WHAT’S ON: Student set to release new album

Friday, September 19, 2008

Alieu Gaye, alias Papa K aka Smokey, a young Gambian musician, who incidentally is a student, has said that his new album would be out by the end of September 2008. He said that the first track of the album titled "My Life" will be played on radio stations across the country next week. Papa K revealed that his album is being recorded by the House of Production in Senegambia, who have been very supportive to him.

In an exclusive interview with the Whats On on Thursday, Papa K said that he started singing three years ago, noting that music has always been part of his life since childhood. He said that his new album contains ten to twelve songs, mostly based on Rap, Hip-Hop and Ragga. he revealed that he become a musician by virtue of the hardship and pain he underwent in his life; his songs are therefore geared towards making the people know how painful life can be. Papa K however revealed that he is not without constraints as he needs assistance from the general public to help him record some of his cassettes and also to develop Gambian music to international level.

"I wish to seek assistance from the public to help me finance my album and also to take Gambian music to higher heights", he said. He observed that the music industry in The Gambia is gradually being overshadowed by western music, his aim is therefore to help  review it and give it back its lost glory. He dwelt on history saying that music started in Africa through griots and asserted the need to revive it. He finally called on all ghetto youths to avoid trouble as it makes their life more miserable.

Author: by Amadou Sonko-Bah