Killa Ace's "Lyrical Assassination" mixtape coming on DVD real soon

On Tuesday, the 5th of June, Killa Ace broke the news of his impending mixtape entitled "Lyrical Assassination". The work, according to the Rap sensation, will be out on DVD very soon. The rapper dropped the hint in a chat by Bilal on Hip Hop On the Bench radio show on Unique FM.
Killa Ace or Alibaba is one of the country's most outspoken Hip Hop emcees. He had released a mixtape on CD last year, which did, and is still receiving many thumbs up by the Hip Hop Headz. During the interview he also said that Hip Hop is under attack and lots of people are trying to discredit the image of Hip Hop. The DVD is expected to be released real soon in The Gambia.

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..

Gambia Music Union must shape up or ship out

After taking charge of office as the director of literature, performing and fine arts, NCAC in March Mr. Sheikh Omar Jallow challenged the Gambia Music Union to start stirring up or give chance to others who can execute what is expected of them. In an interview, Mr. Jallow echoed his sentiments and said he is still doing a consultation work to find out the factors that led to the slackness of the music union.  “I gave GAMU 90 days to start stirring up and make things happens instead of  sleeping or else dissolve” he added
Mr. Jallow said the reason why they want the union to start stirring up is because they want copyright law to stand and the copyright law cannot stand without the collecting societies, and one of the fundamental stakeholder is GAMU.
The Gambia Music Union which was formed in May 2008 with the supposed objective of rounding all the Gambian musicians under one organized body and polish their status, and to set  reasonable rates for their pay among others.This has prompted the NCAC to take necessary steps towards achieving that fundamental goal in building income earning artistic industry.
Jallow who has a new portfolio to solve the problem of promoting and protecting the interest of those engaged in the performing arts, reaffirmed his stand on the issue “the NCAC is on top of things at the moment and we are consulting with all stakeholders to see how to make things happen” he said.
He lamented that the NCAC will bring all heads together from all the stakeholders in the music scene, brainstorm and see what are the problems the industry is encountering and out of that report, a five year strategy plan will be put in place to guide them in stirring up the music industry.
The director of literature, performing and fine arts also said he will be there to help the music union in making sure things work out fine.
“If you cannot make things happen give chance to others because you cannot stay at the helm of power and not making things happen, its an institution not a personal property” he continued ringing bells.
It is most evident that recently the issue of why Gambian artistes are not been paid for their creative works of art has been a concern for many and needs the attention of all stakeholders to solve the issue.
“this is why a very organized institution like the Gambia Writers Association cannot collect their royalties and cannot do anything with copyright because their partners are not in place”. He further added
Jallow further emphasized that “there must be that sense of responsibility to be taken by all parties” and said the NCAC will continue to knock on  doors to have extra funds they need but it does not mean without the funds they will not be able to execute their plans and they will be concentrating on capacity building areas as well which is one of the important areas they will look into when the strategic plan is drawn.

Hip Hop Headz Horizon Corner

>> Linez from the gr8 teacha- KRS One <<

* Trust in God, that's where the crown is at. It's not in what you get, it's what happens after that.

* Your addiction to your needs and your wants is what causes problems in your life. Make sure you got watcha need. Put at a safe distance all the things that you want. It's what you want that gets you into trouble.

* You sleep with a man, that's your husband. So make sure before you lay down, you love him.

* Instead of picking up our women, ready to mistreat them, you better get yourself a wife and kid and never leave them.

* Rap is something you do Hip Hop is something you live.   

* Better change your ways, we coming up on stranger days.

* Everyone and everything is at war, making my poetic expression hardcore.

* Trust in the inner, the outer is for sinners.
                                                                                                       Thanks for those linez Big man.

                             

Now that being noted with pleasure, i will delve straight into sharing the little I have gathered and also looking forward to learn from the rest of the Hip Hop Headz fam with the passion for the fifth element or Hip Hop kulture so to speak. which is not necessarily the focal point though. I call it Horizon Corner.


