Madagascar: Using slam music as therapy

Mixing poetry and music is the new strategy adopted by 22-year-old Malagasy singer Caylah who uses this music genre as therapy.

She targets single mothers or women who have been abused during this life in one way or the other.

Once a week she meets an association of young mothers to encourage them to remain confident despite the criticisms they receive from the public.

“I create jokes on prostitution for instance by saying, there is no bad job. I am a prostitute and I accept it. We feel the joy of living or the strength to say despite what happened to me, I remain a strong woman,” Caylah said.

As a committed artist Caylah does not beat about the bush. In her lyrics she tackles issues linked to politics, the adverse effects of globalisation as well as violence at home.

“I have a text which talks about a woman who is beaten at home. The message I want to pass across is that it is not because I am a woman considered in Malagasy as “fanaka malemy” or soft object that you should trample on me or beat me,” she added.

Caylah got interested in slam at the age of 16. Her style is highly respected in Madagascar.

She created an internet buzz few months ago after posting a song titled “Madagascar” highly critical of the government.