BIOGRAPHY
OF THE GAMBIA'S TOP TALENTED SINGER.OMAR NDONG AKA DR.OLUGANDER. DR.
OLUGANDER AND THE PROMISED LAND CREW,THE GAMBIA,WEST AFRICA 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 today.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 international and Senegambia music scene
including Youssou Ndour, Oumar Pene and Viviane Ndour,Beresh
Hammond,buju Banton,Junior Kelly,Frankie Paul, to name a few.
The group is now working on their second Album Entitled 'Little
Gambia'Which is expected to be out in the market in April 2007.The
little Gambia track,is a track dedicated to the Gambia and friends of
the Gambia.Emphasis based on the geographical settings of the Gambia,the
river,edcation and Gambian culture,the dishes,from 'Benachine' 'Yassa' 'Mbahal'
'Supa Kanja''Domoda' 'Chue Dewterr' etc.It will be available
internationally. They are currently on Promotional tour of the Schools.
CONTACT:GANDER'S PRODUCTIONS THE GAMBIA. Email: drolugander@hotmail.com
plcduo@yahoo.com Our contacts are 0220 980 1951 /7033584/9834552
www.gandersproductions.4t.com[website]
www.onegambia.com/www.gambiantalent.com
