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…
DR. OLUGANDER AND THE PROMISED LAND CREW
Dr.Olugander whose real name is Omar Ndong was born and brought up in The Gambia. This young,popular, talented and versatile Gambian musician started singing at a tender age through the inspiration of his grandfather who was a great cultural musician in his hay days. A fond lover of the music of popular Jamaican stars like Cocoa Tea and Capleton, he felt he can use music to bring great changes in the life of young people with his own original style.
In many ways the background of this hard core, soft spoken singer could be compared with that of many Jamaican singers but his professional manner of conducting his career is what set him above the peak. He is flexible and full of confidence in his music. His voice is sweet, smooth and rich of original qualities. His language is excellent; this made and still make the people of his nation to admire him so much.
The title Doctor(Dr) was given to him by his fans who regard him as a musical doctor. The name ‘Olugander' came as a result of his love for the male goose the ‘ GANDER ' which is his favorite animal. Thus, Dr Olugander, the musical Doctor whose favorite pet is the Gander .
In October 1998 , he formed the Promised Land Crew with his colleague Capricon. Their first video release was the song called ‘Babylon Rule' from the their debut album entitled ‘Too Late'., Capricon quitted the music scene in 2001 to join the Islamic brotherhood called ‘Markash' after which the name of the group was changed to Dr.Olugander and the Promised Land Crew with the support of a group of female choir singers from the St. Charles Parish in Faji Kunda, The Gambia.
Their first T V appearance was very impressive. It surprisingly offered them a deal to record an album at one of the Gambia 's leading recording studio, Yellow Gates.
During the 2001 presidential elections, the Independent Electoral Commission contracted him to educate the voters on the need for free and fair elections. He has also sang a series of songs on Malaria and HIV/AIDS, Africa 's major Killer diseases.
Dr.Olugander is regarded as the cultural reggae ambassador of the country.He is among the few local artists who are very original in their music. He is originally a reggae singer but versatility has enabled him to produce a variety of music in his debut album, the newest of which is Afro-manjago, track called ‘Cherie'.
His stage performances are always massive and thrilling and this can even be confirmed by the Gambian Secretary of State for Youths and Sports,Hon. Samba Faal,who once attended one of his shows at Wellingara Cinema Hall in the suburbs of Serrekunda, the largest town in The Gambia.
With only a single album in the market, he now owns his own record label Gander 's productions. This young innovative Gambian musician has also established a movement geared towards promoting unity and understanding among his colleagues.
It is called the ‘Black Art Inspiration Movement'. A Pan-African organization that is gaining a great momentum in The Gambia", he once told WHAT'S ON 'a column in the Daily Observer edition of Sunday Observer.
Dr.Olugander highly respects his fans and this is why he dedicated a song in his ‘Pumak Aids' album for them. In a newspaper interview he said, '"with out my fans I will not obviously be what I am. I respect every body who listens to my sounds and promote it".
Already some international promoters abroad have expressed their interest to work with him. Most of them appreciate him because of the messages and the African beats in his songs. One of his new songs entitled ‘World Injustice' is featured on a ‘OneGambia vol1' compilation released in the Swedish market. From 2001 to date Dr. Olugander and The promised Land Crew have played so many shows and performed in festivals both in The Gambia and Senegal including annual performances at the ‘Jakoi Banga' cultural festival in Casamance , Senegal , Roots Homecoming Festival in The Gambia. Dr. Olugander and The Promised Land Crew has shared stage and played alongside big names in The Senegambia music scene including Youssou Ndour, Oumar Pene and Viviane Ndour, to name a few. The group is now working on their second Album.
