culture
Acrobatic, goofy and super-fast: the biama battles redefining Ivorian dance culture
Fuelled by TikTok and street dance battles, the coupé-décalé offshoot is latest expression of Côte d’Ivoire’s pop culture
TL;DR
- Biama, a fast-paced evolution of coupé-décalé, is showcased in street dance battles in Abidjan, featuring performers under 25.
- The dance style exploded in popularity post-pandemic through TikTok challenges, fusing acrobatics with rapid movements.
- Biama, alongside maïmouna, signifies a revival of Ivorian pop culture, originating from the working-class Yopougon district.
- The history of Ivorian dance music includes iconic genres like coupé-décalé, founded by Douk Saga, and later popularized by DJ Arafat.
- While coupé-décalé's popularity waned after DJ Arafat's death, biama is now a dominant force among younger generations.
- Dance has always been integral to Ivorian music, with artists creating styles like ziglibithy alongside their music.
- Female artists like Kehou Mousso are also emerging in the biama scene, contributing to its dynamic and improvisational nature.
- Proponents of biama are confident in its potential for global appeal, driven by social media sharing and enthusiastic participation.