Probably one of the smallest countries in Africa both in size and population, The Gambia can boast of a rich and diverse music culture owing to a multi ethnic and cultural society... More…
Lamin Conta A.K.A. LC the Illest
Lamin Conta A.K.A. LC the Illest was born on December 15 1983 in Banjul .
From an early stage his family saw his love for music. At the age of 8, LC climbed the podium at the Independent Stadium in Bakau when his uncle, the famous Gambian reggae artist, Demba Conta was on stage. His performance on stage was loved by the audience and ever since he has seen the stage as his home.
In1989 his father Mamadi Conta, left The Gambia for Sweden with a promise to take his family there as soon as possible. Years of struggle and hard work made it possible in 1996 for Mamadi to take his two sons Lamin and Demba Conta to Stockholm , Sweden . When in Sweden LC´s love for music only grew with strength and within a few years he started writing and producing his own songs. But that was only the start. He sees himself as a true hip-hop artist and those were the right years to blow up as one.
LC soon had a lot of friends and fans, and started several groups with friends, performing all over Stockholm , winning contest after contest of hip-hip competition. The most recognized group, INT , shaped by 8 guys took Stockholm by storm and it looked like they would be the next hit group to come up on the charts.
Sadly, all members were not as dedicated so the group separated. With inspiration from artists like 2pac, Nas and Notorious BIG aka Biggi, he kept fighting for his music knowing fully well that he could make it as long as he believed in himself.
Lamin Conta still worked a lot with one other member from INT and Madness, and together they came out with some real bangers for the audience. But mostly LC thought of a solo career which he could mold and shape as he would want it.
“I am already known in Stockholm for my hardcore rap, which started spreading my music out of the country traveling a lot to both Paris and London ,” he said.
In London , as always, people flocked around him, wanting to hear more of his ill beats and rhymes and with as many struggling teens, he hanged in the hood where underground hip hop was a strong influence in many youth's lives.
After several problems with the police he fled the country as soon as he had the chance and went to Paris , France , where he met up with his friend and talented underground hip hop artist, Fainel. Together they kept the struggle for money alive and at the same time tried to find time for the studio when ever they could. A few months later he came back to Stockholm , Sweden , with recorded songs in his pocket, rhymes in his head and experience for life.
Being young and careless, he kept the money-struggle alive by being involved with drugs and criminals. His family opposed his way of living which resulted into him frequently changing his home by going from one friend to the other to find a roof over his head.
In 2007, he found peace in his soul and made peace with his family by dropping criminal acts and drug abuse behind him and looking forward to all that life still had to bring for him, and geared up his attempts to spread his music.
Intrigued by artists like Akon and Hakim, coming out to strongly represent their African roots, LC is once again ready to take his music to the next level. “I am determined to make it worldwide and with love from my family in Sweden, England, France, USA and Gambia as well as the professional producers and artists that I work with,” said the young Gambian upcoming Hip-Hop Star” he noted.
He knows fully well that it is only a matter of time before the world will know his story.
