Fiila celebrates third anniversary in colouful musical style

Friday the 1st of June will for a very long while remain indelible in the minds of music lovers in The Gambia. 1st Black Lynx and mediamatic celebrated the third year anniversary of the popular entertainment and music hit TV show - FIILA. It all came down at Jakarlo, Senegambia. The arena was filled to the brim by excited fans eager to be thrilled by The Gambian music stars and television entertainment impresarios- the FIILA crew.

The event which was supported by Africell and Youki featured performances by Humanity Starz Band injecting doses of undiluted homemade Mbalax songs to the crowd, but not before 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. There was also great comedy and lots of fun.

BINZY: The Big Momma of Rap

Binzy, a young female rapper from Fajikunda ripped the "Rep your Ghetto" show part 1. organized by Down Home records on saturday, the 2nd of June. The show featured many Hip Hop artistes but it was Binzy's raw G-style performance that stole the show. She started by rapping on a hard, Hip hop instrumental claiming that Hip Hop is in Fajikunda. watch out for her! Today will keep you posted about binzy straight out of Fajikunda.

The Gambia Music Union gets a new executive

The Gambia music union on Thursday, the 24th of June 2012, inaugurated a new executive that will oversee both the activities of the union, as well as the welfare of its members. This was at the union's congress at Alliance Francaise.

The congress which brought together the artiste community and the NCAC officials is geared towards fostering unity and cooperation within members. Dr. Oliver Mboge, a musician became the president of the Gambia music union. Sambou Suso, Yusupha Ngum and Njie B, were made vice presidents I, II, and III respectively. Other members of the new Executive are Kalilu Banja: Secretary -General, Saikou Dibbasey (a.k.a omid Wisdom) Asst. Secretary-General and Yasally Njie of West Coast Radio: PRO.

The new president. Mboge, thanked the members of the union for entrusting him with the responsibility of the union and promised to adhere to the union's constitution. He also pledged to stir the affairs of the Gambia Music Union towards the path of progress. The new executive members are expected to work hard to curb the myriad of challenges facing the union presently. The NCAC officials emphasized on copyright issues, and urged the artistes to register their original works so that they can be protected when the collecting socities start collecting royalties.

Gambian artistes like Bala Ranks, Sambou Suso, Yusupha Ngum, Sir X, Hot B, Bilal, Tam50, Mighty Joe, Papa Lengthy, Sambou, Nova, Chess, Alieu of Humanity Band, Nasi B, and a host of other artistes graced the congress.

ENTERTAINMENT TIT BITS

HOME COOK FREESTYLE COMPETITION FINAL

On Saturday, the 9th of June, Speed Rebel will face Brain Kracka in the Home Cook Freestyle Rap Competition from 9pm to 11pm. The freestyle competition which commenced on 10th February 2012 at Capital FM with 13 mostly underground rappers is now left with the two rappers for the final showdown.

At the end of the competition on the 9th of this month, one of the two Rap music acts ( the winner ) will have secured a recording deal from Negrophil Recordz, a video clip, plus cash prices courtesy of Killa Ace (controversial Hip Hop emcee). A show will be also be staged at the winner's neighbourhood or place of choice. The Home Cook Freestyle competition is the first of its kind in The Gambia. The idea is to help expose and support upcoming music acts.

>>>>>><<<<<<

Humanity Band is now Humanity Starz

The lead vocalist of the Starz made the announcement on stage after their performances on Friday June 1 at Jakarlo during the FIILA third anniversary concert.

>>>>><<<<<

Places to hang out this weekend!

Do you want to enjoy live band music right in the heart of Kairaba Avenue? Alright, the place to be is Timeless Restaurant.

Friday June 8 

Five Star Band live! At Timeless Restaurant on Kairaba Avenue.

Saturday June 9

Chameleon Band offers the best of Salsa music live! At Timeless Restaurant 

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.