African Broadcasting Network-America was incorporated in 2002 to provide an established medium for information on African people, culture, music and sports. Its success in Minneapolis fueled ABN's move to position itself as the only broadcast network in the US dedicated to the continent of Africa.
One of the vibrant and popular presenters at this network is Amie Dibba. She is Miss Gambia USA 2006 and a sprouting music star. In one of her talk shows Melody Africa , Amie features lot of videos of Gambian musicians.
With the support of the ABN management, the Beauty Queen is currently in The Gambia to run interviews with the local musicians and see how best to expose them to a wider audience. Despite her busy schedule, onegambia succeeded in securing an interview with her.
Which Gambian musicians are you promoting on ABN?
Sambou Susso, Dr Olugander, Njie B, Freaky Joe and Heart Breaka but that's just a start. There is more to come and that more to come can only be possible if we work together.
Does your audience appreciate Gambian sounds?
The response has been great, especially with Freaky Joe. His jumps up and down is really moving lot of people in the States. Everybody said he does it like Lucky Dube. Lot of Gambians, that watch ABN are always excited when they see their stars on the screen. It helps them a lot to know the new developments in the country.
Lot of them asked how I succeeded in getting all that stuff, because I last been to The Gambia in 1998. I only told them that I am determined. Dj Lil Sisquo in Norway was the guy who first sent me the music. It's on the internet I met him and told him what I wanted.
From the feedbacks you received from your audience, in which areas do you think Gambian music needs improvement?
It's not necessarily in the production of the videos. I think we need it in the equipments and the resources the artists have. We have a lot of talents in the Gambia . If Gambians support their artists like in Senegal we will go very far. In Minnesota I go to Guinean programs and I hear them play Baaba Maal, Youssou Ndour and many other Senegalese artists.
Why shouldn't they be listening to Gambians too.
My room mate last year in college, is Cuban and Maxican. I have Freaky Joe's CD in my room. I will go to class and come and still find her listening to Freaky. Sometimes she doesn't know what he is saying, but she just listen to it.
When Lil Sisquo sent me the video of Sambou, I got everybody in college to come around and watch it. Almost every day a girl will come around and tell me can you play that lady that dance that and that…..and most of them are whites.
You are Miss Gambia USA 2006. Tell us about your new title?
I like it ( laughs) I like it, but I like having the title and using it to help. I able to use it to help the people, to help myself you know.
What are your engagements as Miss Gambia ?
Representing Gambia every day, especially in the USA . The Gambia is a very small country, some people haven't heard of it before some stereotype the country. My job is to tell the people that the country is a beautiful place. I get them listen to our stars. I get them to visit onegambia.com and all the sites that talk about the country. That type of things is what I do. I visit schools and I still want to visit more to tell them about The Gambia. I want to be a mouth piece. We can all make a difference.. It's good to represent The Gambia.
You are a musician what type of music do you play?
Most of the time I do RnB. I want to do different type of music. I want to do reggae, mbalax and many other varieties. I like music so it's not a big deal for me. I can adapt to different kind of music. I don't want to limit myself.
When do we expect your debut album?
I don't know, because I dedicate most of my time to ABN and my studies. For me when I do something I want to do it all the way or do it not at all.
Akon is doing a lot to promote Senegal . How do you intend to promote The Gambia in your music?
I did a song called Gambia stand up and I sang it at the Viviane show at the Independence Stadium in Bakau. Sometimes I might not mention any local language in my songs, but always ensure that the name Gambia is included. I also did a song with my cousin and he spoke wollof at the end of the song.
We got lot of musicians in America . Are you optimistic of a breakthrough?
Yes it's true but a lot of them are one hit wonders. They have their fifty minutes of fame and you never see them again. To me that's their inability to analyse the business situation, before they got into it. That's why I said I want to wait until I am sure. There are people who want to be famous, who want to be musicians but they don't want to work for it. It's hard, it's not easy and that's why people need to stop this piracy stuff. It's not fair, you put a lot finance in it and you just turn around and see people duplicating making their own money out of it.
Do you want instant fame in the music?
Music is something that I love, that I enjoy. The fame is not what is driving me. With fame comes attention and this might not be positive. As long as people get to hear my message I am ok.
American music is becoming synonymous to sex and crime. As an African do you think you will be able to impact any change?
We have to understand that the cultures are different. They accept those types of things. There is also a population that's not happy with the way women are shown on the videos and the song contents. For me its like if you don't want it, don't listen or watch it. We all have our personal choice.
How do you promote your music in The Gambia ?
I have not started it yet, although I have given out my CD to some people here. I am not yet ready to promote myself hundred percent.
What do we expect from you as a musician in the next two years?
I hope you will be able to see an album from me and videos.
