FIILA anniversary: The story

On Friday June 1 Blank Lynx and Mediamatic celebrated the third year anniversary of the popular entertainment TV show in the Gambia known as Filla at Jakarlo, Senegambia. By 1 a.m the presenters of the Fiila TV show, Xmylz and Blacka colourfully walked on stage with an hyper interactive approach to start off with official opening, followed by Fanta who sang the national anthem which led to the first performance by Humanity Starz Band injecting doses of undiluted homemade Mbalax songs to the crowd. Prior to the opening, a handful of acts like Silky, P. Mo, New Era, among others held down the freestyle session with DJ Alieu B flooding the place with powerful instrumentals warming up the crowd for the great show they are about to witness like taking a swig on a bottle of Youki. 

The night featured the country’s popular youthful entertainers like Jalimadi Afro manding sensation soothing the crowd with “Masanneh Ceesay”. The” Liv it Up “ hit maker Sing -A- Teh was also in the mix with a midget on stage with awesome dance moves tearing the whole place apart. One of Gambia’s reggae heads, Benjamin from Brix did an inspiring performance with his crew. A popular rap star Gee, made the best performance of the night, when Sandeng of Humanity Starz walked on stage serenading the crowd with “Yow La Buga” hook, the whole crowd turns into a firework of screams and massive crowd’s overpowering desire to see Gee lingering somewhere offstage right before he gently walked on stage to be engulfed by the satisfaction and love shown by the crowd, followed by New Era and Cyco on the song “Nakala”. Camera phones, photographers, were everywhere trying to take a clear shot and the crowd singing along. The ShyBoy Entertainment artiste, Brokay who recently have made name for himself from his popular song “Sunkuto” hyper activated the crowd reaction with incredible comic lines “Jang kang nganya” with the Humanity Starz Band giving him all he musical energy. Another regular of the show, BK City also add spice to the show. The show lasted with Humanity Starz Band backing almost all the artistes. 

Fiila TV show which is broadcasted on the national television every Monday presented by Xmylz and Blacka has gave the entertainment industry a new facelift, adopting the culture of showcasing, celebrating and appreciating the flavor of local juice or talent towards building a productive industry. The TV show is produced by Haruna Drammeh and Waagan since its inception promoting local talent.

Music enthusiasts who expressed their delight over the innovative TV show added that its a step towards building favorable artistic environment to cater for all genres emerging in The Gambia. Another keen follower of the Gambian music regarded Fiila TV show crew as “contributors in nation building”