The power of newspaper

“As a writer, write as if you are writing for your children or for the next 50 years to come” – Hassoum Ceesay
 
History has it that, Newspapers has been with us way back during the British colonial days from 1870s onwards like Bathurst Times, West African Gazette, Gambia Intelligencer, Bathurst Observer , Gambia Outlook, Gambia Onward, Nation newspaper all the way to the modern day business oriented newspapers. It goes without saying that, newspapers provide us with history of events that took place ages ago and current affairs.
In a chat with Hassoum Ceesay, he said newspapers serve as the first choice for researchers in gathering reliable information and provide up to date information on historical events which is why the NCAC have been collecting newspapers for the national archives since the 1980s to serve as a source of reliable information centre for future use.
According to Hassoum Ceesay, a historian/writer and the director of copyright, NCAC, the three major newspapers in the country were Gambia Outlook which started publications from 1922 to 1992 by Edward Francis Small, Gambia Onwards by R.S Allen from 1966 to 1994 and Nation newspaper by William Charles Dixon from 1965 to around 1998. All this papers are now extinct but the copies are kept in the archives
He went on to say that this is why it is imperative for Writers/reporters to forego leaving out some details they thought is not new to the people, and write as if they are writing for their own children (future researchers, PhD degree research works etc) in the next fifty years, to be able to feel in the blanks about the current things happening, companies, places, people etc that might be a rare information or extinct.
“What is in print is a gold mine” but the problem with some writers these days is they only think of the present day not tomorrow and underestimate their impact; whiles people are out there ready to make money off of their works.

NCAC's copyright director urges creators to register their works

Hassoum Ceesay, the director of copyright at the national center for arts and culture (NCAC) made a clarion call to Gambian artists, musicians, photographers, film makers, painters, dramatists, producers etc to come and register their works like albums, DVDs, books and other creative works to be protected.
Addressing journalist at the NCAC conference room, the director said the copyright law has been with us since 2004 to protect Gambian artists and artistic works, and continued to underscore the importance of copyright towards building a more productive and job creating industry for the artists. He noted that several sensitization programs with stakeholders and training workshops have been made on copyright issues funded by World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) , and that the Gambia has also join the West African copyright network which brings together West African countries.
According to the copyright director, the NCAC is mandated by the law to establish an office to register the creative works of Gambians. In 2003, the president of the republic signed the NCAC act 2003 which says “Television and radio services shall promote Gambian arts and culture through their programmes and, accordingly, shall apportion not less than seventy percent of the total time allocated to music programmes to advancing Gambian music”.
Copyright which is an intellectual property law enacted by countries to give owner(s) of an original works exclusive rights in  forms of poems, theses, plays, other literary works, movies, dances, musical compositions, audio recordings, paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs, software, radio and television broadcasts, graphic designs and industrial designs etc. In the Gambia where Intellectual Property is understood by few and entitled to all forms of abuses, Mr. Ceesay took it upon himself to sensitize the public especially those in the area of literature, performing, and fine arts about the benefits of registering works.
IMPORTANCE OF COPYRIGHT REGISTRATION
1- To proof ownership of copyright
2-The registration will be used by The Gambian collecting societies to collect royalties/monies from radios, hotels, TV, clubs, etc for the creators/owners.
3-The collecting societies set rates for royalties
4-It improves the financial status of artists/owners

Trobul Smallz and Gee engage in lyrical warfare

The word on the streets for the past week is who is the most credible and baddest lyricist? Is it Gee or Trobul Smallz? Lately music lovers in Gambia and beyond are engulfed by the lyrical warefare known in the Hip Hop circle as “BEEF” between Gee and Musico's finestTrobul Smallz, both well recognized in the entertainment circle. 

Gee well known for his lyrical powerhouse threw a bone to the fans and recorded a track titled ''Gee Dusa Morom'' sticking to his pen game as required by the codes of the game (Beef/battle) expressing himself in a song dissing Musico's Trobul Smalls who on the onset seems to ignore the commotion created by Gee and his pro-active fans calling him all sorts of names and all that. 

Smallz who is the father of BK City played the laid back manner and instead gave the greenlight to 'Mafia'' one of his younger spitters who came up with a diss song most favorable by Trobul's fans titled ''Gay Baby''. 

