02 April 2006 21:16
WAKA J PROMOTION
UKG had the opportunity to
catch up with Waka J to get an insight of the upcoming SeneGambian Awards,
2006. On Saturday’s April 1st interview Waka briefed UKG about
how it all started with Waka J Promotions, and on what to expect in the
awards etc….
UKG have got
another exclusive interview lined up after the awards, make sure you log on
to
www.ukgambians.com for more insight in the man who took the Gambian
promotional industry to another level but for now just lean back and enjoy
this brief interview UKG managed to bring for you
UKG: What is
your view regarding Ukgambians.com being created as a virtual Gambian
Community?
Waka:
UkGambians.com is one of
the greatest ideas I have come across so far within the Gambian
community, we needed something like this for a long time but thanks to
UkGambians who have made this a reality. This is a place where everyone
can have regular contacts with the Gambian Community.
UKG:
When did you start in the entertainment
business?
Waka:
It was in 1984 when I introduced break-dancing back in the Gambia, I
used to have a dancing group called the space invaders who were touring
around entertaining the Gambian audience with various dancing routines
which I choreographed. We used to organise major dancing shows and
competitions, this was when I made a name for myself.
UKG: What geared you
towards the promotion industry?
Waka:
Haven gained a lot of knowledge whilst studying in Sierra Leone and
after the success in the introduction of break-dancing I felt the need
to take on the responsibilities rested on my shoulders since I was the
only talent at the time to take the Gambian promotion industry to
another level. After organising various parties and little promotional
events, I was running a very popular Sunday Summer Jam in a club called
Bantaba, located in kotu where your friend Daddy Ellie used to come and
rave.
Whilst there, I
started bringing popular Senegalese ndaga artist to come and do play
backs every Sunday. From there, one of the biggest events I promoted was
bringing Lemzo Jamano for the first time to the Gambia, to perform at
the Independent Stadium in bakau.
UKG:
What is your most proud achievement?
Waka:
Well, there are three events that I did which are ranked amongst my most
proud achievements a gig at the independence stadium with Youssou Ndour
& Abdul Kabir where I was responsible for the break entertainment and we
turned the stadium upside down. The other one was the show I did with
Lemzo Jamano at the Independence Stadium for the simple fact it was not
a small venue, it’s the stadium we are talking about.
Last but not
least is when I organised the Miss Senegambia UK in 1997& 1998 in which
I managed to bring the likes of Michele Gayle(East Enders), Mark Bright
(England and Sheffield Wednesday football player), General Levy, &
Glammo Kid (dancehall super stars) people who where at the time very
popular in the UK.
UKG: Which other
major artists have you worked with during your career?
Waka:
I have worked with an impressive long list of artists such as Viviane
Ndour, Assane Ndiaye, Thione Secka, Fallou Dieng, Fatou Laobe, Ndongo
Lo, Salam Diallo, Allieu Mbey Nder, Pape Ndiaye Thiopet, Papa Ndiaye
Gewel, Allieu Kasse, Jaliba Kuyateh, Fatou Gewel, Kucha, Thio Mbaye and
Chris Goldfinger who I introduced to the Gambian public.
UKG: Have you
organised any other events?
Waka:
Yes, I have been involved
with many things but just to mention few; designer of the year awards,
summer festival at the independent stadium, and the up coming
SeneGambian 2006 awards, the first ever in the UK.
UKG: What can we
expect in the 2006 SeneGambian awards?
Waka:
It is going to be first of
its kind, a well organised event with the legendary Thione Seck live on
stage with the latest mbalax for the entertainment. During the interval,
awards will be presented to the distinguished individuals and businesses
in recognitions to their contribution and support towards the
SeneGambian community.
Online voting
which is being supervised by UkGambians is ongoing but will be closed a
week before the event. There are also questionnaires being distributed
to those without internet access to give every SeneGambian the
opportunity to cast their votes.
UKG: What inspired
you to organise the awards?
Waka:
I have always been
innovative, paving the way for new developments and ideas and I believe
we Gambians should move to another level. There are many businesses and
individuals who are doing great jobs within our community and need
recognition and there is no better way than presenting awards to them. I
believe this will take us to another level and bring a sense of
togetherness.
UKG: What have
you got for the party people in the summer?
I have couple of
events lined up and their might be a weekly program in the summer and we
all know about the carnival approaching.
UKG: I hope this time
it wont be like the 2005 carnival when people were confused and did not
know where to go because there were two different events happening on
the same night.
Waka:
Normally we the promoters
come together before the carnival to plan and organised for a single big
show but last year that meeting did not take place and everyone ended up
doing their own thing which led to a big confusion within the community.
I personally believe we should put our differences aside when it comes
to the carnival, and come together even it is once every year to
organise a massive gig where guests from all over Europe can come
together and have great fun.
UKG: This is a great
idea, would you be willing to initiate this proposal?
Waka:
I did try last year but
with little success, but I hope we all learned our lessons and I believe
this time we will come to the understanding that it is in our interest
and the interest of the whole senegambian community to have one major
event. The carnival is a massive event in which we can do a lot
of things, for example, organising a carnival week with different
programs during the carnival weekend.
UKG: What is
unique with Waka J Promotions?
Waka:
Waka J made his name in the Gambia before coming to the UK and I started
the whole promotional business. I am very versatile in the sense that I
started as a dancer, DJ then moved to promotion. Waka J is a man with
style and up to date with fashion, most importantly very creative and
diverse in the promotional business. In short, I am not only a promoter
but a showbiz man.
UKG would like to
thank Waka J for taking his time to talk to us and we are looking
forward to the next lined up interview.
interviewed
by Saul Frazer
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