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Hip Hop in Gambia Flow like the river Gambia What! This country which is so much smaller than Senegal, has recently bred a host of emcees and deejays who ensure the development of a unique brand of Gambian hip hop. The following is a first survey of artists and their albums. Most info comes courtesy of the online Gambian newspapers Fresh, Speedjam and Gambia Daily News. Don't forget to visit the website of Yellowgate studios, where you can order new releases! News: Gambian Rap Awards On July 31st, 1999 a special Rap Award ceremony was held at Kairaba Beach Hotel in Banjul. The Rap Music Award package is being put together by an upcoming Gambian music promoter, Harona Drammeh, a staff of Gambia Radio & Television Services (GRTS). He presents a personality profile and societal issues programme known as "Talkin’ Point" on the Gambia Television. According to Harona, 'the award ceremony is quite different from the annual Gambian Music Awards (GMA) yet to come up this year. This rap programme is done to compliment the promotion of the music industry as well as reward those artistes who have done well in the scene'. (Info from Speedjam column, Gambianet) Best Rap Dancer Award – Black Nature Best Cultural & Modern Rap Award - Pencha B Best Video – Africa by Inspecta Chow Panachie Best Solo Artist – Rebellion de Recaller Best Single – Merro by Masla Bii Best Conscious Lyrics – United Nations song by Santa Yalla Best New Group – Dancehall Masters Best Singers – Da Breeze (Joe Senghore) of Da Fugitivz and Machu B of Pencha B Best Rap Group of the Year – Da Fugitivz Most Sold Album – Born Africans Abdou Karim John Solo Album: Gangsta Sex Appeal Pic: Ellie Nachif, producer who owns Yellowgate studio Apparently the first Gambian rapper with an album out through Yellowgate, one of 4 Gambian studios. His music is not available anymore, at least not through the Yellowgate website. Black Nature (Melokani Nit Kunjul) Members: Mystic, Codless, Hobio, Bady B Album: Sunuyaye Tracks: Sacheh, We Can Done, Love (Mbugel), Stop stealing (Sachayi), Peace (Jubo) Another group that has been restrained because of the financial part of business, this didn't keep Black Nature from entering the 1998 Gambia Music Awards. The first album which we received a few weeks after it was released sounds like a first album indeed but it clearly shows a distinct rap style which should lead Gambian rap to be different from the Senegalese variety, which is present in all the music stores in Banjul. Instead of French, of course Gambian rappers use English mostly but Wolof lyrics show up here & there. Just like Senegalese Daara J, this group uses rap, singing and Jamaican style toasting. The instrumentals have been done using keyboard programming and there is even a reworking of an MC Lyte track. They had a promotional deal with GAMBEGA, makers of Coca-Cola in the Gambia. The deal which also involved Vanasha Productions saw GAMBEGA’s general Manager in the Gambia sign a deal with the rap group for the production of a video clip and billboard. The clip (Sunu Yaye, as the album's title track) and billboard were produced by Vanasha. Read more about Black Nature at the home page as maintained by Momodou Camara (that's where the pic is from) Black wee Blacks Members: Mighty Solomon, ... "A good musician, especially a rapper should act like a preacher; calling mankind to righteousness and discouraging things evil". Mighty Solomon said the motto of his Black wee Blacks rap group is: Preach divine truth and stand up to oppression and lawlessness. Brainstorm clan Members: Keks, Fresh and Big Van Single: Back-up Call (1999) Brainstorm clan is made up of a Gambian, Sierra Leonean and a Cameroonian. They recorded 'Back-up call' in Yellowgate studios. They won a nomination for the most conscious lyrics award but lost the award to another group because their dub was not original. Chow 'Inspector' Panache Album: Smiling coast (1999) The Gambian ragga man, who after travelling the Caribbean and Sweden came back to Gambia in 1999 to release his solo album. His single 'Ndaga nehulenam' did well locally. He is working together with a Jamaican by the name of Dutchie Gold. In August 99 he was in the studio again for a follow-up to the Smiling Coast album. The latter was released internationally on cd - we found it in an Amsterdam cd rental service! Diwaan Jee Posse Album: Kairo - songs of the Gambia compilation (1999) A new group that was first heard on the Kairo compilation which consists of 2 