Whilst in The Gambia he founded the youth group YIDAC, Pa Ousman Joof now based in the USA is currently busy trying to arrange shows for Gambian artists currently on a US tour facilitated by the African Artists Association of New York. In this interview, he gives a status overview and certainly leaves out no details.

Q-Back in the Gambia you had worked with a number of our young upcoming artistes before you left for the US, how did you receive the news of the visit of Freaky and Mbye Gaye to the USA ?

Asalamu Alaikum , greetings in the spirit of Gambianism, I must say I am very happy to grant this interview to Pa Njie. So far it is my first public  appearance since I came to the USA two years ago. I was quiet all along because I was trying to get myself together making a lot of contacts etc. Thank God that all dreams are beginning to materialize. Well, as you stated I have worked with many of our young artistes in The Gambia before I left including Mbye Gaye and freaky Joe, whom I have been managing since he started singing. All the time that I am here, I have been constantly getting in touch with him on a weekly basis. When the African artist association (a USA based organization involved in the business of promoting African artist) headquartered in  Queens, New York expressed their interest in bringing Gambian Artists to the USA, Freaky  and I discussed it after we were contacted by Dr Jude, the Executive director of the AAA. Since then, I was closely working with him (Dr Jude) putting logistics in place, working on the organization of different shows in the different states in the USA . Dr Jude himself traveled to the Gambia to facilitate their visa process while I stayed in the USA to do the ground work.

Q-We understand you have been and are still busy trying to organize extra shows for them as well as informing the Gambian community to come out and support our own.

Yes sir, I have been very busy working with the Gambian associations across the USA so as to have them (the artist) perform at the various states that have a wide Gambian community. For most of the states have met and confirmed their dates as listed below and flyers are on distribution while few others who got the news lately and developed interest to have them perform but are yet to finalize their dates hopefully by the end of the week(March 27). I must say I am very impressed with the people I am working with. The Sene-Gambian associations in the USA are doing working tirelessly in trying to convince people to come out and support the artists. That is why it is good to be organized and work as a group for the simple fact that two heads are better than one. Initially, we had some shortcomings convincing some people because they don't know about the artists as most of them have been away for long and the Gambian music was not as it is when they left the Gambia , but they got convinced after they got the chance to listen to some sample songs and watch the videos. Pa, we must thank you and the entire onegambia crew for a job well done as the site has contributed so much towards the success of these programmes.

Q-Mbye Gaye sings mbalax(Senegambian popular music) whilst Freaky sings reggae and dance hall. Not only for Gambians but basically every music lover?

That's right and that is why the programme would be very unique in every sense as Freaky shall thrill the reggae,dancehall and r&b fans while Mbye Gaye shall knock down the ndaga and mbalax fans. Both artists are coming with new hot tunes. Get ready to dance to Freaky's new ndaga tunes during the shows. Freaky has been here for almost three weeks now (see below for details of his shows). For Mbye Gaye, preparations are underway to have him here pretty soon .

Q-Could you give a status overview of the already scheduled shows ?

The following states have so far been confirmed. Freaky has already had some club performances in New York (at Kadija club in downtown Manhattan with a Senegalese  artist called Meta ). He has also performed at Queens Club on Peach tree industrial blvd in Atlanta on Saturday march the 25th and he is booked to perform at Goreh night club in Atlanta next Saturday, April 1st. We are to have a radio interview with v103 in Atlanta next week and another interview is scheduled for the first week of April with Ms Sata Secka of Seneweb (coin culturel) which shall be broadcasted on seneweb radio on www.seneweb.com . We shall in the next three weeks have club performances in Atlanta reggae clubs. In the mean time we are also working on recording deals as well as shooting some videos. Our shows targeting the Gambian communities are scheduled as follows.

New york - april15th and July 15th
Shoreline college in seattle - April28th
Seattle washington state - April 29th
Atlanta - may 12th
Maryland - may25th
Atlanta - july4th celebrations

and other states like California , Texas , Maryland   are yet to confirm their dates because of the logistical arrangement involved. Any other state wishing to have him perform you can email us at frekyjoe@hotmail.com or paousman146@yahoo.co.uk or judeawayaway@yahoo.com or call 919-559-4616.

Q-Gradually, opportunities are coming up for our musicians to travel outside of Africa to showcase their talents. Very encouraging to new upcoming home-based musicians, don't you think?

Or yea, And with the talents that our up coming artist are showcasing, there is great hope that the Gambia will soon be very respected in the international scene not only in the side of music but entertainment in general including drama. Pa, I must confess I am very positively surprised with the growing number of Gambian Artists based in the USA . We have the likes of Amie Dibba, Kadiatou Sibi etc. As a matter of fact we are planning on coming up with a powerful one Gambia combination where all US based Gambian artists shall contribute. If anybody is interested, please contact me. We also want to have a combination with AKON. This is exactly what all Gambian artists should try to do when they travel out. Though it is not going to be easy at all but we have to be determined. And on the side of our people (Gambians), we should try to support our artists by attending their shows and buy their CDs. We are the ones who can support and expose them to the outside world and that way Gambia will at least be known for something in the international arena. I just challenge the up coming boys and girls to work harder to make use of their talents and opportunities to the best of their abilities. Do not allow to be used or duped.


Q-A chance for Freaky and Mbye to share their experiences with musician colleagues back home?

that is also right. That would make me borrow the common saying that 'all that glitters is not gold'. For the realities of the west shall be noticed by all and sundry after we all come over blindly thinking  that we are straight for the rest of our lives. So Freaky joe and Mbye Gaye can help lead the rest that have not yet got the opprtunity to travel outside of the Gambia yet. There is a lot of noise that Freaky will not go back to the Gambia after his shows. I am just giving everyone the assurance that they would indeed see him back to the Gambia inshalla after his shows.