30/12/2021
THE GAMBIAN MUSIC INDUSTRY HAS BECOME A PAWN FOR SENEGALESE ARTISTS WHILE GAMBIAN ARTISTS ARE BECOMING PUPPETS IN THEIR OWN MUSIC INDUSTRY.
First, let me clarify. There is a difference between wolof and Senegalese. It seems our wolof followers become offensive whenever we talk about Senegalese. Sometimes they refer to it as tribalism.
However, the reality is that Wolofs in the Gambia value Senegalese artists more than Wolofs artists in the Gambia. This is a known fact. Therefore, do not be offended when we talk about Senegal, we are not discussing wolofs and there is no tribalism involved.
During Christmas and the New Year, all the major events are dominated by Senegalese artists. Allowing yourself to perform with Senegalese artists makes you look like a puppet. In the first place, you are bringing your fans to an event where you aren't paid as much as Senegalese artists, in fact, you aren't even making a fraction of what Senegalese artists make.
Gambian promoters are using you like a puppet and preventing you from coming up with your profitable show. On Facebook, I saw several people saying it is our hardcore money and no one should tell us how to spend it. They are right. But remember, when you need assistance, you do not turn to Senegalese. Instead, you turn to your Gambian people. When starting a business. Your fellow Gambians support you, not Senegalese artists.
Each year, Gambian artists help so many communities across the country. When was the last time you saw a Senegalese artist helping in the Gambia.
It is one of the problems we face as Gambians that we lack self-sufficiency. With a little over 2 million people, we are a very small country. We can work together to get rich. But we feel that if I help Mr. Sanyang, he will do better than me, so I would rather not help. This is why we cannot do well to help our own. As a result of the lack of support, our business is struggling, our artists are struggling, and our talented people are all struggling.
Artists in the Gambia should step up. The government imposed penalties on promoters who paid Senegalese artists more than Gambian artists. Charge promoters a hefty amount when bringing Senegalese artists into the country. Form a coalition and meet with the president. Stop being a puppet and start acting like one.
Gambian artists aren't worth much in the diaspora, particularly in the Seattle Gambian community. I know this for a fact. Jaliba Kuyateh is the only Gambian artist who does well. When you bring a Gambian artist other than Jaliba, they don't show up. Gambians occupied 75% of the hall when a Senegalese artist was in town. That support did not benefit the Gambia. It all went to Senegal.
Tell me how you support our Gambian artists and the music industry. Some people will come here and say the quality of music here is different. Well, one reason why artists become successful and produce quality music is through the support of their own people. Therefore, spare me such thoughts.
