UkGambains.com have had the opportunity to talk to one of Gambia’s hottest talent. In a brief interview, the man behind Nancy Nanz, Gambia’s first ever female Hip Hop and R & B star, was pleased to answers some questions for the UkGambians audience. His plans for the historic tobaski celebrations were revealed…..

You are being called Sisqo and 2-Rayz, which one of them is your artist name?

My artist name is 2-Rayz, I have being called and known for Sisqo, because it was the name I used when I was working for Radio 1 in Gambia

I have heard a lot about you but for those who have not, could you be kind enough to briefly tell them who 2-Ray is and his achievements so far?

I have worked for Radio 1 Fm for 5 Years. I have established a company whereby I promote and produce artists as well as write, produce and act films. I produced the fist ever Gambian female hip-hop and R and B star, Nancy Nanz and have organized the famous Miss Princess Gambia, which will be happening annually and the Easter carnival. I am currently running my own Web TV and radio show. I acted a lot of films and scenarios in the Gambia and recently appeared in a Christmas series for The Norwegian National TV.

This is an impressive list of achievements but where does your specialty lies, is it writing, singing, acting, being a DJ or all at once?

Honestly bro, it’s hard to say I swear, because any of the above I do its like am the only one that can do it. I believe God have rewarded me with bunches of talents. For the singing part, I am soon heading behind the scene and just concentrate on writing songs for up-coming artists and producing them. I am the Gambian Dream.

Very impressive indeed, but how did it all started?

It all started after performing for the Lend a hand society in one of their fashion shows in the Jama hall were the MC was The Managing Director of Radio 1 FM. He liked ma flows and my style and later invited me to his Radio Station and got me started. I used to love broadcasting and this was since when I was a kid. I used to play with a small radio and pretended that I was in radio station dishing out requests.

Which major artists have you worked with during your career so far?

I worked with Viviane, Assane Njie, Pap Joof, Titi, Ma Penda, Aja Maisa Kura, Abdou Guiteh Secka, Assan Mboobe, Assan Gaye who is my close friend. I staged him in the Gambia on several occasions, Jaliba Kuyateh and other top Gambian stars as well as Nancy Nanz whom am producing now.

As a Gambian Promoter, do you feel the responsibility of taking the Gambian music industry to another level?

Ofcourse. I can be proud to say I am among the pioneers of taking the Gambian music up in the sky level because I had a special show just for them each week. I used to have a new group or artist to talk about their music life, latest developments, hitches on the way and their needs to get to the international Level. This contributed greatly in the development of the Gambian Music.

As you probably understand taking the Gambian music industry to another level is a huge task and involved different factors, what do you think the Gambian artists and audience should do more to make this a smooth ride?

I believe the Gambian artists should produce songs that are educative and entertaining. The sound quality is our number one priority and the promotional approach is another thing. Every artist needs a personal promoter, to get you known internationally. Gambians need to support the hero's, buy their albums, listen to their music and attend their shows. They also need to give them encouragements and not discourage them. The promoters in Europe only bring other artist to their shows; why not include the Gambian artists in their packages.

We are all counting down to the special “tobaski”, with xmas, new Years and tobaski all within two weeks.... what have you got lined up for us in Gambia?

The Gambia is going to welcome its first ever all in one festive moment and it is the talk of the world. I am coming with the first ever All White Party on 26 December, Day after x-mas (Boxing Day) where Destiny's will be decorated with the x-mas tress, flowers, rebons and balloons.

New Years Day, 1 January 2007, 2-Rayz is going to land The Semester Flight Show in the heart of Destiny's. Big DJ's from all over Europe will be dressed as co-pilots. Assan Gaye (Thione 2). The man with the golden voice and behind the famous hits "Mandu, Thiappali Bong Bong and Gambia" is going to trill the passengers of the flight.

Amie Dibba, the newly Crown Miss Gambia U.S.A and a famous R & B and Hip Hop artist in America is also going to thrill the audience to the maximum level. The Club will be decorated like a flight, with Air hostesses and cool cabin crews.

Giving you all a quality service is what we seek to do for our audience. Tall the above mentioned events and artists are all geared towards making Gambians abroad feel their stay in the Gambia as one of the coolest and most enjoyable moment in their life. Make it a date and don’t be late. The UkGambians crew will be there to witness this much talked about up event.

UkGambians.com would like to take this opportunity to thank 2-Rayz for taking part is this interview.

Interviewed by Saul Frazer

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