Radio de Positive Black Soul
Positive Black Soul (also known as PBS) is a hip hop group based in Dakar, Senegal, one of the first such collectives in the country. Founded in 1989, the group is composed of Didier Sourou Awadi (alias DJ Awadi) and Amadou Barry (alias Doug E. Tee or Duggy-Tee), both of whom had previously been in other hip hop groups.[1] They perform in the English, French, and Wolof languages and use traditional Senegalese instruments as part of their songs.[1] Political and social activism have played important roles in the group since it was founded.
The two members of Positive Black Soul were both born in the city of Dakar, Senegal. As teenagers, Awadi and Barry were involved in the Dakar hip hop scene?Awadi leading his own group, Didier Awadi's Syndicate, a breakdancer[2] as well as a rapper; and Barry performing with the King MCs.[3] Originally Awadi and Barry were rivals, competing with each other in performances and coming from separate neighborhoods of Dakar. During a birthday party held by Awadi to which Barry was invited, however, the two performed together and realized their similarities, founding Positive Black Soul very soon after.[3] Activism and politics are central parts of the group's philosophy?its shortened name (PBS) was a play on the Parti Démocratique Sénégalais initialism "PDS".[2]
