Renowned Gambian musician SING-A-TEH aka Freaky Joe has completed his tour of the us in what could be described as a "very successful" tour in his own words. In this interview with OneGambia, Sing-a-teh speaks about the various factors that contributed to the general success of the tour and his plans both immediate and longterm.

Q.Been in the US a number of months and gave several performances. What is your general feeling of the tour, would you consider it a success? 

Greetings in the name of Allah, the most high from whom we get all  that we have and to him we must return all glory. My tour of the united states is indeed a success as I have achieved alot. I have staged nothing less than  20 shows in various cities ranging from Schools, Halls, Night Clubs, Stadiums etc. I also had nothing less than 6 radio interviews and 5 Newspaper interviews as well.

Together with  my manager, Pa Ousman Joof, I was able to establish a company called Singateh's Inc which aims at providing easy and convenient access to my performances, Cd's, DVDs, T-shirts, photos, in addition to artist management, video shooting and editing, a mobile sound system,chair and generator rental, logo, business card, letterhead and website designing, a recording studio, fax and photocopying services etc.

I also registered with the American federation of musicians and the American Artist Association.

I built 2 websites (one for promoting my music only and the other one for selling my products and service). 

I have released  and copy righted my first CD and and its promotional DVD with the American Library of congress in the united states ,.

I shot new videos and also recorded a new album  which I am planning on releasing in December by God's grace.

With all these achievements, pa I think the tour was indeed a success

Q.this is your first tour outside of Africa , Would you say  the tour has offered you the chance to learn, improve and possibly become a bigger musician?

Oh yes, I would not hesitate to say yes at all. Apart from having met a good number of people from whom I learnt a lot, I have also learnt a few things from the performances as weel. America is a country that has every kind of people that are involved in different things and with my area of interest which is music, I have met a good number of musicians and learnt so much from them. Not only music but even people's way of life are completely different with ours in Africa as the different cultures in America are inter twined giving it a unique style and way of livelihood. In short I have really learnt alot

Q.Did you face any difficulties during the tour and were you successful in dealing with them?

Yes sir, I did face some difficulties during the tour. For the fact that most of the elderly people in the USA left Gambia when the music was very dull, it was very difficult for them to accept me at the beginning but when they came to my shows or after they listened to my CD and watched my DVD they all changed that notion instantly and even requested for me to perform again in their states and some even had to travel from state to state just to attend my shows.

Another problem I faced was the fact that I was trying to kill few birds with one stone simultaneously. By that I mean in addition to my shows, I was in studio recording my new album, I was shooting some videos and also trying to familiarize myself with the American music scene, having series of meetings,consultations etc at the same time. In short, I had a lot on my plate so I just had to prioritize.

Another problem was the fact that my trip was so prompt that I came alone from the Gambia leaving the rest of my crew back. Except for few instances, my manager Pa Ousman Joof was more or less serving as my promoter, cameraman, stage coordinator and programme coordinator as he was representing the African Artist Association at all the shows we had in the different state. Thanks to Dr Jude and the AAA members who helped in some of the shows. Our Gambian Djs based in the USA are also great.The likes of DJ Sheikh Ndong (CHATTI ATL), DJ king Solomon (atl), DJ Sambou, DJ Waw and crew( new york ) DJ Sheikh ( Maryland ) DJ gigsi, DJ Ndupa, DJ Alagie Kinteh (Seattle). Saidou's photography(atl), Njanko's production( Maryland ) helped a lot as well.

Q.What few things contributed to the success of your tour, in your opinion?

