Daara J (pronounced , which means "the school" in Wolof) are a Senegalese rap duet that consists of N'Dongo D and Faada Freddy. Their music takes influence from hip hop, Afro-Cuban rhythms, and reggae and is performed in English, French, Spanish, and Wolof. Daara J was formed in 1997 and quickly became popular in Senegal from the release of their first cassette album, Daara J. They followed in 1999 with a more politically themed recording, Xalima, which integrated numerous musical ideas and instruments from Senegal and other African countries. 2003's Boomerang was critically acclaimed and furthered the combination of various musical and lyrical influences of the previous two recordings. Activism has also been an important aspect of the group's philosophy since it was founded. Formation Daara J, formed in 1994, was originally a trio that consisted of Faada Freddy, N'Dongo D and Lord Alajiiman. Lord Alajiiman performed and toured throughout the world with the group until 2008 when the group split. Since then, Alajiman evolves in a solo career while contributing to the development of the music sector in Senegal. Daara J was formed when all of its members were in high school, where they were studying accounting. The rappers were influenced by American hip hop artists such as Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five and Afrika Bambaataa but also listened to their parents' music, which included artists such as Sly and the Family Stone and Aretha Franklin, and musical styles which included Cuban music. Faada Freddy cites the group's major inspiration as Das EFX. Originally, the members took instrumentals of hip hop tracks from the United States and France to rap over. Later they purchased a drum machine, but even with this equipment, a member of the group would have to imitate the other instruments in the song with his voice. Positive Black Soul, another Senegalese rap group, encouraged Daara J to record and perform. Daara J and Xalima Daara J and Xalima were both released on the label Déclic. The group's 1998 eponymous debut album was produced by the reggae musician Mad Professor and was successful locally, selling 15,000 copies. Their next album was released in 1999 and titled Xalima (). The album was politically themed and included guest performances from other Senegalese artists playing instruments such as the kora and balafon. Boomerang The group moved to Wrasse Records to release Boomerang in 2003. It featured performances by