Madoa Sankara & Sudan 6ix “That’s That Girl”
Community is at the heart of Madoa Sankara’s creations. As a multifaceted hip-hop musician, he has mastered the art of combining impactful lyricism and classic boom bap. His undying passion and pursuit within the music industry and higher education have led him down a bright path. The name Madoa derives from his African ancestry, and just as his stage name carries meaning, his music also does. The bumping bass and irresistible beats of hip-hop, rap, and R&B exist within the soul of the places he grew up. Raised in Newport News, VA, residing in Fayetteville, NC, and now inhabiting Raleigh, North Carolina, Sankara always remembers the significance of his southern roots. The local hip-hop scene in the liberal area of Raleigh encourages Sankara to form genuine connections with fans and fellow artists. After releasing the fan-favorite track “City Lights (Raleigh Tribute)” off his solo project Witt, Sankara has returned with a hit new single off of his joint EP with artist and producer Sudan 6ix. Off their new EP The Poet and 6ix, the duo embodies old school hip hop with their vibrant new track, “That’s That Girl.”
Madoa’s skilled ear was immediately captivated by the stunning violin sample and exhilarating beats Sudan 6ix presented him at the start of their collaboration. Rather than entering the studio with a preconceived idea, Madoa allows the beat to speak to him. He explains, “I’ve always believed that the beat tells you what to say; you can’t tell the beat what to say because it will sound forced.” The natural production shines through the duo’s clean flow and cohesive sound. Beautiful women are their muse on this playful new track that is bound to be on repeat. Drawing inspiration from Kendrick Lamar, Nas, and the likes of other hip-hop giants, Madoa Sankara has immense respect for the craft.
Madoa’s vision for the “That’s That Girl” music video is light, bright, and well-executed. The joyous setting and vibrant greenery perfectly capture the electrifying feeling of love. Madoa and Sudan admire the alluring women across the park field. They express their infatuation through swagger bars and a smooth beat that will surely win over their crushes’ hearts.
How do you believe your master’s degree in English, along with your experience in education, enhance your musical creations?
My degree in English (MS TESOL) has made me more aware of grammatical errors when writing lyrics. I know that is hilarious, but it’s true. The dialect that I perform Hip-Hop in is an African American dialect that is distinct from the Standard English dialect. When coming up with lyrics, I am conscious of the subject-verb agreement differences between AA English and Standard English, so I alter them to align with Standard English. It’s not nitpicking but since I was trained to teach Standard English, it’s sort of like a habit I can’t kick. However, I do keep the slang and everything else. Linguistically, there is no such thing as perfect English. American English is different than Australian English, New Zealand English, British English, etc. And all those different types have their own unique dialects. I feel like my knowledge of the English language just gives me a broader perspective of things and that is reflected in my music. It’s hard to really pinpoint something specific that enhances my music but everything that an artist is, that he or she knows, experiences and feels is reflected in their art in some way. Even if they don’t realize it.
Why is it important to include elements of your African ancestry and southern roots in your music?
It is important to include elements of my history and culture in my music because it is a part of who I am. It is a part of my story. It affects the way I think and how I view the world. No one exist independent from what happened in the past or what is happening now. We are reflections of the time we’re living in and what contributed to that time. Even if I tried to disregard that aspect of myself it would be impossible. It is what makes me who I am.
Why is music a passion that you knew you needed to continue pursuing no matter what? What do you feel when you create music & music videos?
Music is my release. Music is my therapy. Music is my hobby and passion. There is nothing more enjoyable to me than creating music. When I create music, I feel like I transform into an alter ego, it’s like I become a comic book character. Madoa Sankara isn’t necessarily who I am but who I created. Through Madoa Sankara and my music, I can tell stories in a way that reaches the masses – something that would be impossible to do as a regular Joe. When I’m in the process of making music, I become a part of the music. Making music gives me a natural high. I can instantly envision a picture to go along with the song I created. Once the song is done, the hard part is trying to bring that picture to life with a videographer. Luckily, I have a great videographer in Vision Twenty Films that helps me bring that vision to life.
What was the process like producing the tracks for your new joint EP, The Poet & 6ix, with producer Sudan 6ix?
Sudan 6ix is an extremely gifted producer who incorporates a lot of diverse sounds into his production. Some of the samples he uses are from Asian, European, and American songs. I’m not sure how he finds all of this diverse music to work with, but he does, and the outcome is pure beauty. I have the easy job of just picking the beat I like. After I record my vocals, Sudan will take the track and add effects, vocal samples, and other things to spruce up the song.
What track off of the joint EP are you most proud of, and why?
The song I am the proudest of is That’s That Girl because I believed in that song from its inception and knew it was a hit. The icing on the cake was that the videographer was able to bring my vision for the song to life.
What do you envision for the future of your music career? What reaction do you hope your new song and video for “That’s That Girl” receive?
My goal for my music career is to constantly increase my fanbase and exposure. I would love to have a solid, reliable fanbase that enjoys my music enough to spread it to others. I would love to reach the point where I could make music and earn a living from it. I hope everyone likes “That’s That Girl” as much as I do and that it reaches the ear of the right people. It’s a beautiful song with great visuals that is relatable to people from all walks of life.
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About the Author
Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.
