3-6 Mallay formed in Dakar in the early 2000s, led by vocalist Cheikh Ibra Fall, who goes by Xuman. Their name comes from the Senegalese word 'mallay,' which means dance. They released their debut album 'Kamimallay' in 2007, with the title track becoming a notable song that mixed Afro-pop rhythms with hip-hop elements.
The band includes guitarist Thierno Sarr, bassist Abdou Diouf, drummer Moustapha Mbaye, and keyboardist Mouhamed Wade. After 'Kamimallay,' they put out three more albums: 'Yaye Boy' in 2010, 'Mame' in 2013, and 'Aline' in 2017. Their music draws from traditional African rhythms, pop, and blues.
In 2011, they dealt with a legal dispute over music rights that paused their work for a time. Later, in 2016, some conservative religious groups found a festival performance offensive, which the band addressed by continuing to use their music for social commentary. They've played at venues like Coachella and Central Park SummerStage, and their songs have appeared in films and TV shows.
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