***** Horizon Corner# hop in to widen the gaze on the windscreen. Like most Hip Hop Headz, am more interested in minds + creativity= benefits/knowledge to feed the insatiable taste for knowing and learning the art of sharing as well to uplift the mind-state in any little way possible *****

KRS One is more than a man I so much admire... Going through his works, lectures and all his activism campaigns in the black communities and the world at large, mein I feel something beyond the expression of words for being part and parcel of Hip Hop kulture as to how it impacted my life and whole perspective of my immediate surrounding and the world at large. Hip Hop is a culture you live, just like 2PAC did though he is often regarded as dwelling on violent lyrics but there is another side of the coin too- He waltz his way into the white mainstream "bursting through" at a time he felt calls for his actions and his own redefinition of a T.H.U.G in a more conceptual way countering "em crackers" making use of the art of war to break free and fight for social justice and craving to see change in black communities similar to Malcom X's and Che Guevara's own definition of REVOLUTION. "Somebody gotta explain why I ain’t got shit" 2Pac speaking here.

Am sure my brother P-a will shed light comprehensively on this area of the corner. He loves revolutionary figures and shares their ideals as well.

Now back to the lane, looking back at the past events you'd realize that most of the events surrounding slavery, injustice, suffering, poverty, disease, segregation etc has really influenced Hip Hop in many ways, and it is still evidently replicated in the works of different people from different cultures and background using Hip Hop to express what ever has to deal with change, education, upliftment, attitudinal change among others to prepare minds destined for greater things in life than being caged in our own minds in our own bodies.

In reality human being like taking excuses all the time to serve what ever purpose.

In light of that, authentic Hip Hop is often regarded as anti system/hardcore (to some it is=*boring*) but Hip Hop can teach us a whole lot of good things especially now more than ever, the changing world where only few cares about how we would tend to look at things and value things while buried in trying to put ends first before humanity. I believe Hip Hop can drive us to learn about self, surroundings, economy, religion and all the things that has to do with our planet and even beyond. Its not just about kicks and juice or whips and chains rap songs breeding another self destruct lifestyles ranging from the food and drinks being consumed, lavish lifestyle which stands for "live today while you can tomorrow is not promised to no one". Imagine that culture of thinking incorporated into the things that bear marks on us all on a daily basis. What happened to love and respect for self to be replicated into our immediate environments? nowadays things that used to be big deals are no longer big deals, (teenage pregnancy or casual sex, mode of dressing, respecting elders consent, gay tolerance, etc) why? well maybe what we take globalization, civilization development suppose to be is really taking a toll on the us in another way round and downgrading our sense of blackness which Hip Hop has continued to advocate, to learn about self first to before expressing self to know where you are heading.
Anywayz.. don’t wanna be no-it-all or do-gooder, the point is to raise such awareness in our everyday life and works of art most especially the most influential genre in the whole world (Hip Hop) than learning to be very good at turning a deaf ears to things that usually defeat our purpose.

Bizzare but real cool stuffs, jokes etcetera

According to studies more left handed people alive today, than have ever died.

Actually more men than women are left-handed and the percentage of left handed people rise from 5% to 10% for period of last 100 years.

Left-handed person likely to die on average 9 years earlier than right handed counterparts.

Leonardo da Vinci could write with one hand whilst drawing with the other. If you are not impressed, then try it for yourself. Left-handed people are more likely to be creative geniuses. Take a look at list of famous left handed people:

Albert Einstein

Isaac Newton

Leonardo Da Vinci

Pablo Picasso

Alexander the Great

Julius Caesar

Napoleon Bonaparte

Henry Ford

Lewis Carroll

Ringo Starr

Bobby Fisher and many other famous left handed people...

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

• No word in the English language rhymes with silver, month, orange or purple.
• Over 2500 left handed people a year are killed from using products made for right handed people.
• Ancient Egyptians slept on pillows made of stone.
• Generally, a dog's mouth has fewer germs and bacteria than a human's mouth.
• A pregnant goldfish is called a twit.
• Scissors were invented by Leonardo da Vinci.
• Apples are more efficient than caffeine in keeping people awake in the morning.
• The Mona Lisa has no eyebrows. It was the fashion in Renaissance Florence to shave them off.
• Mexico once had three presidents in one day.
• Pope John XII and Attila the Hun both died whilst having sex.
• Millions of trees are accidentally planted by squirrels that bury their nuts and then forget where they left them.