With the help and guidance of Allah I most say after the prayers of my parents.I will be very unfair to give glory to anyone at this point other than my manager Pa Ousman Joof who on behalf of the African Artist association made everything happen. All bookins of my shows were handled by him as well as Studio arrangement and bookings. He dedicated a lot of his valuable time and resources driving me to various meetings, performances and appointments. He is indeed a hero and I am so thankful to him. All connections and contacts came through his efforts and dedication towards the African Artist Association. As said early Saidou's photography in Atlanta did an extremely good job in the production of my CD and DVD production, taking me professional photos and promoting me during their programmes. DJ Solomon who edited my video and promoted me greatly. I was always happy to have him and DJ Sheikh (chatti atl) back me while I performed. The suns of light as usual made me happy again as they have given me the quality recording I needed for my next album. Big up to the entire Sun land family-Bilal, Tach and Hakim.The Gambian associations across the USA have also contributed greatly.Thanks to the New york Gambian Youth Association, the Seattle Gambian Association, the DC soccer club, the Atlanta July 4Th committee( AGERA) and all other Gambian committees whom we did not have the chance to work with. Thank you to Mr Momodou Sawaneh of the New Millennium Computers, Alhagie Kinteh and the Jassey group in Seattle and of course Sheriff Kora and the entire www.3degreemedia.com staff for a job well done in creating me a wonderful and professional website( www.singateh.com ).Like I said earlier, I had a lot of newspaper and radio interviews, they have also contributed so much in making my tour a success as they created the opportunity for those that did not have the chance to attend my shows to know about me. Thanks to the entire staff of radio tamtam( www.seneweb.com ), wclk 91.9 FM in atl, wrfg 89.3 FM in atl, kbcs radio in Seattle and big up to the www.freedomnewspaper.com , www.allgambian.net  , www.thegambiaecho.com , www.gambianow.com , www.observer.gm and of course Pa Njie yourself and the entire www.onegambia.com .Thank you for being a promoter and an adviser to me even before the tour. Finally my fellow Artist who backed me during my shows or who I featured in my album. Big up to Fullani from Sierraleone/Maryland, Aju from Nigeria/Atlanta, Ras coffie from Guyana/atl, Mukiluv from atl, Messenger sealer from Jamaica/atl, Chess kan Saikou Darboe from Gambia/ Seattle and of course Amie Dibba from the Gambia/ Minnesota. A special Thank You to my dancers-Nyillan Fye(maryland),Yamu Cham(new york),Mary Taal(north carolina,Yam Jah(atlanta),Aji Ndong, Fatima, and sister(atlanta) Fatou Dibba(seattle)and of course those who helped in a very special way such as Rohey Samateh(maryland),Musa Jobe and Fat Jamba(new york),the Joof family in atlanta(pa ous family),Saidy Ceesay(seattle),Dr jude family in connecticut. and everybody elso who contributed to the success of my tour. My team on the ground in the Gambia too have contributed so much to the success of my tour. They have been working so hard with Dj Pieces and Aziz Williams in making arrangements for my welcome reception and return from the USA tour.Nuff respect to Mba Singhateh (ground manager), lamin Jr Saine (sound engineer), Habs bai faal ( Stage coordinator),Ousman Jarju (promoter) and everybody else. I can't really remember all

Q.which of your performances would you consider the most successful and why?

That will be difficult to judge as all the shows were good and successful but I will consider my May 26Th- ald / Maryland  and July 4Th Atlanta   performances as the most successful as they gave a wider number of people from all over the world the opportunity to see me perform. These are annual events which is usually attended by Gambians from all over the world ranging from Europe , Africa , Asia and other states in the USA . Nonetheless, I enjoyed my Seattle show more.

Q.What is your take on Gambian attitude towards Gambian music and musicians. Any improvements?

Yes sir, I think it is positive.It was very hard really for our people to accept us both within and outside of the Gambia, but it is really improving.Just like I said earlier, people were so reluctant to my music at the beginning just because they did not know but now I am usually surprise to be driving on the streets and hear my music in someone's car or even during Gambian programmes.It takes a while for one to get use to good music but as soon as they do, it becomes irresistible. I will just thank you ( www.onegambia.com ) and www.gambianow.com for your excellent job in promoting us. You guys are creating a great impact especially in the Gambians abroad. Most of them were really surprised about me. I sold 2000 copies of my CD and DVD during the tour. It will be better next time I know.they never knew we have such talents in the Gambia . So it is getting better.I only urge my fellow artist not to give up. We will soon get there inshalla.

Q.You have recorded a number of new songs, will these be released as singles soon or should we expect your second album any time soon?

Yes sir,i have recorded almost a whole new album with the same studio I used in the Gambia that recorded my first Album-The Suns of light. I am planning on releasing this new album in December. I just have few more songs I want to feature some local Artists in the Gambia and that will be it after which I start promoting the album. So fans be set to get a copy in December

Q. Which of the songs in your 4 DA GAMBIA Album would you consider a hit song?

Well Pa,The album title 4 DA GAMBIA featuring Jaliba Kuyateh and Sambou Suso  as you said is a very heat track that not only Gambians but everybody else like.I have staged 2 shows in which people cried while I sing the song.The Senegalese online radio station -radio tam tam play this track on a constant basis. People like all the voices on the track.So thanks to Jaliba and Sambou.

