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Born in a small village called Kembujeh in the Western part of The Gambia , music act Egalitarian lived in Cassamance, Southern Senegal for nearly ten years. This was where he started developing keen interest in music. He returned back to the country in 1991 and started schooling. He couldn't continue with this due to financial difficulties. In 2001 he entered studio to record his first single, Fellow Sufferers . This single was more like a narration of the difficulties he went through. With the assistance of Gambega Ltd (a soft drink processing plant) he dropped an album in the market. Egalitarian, who is now twenty five years, I have rubbed shoulders with big African hip hop stars like Awadi of the Positive Black Soul ( Senegal ), Press Ka ( Ivory Coast ), Phenor B ( Niger) and many others. Shortly before he took his flight to perform at an international conference in Burkina Faso , we caught up with him for a chat. Why do you call yourself the Egalitarian? My friends gave me that name, because they say I always advocate for equality and besides when ever there is a problem amongst them I try to bring peace. When I was given the name I never knew the meaning until when I picked my dictionary. Do you belong to a griot family?
Yes I believe, because my father plays the Fula riti , but it did little to inspire me. When I was in Casamance, there have been lots of activities involving singing and dancing. The whole village would come out to enjoy. When they played the drums I try to join in the singing and this is how every thing started. How was your first and only album in the market? It was cool. Gambega Ltd, the sponsors of the album bought five hundred copies and the rest were bought by the fans. After the release of this album, you also released lot of singles that could have been in one album. What was responsible for this? It's because I want to show my new level in the music, as I prepare to release my second album. The promo singles will help a lot in giving me adequate promotion. Tell us what makes you different from other young musicians in The Gambia ?
My songs contain lot of messages and it moves any body who listens to them. I also believe the flavour of my music is different from the others. I try as much as possible to blend it in such a way that it can appeal to both European and African listeners.
You once attended a music clash in Dakar , Senegal . How did it go?
A total of twelve countries took part, ten from Africa and the other two from Europe . The contest was about HIV/AIDS awareness. Each artist presented a song on AIDS. I came out fourth position. The organizers were Optimist Productions, based in Senegal . How did that clash help you as a musician?
I benefited from it in that it offered me some promotion and also gained me a number of contacts. You are also traveling to Burkina Faso to show your talents, who arranged this for you? It is the Plan International for Child Rights Promotion. I was once invited by this organization to represent The Gambia in a conference that talked about defending and protecting the rights of African children. From that conference, I was identified as a partner and any time they have a program am invited. Why were you identified as the most suitable musician to work with them from The Gambia ?
I am not the best nor the most suitable but that's how God decided it. I am just being lucky and that is not about being the best. Most of your colleagues quit the music when they travel abroad or start getting big money. Do we expect the same from Egalitarian? It's a question of believing in yourself. For me, music is my life. I have no other thing to do apart from music. Music feeds and pays my house rent. With the help of God, I don't think I will stop playing music just like that. Are you comfortable with the standard of recording in The Gambia ? It's not too bad, not too good also. We really need perfect studios with qualified technicians and engineers. The studios we are having at the moment are really trying. In which area do you think we need urgent attention in The Gambian music industry? Copyright laws! It's sad to produce something and you don't make any money out of it. We need to make this law happen. Was your first album affected by the absence of a copyright law? Really it was so bad, in fact right now I am scared of releasing my second album in The Gambia. Sometimes I walk in town and hear my music playing. When I go to find out I always realize that it's not the original tape. When do we expect your second album? I got some one abroad; I don't want to disclose his name, who wants to take it up. Hopefully it will be out very soon. What difficulties are you encountering at the moment? Sponsorship is still a problem.
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