Mass Lowe Gambia’s Mbalax Star

Sunday, July 29, 2007

Mass Lowe is a Gambian mbalax musician who is very near and dear to the hearts of music lovers in this small but great West African State. The Banjul- born star started playing music in the early 80’s with St. Augustine’s High School Band; that time the band used to perform at Oasis Night Club in Banjul.

After few years of hard slug Mass struck goal in his musical career when he dropped his first hit recorded song entitled ‘My Sister’ in 1988.

In his attempt to develop his musical acumen, Mass left The Gambia in 1991 to journey to Dakar where he spent three roller-coaster years. While in Dakar Mass was fortunate to have tremendous jam sessions with a coterie of professional musicians in Senegal. This, without doubt, has contributed greatly in honing his talents.
Following his strategic return to The Gambia Mass with the support and guidance of the music maestro Leon Prom, was able to form his own band which was called Mass Lowe and the Xam Xam Band in 1995, a band that is still kicking and alive.

Mass released his first Album titled Nice Boy in 1995. This NICE BOY earned Mass critical acclaimed both in The Gambia and abroad.

 In 1998 he went to Ghana to attend the emancipation Day celebration in Ghana were he was lucky to meet Rita Marley and Alpha Blondy. From there he got their contacts which enabled him to attend the Blondy Festival organised by Alpha Blondy in Ivory Coast the same year. In 1999 The Gambian Organisation in Sweden invited him to attend a musical festival in Sweden and from after attending the concert there he crossed to Finland.

Mass  released his  second Album titled Kosso Kosso  in 1998 .

In 2000 he  released the ‘Nice Boy’ Remix in U.K

In 2001 he  went on a musical tour of  the US sequel to which he moved to the UK.

In 2002 he met the IBM management Boss, Byron Byrd , who is currently serving as his manager . Mass hopes to release his  next Album in 2008. He also is doing some tours around Africa to promote his music.

Author: By Njie Baldeh
Source: The Point
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