The other track that gets everybody on their feet is the track 8 on the CD-GIVE ME DA LUV. Pa Modou of Bul doff Studio in Kanifing has done an extremely good job. That is the only track in the album which was not created by the suns of light. Everybody indeed like this song so much so that I had to do a remix of it  and shot a video of it which my manager will send to you soon. So the other studios in the Gambia are good as well. Pa Modou of Bul doff, Yellow gates studios, TJ, Hi Tech etc keep up the good work.

Q.You have set up your personal websites( www.singateh.com  ) and ( www.singatehsinc.com  ) and have set up a company together with your Manager. Do you think you will have the time to concentrate on your music whilst running the sites and the company.

Well pa I have a full team of dynamic people both within and outside of the Gambia who are very determined and dedicated and love what they do.In addition,I am partnering with a lot of individuals, companies and institutions within and outside of the Gambia to make both the company and the websites a success.My websites for instance, are created and hosted by www.3degreemedia.com   (Texas-USA) and Mr Alhagie Kinteh and the jassey group(Seattle- USA).Both companies are working closely with my Manager-Pa Ousman and my other crew members in the USA in managing the websites..

And with regards to my company Pa Ousman Joof (the CEO) in the USA is going to handle any international contact and correspondence while Mba Kebba Singhateh handles the local issues in The Gambia. We shall be headquartered in Atlanta , Ga , USA but shall nonetheless have sub branches and reps the world over. For now we concentrating in USA and the Gambia . Our aim is to provide easy and convenient access to my performances, Cd's, DVDs, T-shirts, photos, in addition to artist management, video shooting and editing, a mobile sound system,chair and generator rental, logo, business card, letterhead and website designing, a recording studio, fax and photocopying services etc.As far as the company is concern, we are already partnering with www.3degreemedia.com , Waw International of new york (DJ waw and team) who have provided us with a complete mobile set that will be stationed in our Gambia Branch. African spice complex ( Mr saffi young Manneh New Jeswang- The Gambia) have printed T-shirts for us as well and the rest of the products and materials we have already bought and shipped to the Gambia which shall be managed by my team on the ground.Any interested party who want to collaborate with us can contact my manager. Therefore, I personally will not be directly involved in running either the company or websites except in the area of artist management as I shall use my connections and popularity to produce and promote upcoming artists within and outside of the Gambia as I said before. Thus I don't think either the company or the websites will have a negative affect on my music.

Q. We understand you will soon leave for the Gambia so any words to the Gambian communities and non-Gambians who contributed to the overall success of your tour and all those that attended your performances

I just want to thank everybody who contributed to the success of my tour. I am very grateful to you all and assure you of my best all the time, I shall surely represent the Gambia to higher heights. i apologize to everybody if I have said or done anything wrong during the tour( to err is human). I also want to tell my fans in the states we could not go to this year to expect me next time i come. I thank the American government and people via the American Embassy in the Gambia for giving me the chance to travel to their beautiful country. I love you all and shall always represent. For more information about me or constant update, log into my site at www.singateh.com and subscribe to my mailing list and you shall be automatically updated about my upcoming events,developments and achievements

Q.How soon can your fans in the Gambia expect to see your perform for them?

As I grant you this interview, I am packing up my things to go to the airport in the next 5 hours. My flight is at 11:28pm and shall arrive in the Gambia at 12.30 pm tomorrow(Monday July 24Th 2006).I have a big entourage welcoming me at the airport including the Secretary of State for Youth and Sports, Secretary of State for Tourism,the O/C National Drug Squad, 2 cultural groups,Students, family, friends and fans. let the fans expect me.I have my first show of "Singateh's return from the USA tour 2006" next Thursday July 27Th (at waw night club) and Friday July 28Th (at totties night club).My T-Shirts,CD AND DVD will be on sale at the airport and during the shows.let the fans come and see me in a different style,new tunes new styles in every way.that's how we do it.Represent.

THANK YOU FOR GRANTING US THIS INTERVIEW

Singateh-- Thank you sir