21 August 2007 21:29


UKG have once again been in contact with the ever popular Assane Ndiaye to bring to you an exclusive. Amongst the discussion was the reason for his late career start, his connection with the Gambian audience as well as Gambian artists…..

Assane, you started singing at a very late age compared to most musicians, what were you doing before you started singing?

I was in school studying the Quran and Arabic. During school holidays though I used to sing traditions “kasack” songs during events and at that stage I was just doing it for fun. As I started to become somewhat successful in my singing my parents sent me to join the army. This was to keep me away from singing but I had generated too much interest to let it go, so as soon as I finished in the army I went straight into music again.

What motivated you the most to defy your parents and started singing again?

During the time I was in school, I had a brother called Ma Penda Seck, Thione’s younger brother, who was singing at that time. One of his songs called “jegge ma gaye jobe” had a huge influence in me, I totally fell in love with that song and it has had a major influence in my singing career. I used to walk a long distances just to listen to my brothers’ play this song in the clubs.

Was your first album released in 1996?

Yes, that was my first solo album. But I started having singles in 1992. My debut was in one of Thione’s many albums called Papa. In there I had a single called “yaye nyanal ma”, then in 1993 I released another one called “kilifa” a song dedicated to Thione Secka followed by my debut album in 1996.

The latest album called “Xarit” is your 8th album to date; if you look back at all of them which single one are you most proud of?

It will have to be the one I released in 1999,(name of the album) that album war far from an easy ride. It was during the early stages of my career and I had many doubters and some people lost their jobs because of me. When it finally came out I proved everyone wrong and the sales were magnificent. It was as if the fans knew the struggle I went through and therefore showered their support. This album gave me greatest satisfaction to date.

What do you consider to be the biggest challenge facing the music industry today?

 For me it’s the hardship of getting instruments, a big artist like me has to hire instruments for my shows. Not many groups in Senegal can afford to buy their own instruments. The other challenge we are facing today is piracy and I don’t think the people doing these copies knows exactly how it affects us. When we release cassettes in Senegal, the following week its all over the internet and around Europe being copied. This is a great loss to us in terms of revenue generation.

We are used to seeing you perform during the Notting Hill Carnival now a days, what is your view regarding this?

It seems like I am part of the carnival these days and I want to keep it like that. I am very proud to be coming over each year performing for the ever growing crowds all the time. I am very grateful to be given this opportunity by Njok Malik. He is a great partner to work with and always honours our agreements. 

We are even hearing from people that a carnival without Assane Ndiaye is unthinkable, does these kinds of comments surprise you at all?

It does happen that am sometimes the only artist around during the carnival, but it was a different case this year. I am pleased that I always manage to pull a large crowd and get to meet different people from previous years, as well as play different music from those played in previous years. I admire my fans a lot because without them I would not be where I am today hence I always seek to give my best and entertain them to the maximum.

What is the highlight of your career so far?

The achievement so far has been the fact that am able to progress with the same people I started the “ngewel” band with. We are like a one big family, we all meet once a month at one members house, our wives will get together and prepare a nice meal for all of us.We are all down to earth individuals and get a long very well, I could not have asked for a better group.

Looking into the Gambia music industry, do you have a favourite within the Gambia artists?

I like most of the Gambia artists but as you already know Gambia and Senegal are all the same. We are the only two countries that speaks Wolof , so to me I see it as one country rather than two different countries.

Musa Ngum once had a hit single, collaboration with Thione Secka called “Ndakaru” I used to enjoy that song when I was a kid and still does. I also enjoy listening to Mam Tamsir, Mass Lo, and all the up coming artist including Yusupha Ngum. I now consider myself to be part of Gambia.

What is your relationship with Yahya Jammeh, I believe you have a song dedicated to him?

He is a very good friend who likes my music. When he was celebrating his 40year birthday I was invited to Caninglai where I performed in front of all his guests and everyone was pleased. I am not into politics, we are just good friends.

Which of the Gambian artists if any, would you be interested in having collaboration with?

If you look at my band today, I have a Gambian in the group. She is a dancer and has been featured in my latest video called “xarit”. These are some of the things am looking to continue to help the upcoming artists.

I am very grateful to all my fans, they are the reason am doing all these, without them I would not be here. If I could, I would visit every single one of them. That is how much I appreciate their support. I also want to thank Njok Malik who have been great. We are good friends and business partners. He was the first who introduced me to the UK audience in year 2000 and things have been progressing ever since.

UkG would like to take this opportunity to thank Assane Ndiaye for taking his time to conduct this interview, we are wishing him all the best.

Interviewed by: Saul Frazer