Jokes

 

Three things you must not hear the doctor speak in an operation theatre.

1. If this is the kidney and that is the liver, what the heck is this?
2. Now where is page 5 of the operation manual?
3. Shoo shooo! Black dog, come back with that piece, that’s not your dinner.

>> Question: Which day of the week is most hated by fish?
Answer: Fry Day

>> In an examination, a question was asked:
2K + K =? 

The student wrote:
3000 bucks

>> Why is 10 afraid of 7?
ans= Because seven ate nine.

 

17 year old Gambian rhymer based in Sweden

Mambuna Njie, an upcoming Gambian Hip Hop Artist and a song writer based in Sweden fondly called villi started writing lyrics at the tender age of twelve, but never had the green light to record a song. However, he focused on his education since it is so vital in this materialistic world, and started getting real with it when he performed in front of 600 spectators in a concert and the crowd felt like diddn't get enough of him, and had to demand another performance. Villi is known in his area as a freestyle genius for spitting rhymes as they come in his head without writing them down.

Right after his high school graduation, he left for London, were he met a producer by the name Steve who welcomed his works and help him to produce couple of songs they've worked on together for his mix tape that was supposed to be released in London, but Villi later went back to Sweden to enroll in college at the same time working hard to become a better Hip Hop artist, practicing his vocal and writing skills.

Currently Villi is signed to So hard music group and have released a single titled “money gettin” produced by Nine Diamond and Adamack available on iTunes and all the digital outlets. His debut album I WANT IT ALL will most certainly speak for itself when it is dropped in Sweden sometime June 2012.

Villi also plays soccer very well and a big fan of Maybach music group, Mill, Wale and Big Sean are his favorites rappers, he said his goals are not to be like them but to be better than them which he is really working on as you are reading this.

Parliament retains Speaker, Deputy Speaker

The house of parliament (National Assembly) yesterday held its first meeting of the fourth legislature in the second republic of The Gambia, which saw the former speaker and the deputy speaker unanimously elected to serve another term.

Speaker Abdoulaye Bojang and deputy speaker Fatou Mbaye were nominated and elected unopposed by the national assembly members.

The occasion was graced by the Speaker of the federal republic of Nigeria, the deputy speaker of Mauritania, Vice president and minister of women’s affairs of the country, Chief Justice, cabinet ministers, and well wishers among other dignitaries.

In accordance with the provision of section 97 (1) of the 1997 constitution of The Gambia, the duo sworn-in to renew their allegiance to serve national interest without fear, favor, affection or ill-will.

In his inaugural speech, Hon. Abdoulaye Bojang registered his allegiance and loyalty to the Gambian leader, president Jammeh , and thanked him for what he called, ‘the trust and confidence’ bestowed on him to serve the national assembly.

He also commended the members of the house for the unanimous election and for renewing their trust in him.

The speaker further assured the parliamentarians his continuous support and in welcoming their democratic ideas.

As representatives of the society, he urged the members to be dedicated to serve and promote supreme national interest, while underscoring the need for unity.

He also challenged them to put aside partisan politics and move the country forward, saying: “national interest should supersede individual and party interest.” He called on the members of the house to lead by example.

Hon. Bojang went on to thank those members who lost in their various constituencies and could not make it to the house for the hard work and support rendered to the parliament during their tenure.

Meanwhile, the Majority leader of the house, Honorable Fabakary Tombong Jatta was also unanimously re-elected to maintain his position, whilst the member for Niamina Dankunku, Honorable Samba Jallow was elected as the minority leader.

All the elected members and the nominated members of the house took their oath in office.

The nominated members included Honorable captain (rtd) Lamin K. Saine, Honorable Sainey Chatty, Honourable Seedy S.K. Njie, Honorable Aji Fatou Jeng and Honorable Babou Gaye Sonko.

At the end of the swearing-ceremony, a special dinner was hosted in honor of the visiting delegation of the Nigerian speaker and the deputy speaker of Mauritania at the Ocean Bay Hotel.

Author- Mariam Saine (TODAY Newspaper)