"Boomerang": Senegalese rappers known as Daara J mix it fast and slow on this October 2004 release, which has everything from a Cuban-influenced lilt in Spanish ("Esperanza") to a French-language song that's both romantic and soulful ("Paris Dakar"). American hip-hop is also thrown into the album -- a reminder that Senegal's capital has always been a crossroads of different musical influences. MC Solaar paved the way for Daara J, who was recently in the United States to perform.

-Jonathan Curiel