When it comes to entertainments in The Gambia, Pisces name rings a bell. Pisces is undoubtedly one of the leading reggae dancehall selectors of our recent times.

Otherwise known as the Real Mycoy, the young selector’s career in music dates back as far as his secondary schooling times. Since then he has been in the forefront of the Gambia’s music industry and has been very instrumental in the entertainment scene, which earned him to get as many fans as possible especially among the youth folk. Virtually all his shows, the young selector hot-golden fingers and selecting skills is just great. He has the ability to virtually move a crowd of youngsters especially music enthusiast when it come to reggae vibes.

Pisces founded Onetribe Sound, years ago and this sound is now internationally recognised. Onetribe Sound has representative both in England and Belgium as well. It was established in the United States and since then, has been breaking international records.

Pisces is currently one of DJ’s at West Coast Radio station. Basically, Onetribe sound as the name implies, was set up to gather people of different origin, race or background together through entertainments.

In 2007, Onetribe sound won an international trophy in Switzerland. Recently, due to his promising future and prolific skills, he was awarded as the best 2007 Club DJ of the year organised by Gambian Talent Promotions (GTP) at a ceremony held at the Kairaba Beach Hotel..

What’s On recently caught up with him and had this exclusively chat, where he talks a lot about his Switzerland award, recent GTP as well as his DJ career among others.

Excerpts:

Can you give us a brief account of yourself? My real name is Mustapha Manjang. I have been in the entertainment scene for a quite a while now since my high school days. I attended Gambia High School and finished in 1991. I travelled to the United States the same year to pursue my educational career at the University of Maine in the United States of America.

Are you married?

Oh yeah, am married and even got a six year old daughter.

When was Onetribe Sounds established?

I founded Onetribe Sound in 1997 in the USA and introduced it to the people of The Gambia in 1999.

At Onetribe we are original in whatever we do. That is why I even get the name "Real Mycoy".

Why do you called yourself Pisces?

Well Pisces is my star sign.

But others called you the Real Mycoy. What those that actually mean?

(Laughs).. the name Mycoy was an engineer in the United States back in those days who discovered an engine oil and this engine oil become very popular at that time. So when people go to buy this oil from the shops, they use to ask is it the Real Mycoy meaning, is it the original oil. Basically, it means the original and not a copy. It was a very popular word and was use almost everyday at the time in the United States. So since being the only selector with the name Pisces that’s how I got the sobriquet meaning, the original and not a copy.

How big is Onetribe Sound?

(Laughs)…Well Onetribe Sound is a big family sound movement. It’s a world wide sound I can say. Is like we play simultaneously in England and Belguim. We have Omsy B in Birmingham and D Masta in Belguim.

Later on G-Faal and Yanks joined us. But I started it first and Omsy B came on board in 2000 and D Masta in 2004. So we are the three main selectors. However, we get quick popularity in The Gambia mainly from our dub plates- (this are special praise song that an artist promotes someone).

Also we are skilled when it comes to mixing and our communication styles. Is like me, I spent a lot studying music.

Onetribe organised a special day called the Decent Thursday at Waaw night club every Thursday night. How busy is this night in The Gambia?

(Laughs)….Well, it is the biggest reggae dancehall party throughout Africa and is in its fifth year. In addition, we also play at Cotton night club every Sunday. Is like this days, all journeys lead to Waaw and Cotton night club.

What’s the main target of Onetribe Sound?

Well I started Onetribe sound with the intention to unite people together. Everyone loves music especially the youths and apart from Sports, music is the next game that gather people together.

What are some of your biggest achievements since inception some 10 years ago?

(Laughs)…our achievements are many. However, Since the formation, we purchased a sound system worth over one million dalasis in the UK. I can name all our achievements we have registered because they are many.

Onetribe won an international trophy in Switzerland in 2007. Tell us little about this sound clash and how many sound systems took part in the clash?

(Laughs)… the name of the competition was called 1-2-3 Baddan Dan mega sound clash hosted by the legendary David Rodigan. It was well competed by three other big sound systems, one from New York called Kevlar Tone, Ghetto Genius from UK and the Soldier Sound from the host country of Switzerland.

How tough was that sound clash?

Oh it was really tough for an African sound coming from a small country –The Gambia. Also people had the believed that good things never come out from Africa. But before we got into the competition, I had the believed that we will win because I had more experience that all those sounds. Onetribe has been around before all those sounds and we got more dubbed plates than them.

Recently you grabbed another prestigious award as the best 2007 club DJ of the year. Was it a surprise to you because of the category you were group which involves other finest DJ’s?

(Laughs)…Oh! no it wasn’t a surprises to me. This was long over due. We are like a column or pillar in the entertainment scene because if you minus us in this things, it will be boring. So I really appreciates the award. But it doesn’t defined us because with the award Pisces is still Pisces and people love and respect what I do.

Do you plan to bring any foreign artist in The Gambia in the near future?

Oh! yeah I have plans but I think is important to help our local talents. I want to export our local star internationally before I import them. We have good artist and I think if we give them the necessary support they will leave up to expectations.

The Gambia’s music industry is developing steadily in recent years. Do you think there is still more room for improvement?

Oh! Yeah, our boys are developing to some extend. But a lot need to be done. The Gambia has a small population so in terms of music sales, it is a bit low compared to other countries.

Another aspect is that Gambians appreciate things that comes from outside The Gambia than what we have in the country. Let us give them the necessary support and they will excel. Again, let us love and respect artists. Music has no frontiers just take an example of Senegal. That country is now known internationally in music and sports thanks to Akon, the Senegalese born world acclaimed R&B celebrity and Youssour Ndour among other big stars selling that country to the internationally.

Who is your favourites Gambia artists?

(Laughs)…Well I can’t tell that. They are all my stars and I love and respect them for their work.

Any final word?

Yeah, each one teach one and let us respect and love one another. Gambia forward!!!