At the moment, the two GM acts are like magnetic fields grabbing attention from all corners on the board. 

Gee replied back with another song ''Bul Daw'' which literally means “Dont flee the fight” and flips the whole lyrical battle to an unending Manjago fight. And now the followers of the beef are looking forward to Trobul's next troublelsome move. 

There are so many excitement about the beef in every offices and street corners or bantabas, which according to many industry monitors and music lovers, could be very good for the music industry as it draws attention to the players involved in the arts field.

However, some fans seems to blow the whole beef thing out of proportion taking it personal. Lots of followers are urging the two acts to settle their personal differences and follow the rules of the game as required because at the end of the day the lyrical warfare is about earning respect and standing behind what you set out to do as a true Hip Hop artiste, not instigating hate among fans.

The Gambia's finest and internationally know DJ Pisces of Onetribe movement generously offered one hundred thousand dalasis to the winner of the lyrical warfare, who posted on his Facebook page that he has been waiting for a moment like this two years ago, and he is convinced that now is the right time to stir the music scene's hornet's nest.

CODE OF ETHICS

First i will start off with one of my favorite quote.

"Let me say for the record, I am not a gangster and never have been. I`m not the thief who grabs your purse.I`m not the guy who jacks your car. I`m not down with the people who steal and hurt others. I`m just a brother who fight back." – Tupac Shakur

Thug's Code of ethics

A code of ethics for thugs is a code created by Tupac and Mutulu Shakur among other individuals sharing the same ideas or philosophies in 1992 to discourage black on black crime, rapes and killings in the communities. The code was specifically laid out and emphasized by Tupac Shakur a leader, an activist, a revolutionary and the most most influencial rapper among others had the vision of uniting people of the same cause together to give “better days” chance in the failing black communities. He has undoubtedly touched the lives of many from all walks of life and redefined the meaning of T.H.U.G L.I.F.E as opposed to the dictionary meaning of the word: The Hate U Give Little Infants F#ck Everybody. What Tupac was getting at, in few words was the society made them who they are and he came to realize that its was a setup, a system designed by white mainstream to keep blacks at bay in despair with twisted ideolgies. This has evidently led many resorting to self destruct measures just to get by: slanging or selling drugs, running trains on sisters, misogyny, killing etc. In essence he saw it fitting for those engaged in making their livelihoods etcetera on the streets to abide by the code of ethics or code of conduct for thugs to protect their essence and thus make those that do not support it to feel at ease in their communities. The following codes can be applied to different walks of life as well.

1. All new Jacks to the game must know: a) He’s going to get rich. b) He’s going to jail. c) He’s going to die.

2. Crew Leaders: You are responsible for legal/financial payment commitments to crew members; your word must be your bond.

3. One crew’s rat is every crew’s rat. Rats are now like a disease; sooner or later we all get it; and they should too.

4. Crew leader and posse should select a diplomat, and should work ways to settle disputes. In unity, there is strength!

5. Car jacking in our Hood is against the Code.

6. Slinging to children is against the Code.

7. Having children slinging is against the Code.

8. No slinging in schools.

9. Since the rat Nicky Barnes opened his mouth; ratting has become accepted by some. We’re not having it.

10. Snitching is not tolerated.

11. The Boys in Blue don’t run nothing; we do. Control the Hood, and make it safe for squares.

12. No slinging to pregnant Sisters. That’s baby killing; that’s genocide!

13. Know your target, who’s the real enemy.

14. Civilians are not a target and should be spared.

15. Harm to children will not be forgiven.

16. Attacking someone’s home where their family is known to reside, must be altered or checked.

17. Senseless brutality and rape must stop.

18. Our old folks must not be abused.

19. Respect our Sisters. Respect our Brothers.

20. Sisters in the Life must be respected if they respect themselves.

21. Military disputes concerning business areas within the community must be handled professionally and not on the block.

22. No shooting at parties.

23. Concerts and parties are neutral territories; no shooting!

24. Know the Code; it’s for everyone.

25. Be a real ruff neck. Be down with the code of the Thug Life.

26. Protect yourself at all times.



As his works continue to impact our lives, the least we can do is to respect his legacy and remember him for the greater good  he stood behind during his lifetime on earth..