Oladad - Topic

Oladad is a hip-hop folk-fusion group from Madagascar. They perform a fusion of hip-hop, dance and the traditional horija music of the Betsileo people, including such instruments as the kabosy, jejy, sodina and fiddle. The band was formed in 1996 in Fianarantsoa. The band draws its name from the reverse spelling of the name of lead member Dadalo, whose name signifies "luck". Oladad comprises five singers and six musicians.
From 1996 to 2001, Oladad was an early act on the nascent Malagasy hip-hop and rap scene. Beginning in 2002, the band originated a rhythm they termed "dombe", merging hip-hop rhythms with horija Betsileo music. They released their first album in 2010, producing their first hit, "Sokafy ny fety", an adaptation of the traditional Merina tune "Afindrafindrao" infused with Betsileo instrumentation and hip-hop rhythm. The song could be heard in nightclubs, weddings and school parties across the country. After many years of performing across Madagascar, they performed their first concert in the capital of Antananarivo on 25 May 2010 to a sold-out crowd at the SK Melodie cabaret. They released a second album, Ketamanga, in 2012 to great success.