rap: a positive, rooted hip-hop blending rap, reggae, soul, funk and Senegalese traditions, sung in Wolof, French and English.
In 2003, the album “Boomerang” (Wrasse Records, featuring Rokia Traoré) travelled the world: it carries the idea that hip-hop, born in Africa, left on the slave ships before coming back like a boomerang. The record earned the group the 2004 BBC World Music Award for Best African Act. More than 1,000 concerts followed on every continent: opening for Wyclef Jean (Lincoln Center) and Mos Def (Hollywood Bowl), stages shared with Public Enemy, WOMAD with Peter Gabriel, Damon Albarn's Africa Express, Trans Musicales, Solidays.
After Aladji Man's departure (2007-2008), the duo became Daara J Family and released “School of Life” (2010), “Foundation” (2016) and “Yaamatele” (2020, with Gaël Faye). Faada Freddy also leads a noted solo career, notably with the album “Gospel Journey” (2015). In 2025, the single “Cosaan” — “origin”, “heritage” in Wolof — opened a new chapter turned towards memory and traditions, carried on by “Jàmmarloo” (2026). On October 31, 2026, the duo performed at the opening ceremony of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, at the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Diamniadio.
Distinctions and benchmarks
BBC Radio 3 World Music Award 2004 — Best African Act, for the album “Boomerang” · More than 1,000 concerts worldwide · Opening ceremony of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (October 31, 2026, Diamniadio), alongside Baaba Maal, Kiné Lam and Souleymane Faye
Discography
“Daara J” (cassette, 1990s) · “Xalima” (1998) · “Exodus” (2000) · “Boomerang” (2003) · “School of Life” (2010) · “Foundation” (2016) · “Yaamatele” (2020) · Single “Cosaan” (May 30, 2025)
On the Poster — their dates
- November 7, 2026 — “Cosaan Live”, Terrasse du COP 21, Dakar — entry 15,000 FCFA, tickets on Gnudem — Read the Festival TV article