Zap Mama
Ancestry in Progress
(Luaka Bop)
Called a vocal group, Zap Mama is Congo-born Belgian Marie Daulne and whoever else is around. Hip-hop and motherhood factor in—Daulne recently moved to Philly and had a baby. Erykah Badu and various rappers accent the polyphonic uplift Zap Mama represents. “Zap Bébés” weaves baby sounds in a loop of cries. When taken beyond poopy detail, they are like…music! The hook-laden “Miss Q’N” shows Daulne capable of freshening up black America with a bit more Africa.
—Doug Taylor
This article appears in Dec 6-12, 2007.