Beatmaking in Senegal: Empowering Women in a Male-Dominated Field

In Dakar's Ouakam neighborhood, Aminata Thiam, known as "Myamy the Ay Girl," is one of Senegal’s few female beatmakers. She’s teaching a beatmaking class to five young women at the House of Urban Culture, aiming to increase female representation in the country's music industry.

Beatmaking, a key element of hip hop culture, has grown in popularity in Senegal, yet women remain underrepresented. Thiam believes offering women-only classes is essential to balancing the gender disparity. 

"Not just for music, but for audiovisual work, for cinema," Thiam emphasized, highlighting the broader applications of beatmaking skills.

Despite Senegal’s vibrant hip hop scene, cultural norms still limit women's participation. Amadou Fall Ba, who works on creating more public spaces for youth in Dakar, acknowledges that while urban culture is thriving, women’s involvement lags behind.

Thiam, one of just three female beatmakers in the country, hopes her efforts will inspire more women to enter the field. "If we train women who are capable of going far in this industry, this will encourage other women to join us," she said.

By empowering women through beatmaking, Thiam and the House of Urban Culture are paving the way for greater gender equality in Senegal’s urban culture.