cassettes. Fugitivz Album: Fu for life (1999) Members: Sea Breeze (Joe Senghore), Mohawk (Mohammed Kah), DJ Graduate (Sam George), Tasman         "Following the rapid fame with their Zone II video clip and their tribute to the late Ousu Lion Njie, Da Fugitvz sped off to the awards and were decorated as the best new group in Gambia’s first music awards" (info and pictures from Sunu Adda, the Gambian entertainment column). In the summer of 99, Fugitivz released their cassette on the Senegalese market (although they are not Senegalese, da Fugitivz rhyme in Wolof language which is widely understood in Senegal). They went to perform in Senegal: in Dakar, and then in St Louis in the north. They performed in Sahel club and Aldo club in Dakar, where there's plenty freestyle sessions these days, and they even did Thiossane which is Youssou N'Dour's club. According to Yellowgate studios in Gambia, the Senegalese tv is now playing the Fugitivz videos a lot. Apparently the song 'why' is a bonus track only available on the Senegalese release of the cassette. The new promoter/agent of Da Fugitivz in Senegal is Alhaji Seidou Jobe (Elha), former manager of Daara J and now managing Rap-adio. After they came back from Senegal, Fugitivz went for Germany where they played at the prestigious Popkomm festival. As we write they are still in Europe. Genesis 2 International (G2I) They've supported touring Senegalese acts such as Black Mboolo and Jant-Bi Posse. "To find someone to produce the music for this market is always a problem," laments G2I leader Joe Malou, who says his group have got enough songs to release a cassette album. And their competitors, the Fugitivez, who've recorded some material that's been played on radio are yet to find someone to release it, adds Malou. In an unusual twist for a Gambian act, G2I have began working Senegal's capital city Dakar, in the hope of obtaining a recording deal Galaxy Melody Crew (GMC) "They are another phat crew set for stardom in the rap industry. They are currently recording their debut 6 track album 'Mama' at Yellow Gate with the lovely message sending acapella 'Njirim' " (Daily News, Gambia) Gestu-Gi crew Members: George Mendy (Stugga G), Alpha Krubally (Seal Python), Cherno Jallow (Gansy Brown), Amadou Faal After three years of existence, Gestu-gi crew is about to release their debut album. They have been making waves at the dancehalls and concert as well as participated actively at the 1999 Faateleku nationwide tour. They showed their musical prowess through the conscious messages of righteousness and love to Gambian masses. Kanteh Construction Company and Modou Jeng are sponsoring the recording of their new album. They celebrated their 3rd anniversary on Friday 14th at the Buffer Zone, Tallinding. The concert witnessed the performance of top Rap groups in the country. Good Omen Members: Mc Omar, Jenni Demo tracks: Mama Africa, Mama Africa dub, U make my day, What u gonna do? A Gambian ragga emcee living in Finland teamed up with a local Finnish singer. Their musical influences include Cutty 'Six million ways to die' Ranks and Supercat, and of course Bob Marley (or Omar wouldn't be from Gambia). Check out their homepage. Masla-B Album: Bu nui merro (2000) The Masla-B album was launched at the Jama Hall (Kairaba Beach Hotel) with several local crews invited to perform. Pencha B Crew Album: Chossan Ken Dumon (1999) This crew got a three album contract at Yellowgate studios where they already recorded and released the first in line. After the release they went ona country-wide tour. They were also featured on the 'Kairo: Songs of The Gambia' compilation which gives an overview of the music in the country. The group which features ex-radio comic Amie Cherie and three local rappers and a Senegalese singer first released promo singles, `Bai Ma-Lamin Darra' and `Joyleh-lenn' - Tribute to the late Ousu 'Lion' Njie. Their act features a fusion of R&B, rap-ragga and mbalax, blended with some folklore. Saf Sap This new group will be releasing their debut album soon. It was recorded at Ndanan B studios in Serrekunda and produced by Kebba Taylor. Salam G Members: Ousman J and Doudou G Single: Let’s Save It (1999) Recently, Salam G won an award from the National Environmental Agency (NEA) in recognition of their sensitization of Gambians on the need to safeguard our trees, forests and parks as well as encourage environmental sanitation practices. They were honoured alongside other institutions in a special ceremony during the recent World Environment Week celebrations.