Villes des Musiques du Monde - Ashs The Best

As part of the 30th edition of the Villes des Musiques du Monde festival, Le Point Fort presents an evening dedicated to African music and hip-hop, featuring Ashs The Best, a leading figure of the Senegalese hip-hop scene, with Jo Keita as the opening act. Ashs The Best Born Elhadj A. Tiaré, Ashs The Best is a Senegalese artist born in Pikine, in the suburbs of Dakar. Coming from a musical family, with his father being a member of the legendary reggae group NIOMINKA BI, he grew up surrounded by music and developed an early passion for writing, lyrics and rhyme. He began his professional career under the name Ashs The Best in 2013. His distinctive style blends rap, jazz and acoustic influences, allowing him to establish himself within Senegal's music scene. He gained recognition with tracks such as “Wétoon Na”, “Gadaay” and, more recently, “Ayway Samba”, attracting a broad audience. His talent and determination have taken his music across three continents. In 2024, Ashs The Best returned with his new album “Fii Kufi Judd Bëgg”, followed by a series of concerts in Europe. Through his melodies and lyrics, he continues to develop a distinctive musical identity and to build bridges between the Senegalese scene and international audiences. Jo Keita – Opening act Singer-songwriter and performer, Jo Keita draws his musical inspiration from his African roots. Listening to his father's record collection sparked his passion for music. He bought himself a guitar and began writing songs in Wolof and Bambara, as well as in English and French. In 2012, he moved to Marseille. After collaborating with several local artists, he recorded his first album, “Expérience”, released independently in April 2020. Today, Jo Keita performs with the group Expérience, with whom he is preparing a new album scheduled for release in early 2027. For this new chapter, he is taking his artistic direction towards a more rock-oriented sound while preserving the African identity at the heart of his music. His compositions, both critical and introspective, explore themes such as resistance, hope, solidarity and the beauty of life. An evening bringing together two complementary musical worlds, where Senegalese hip-hop, African influences and rock-inspired sounds meet in a celebration of creativity, identity and cultural exchange.