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Marion Georgestone is the newest female sensation in Gambia’s music scene; holding on, strong and determined to hit stardom. Some would liken her to that flock emulating the Destiny’s Child sub-genre of hiphop, which Beyonce is the reigning queen, but those who have listened to her mellow reggae tunes would tag her Marcia Griffith’s protégée. The track ‘Hold On’, was actually advising for that break until she’s finally hatched. It’s the reggae tune you would bet your last dime on, believing so much that she’s the next Jamaica’s lovers rock princess.

Born April 20 1988, Marion, whose father and two elder sisters continue to exhibit inherited musical skills via gospel style, began to sing from the age of 5. She was groomed in various church choirs. At 16 she formed a duo with childhood friend Florence Kemokai and they were called the Soulmate Sistaz. Their only single, ‘Credit Card’, opened another page in Gambia’s female singing. Recorded at West Africa’s leading studio, Yellowgate Studios, the song’s upmarket appeal established Soulmate Sistaz as the voice to chase. Marion, with her songwriting skills and high pitch harmonic voice, was in demand for every meaningful project. Eventually, in May 2006, Africell, Gambia’s private telecommunication company, signed her for a one-year contract, to do voice-over on the radio and television jingles of their products and services. 

Pitching tent at Bulldoff Studio, where the late Pa Modou Jammeh (MJ) has experimented his production skills, Marion recorded songs that crossed the borders of hiphop, reggae, fused-mbalax and other genres. ‘Hold On’, one of the exceptional tunes in the Smiling Coast Rhythm, has proved the extreme versatility of the multitalented teenage singer.

Whilst in London, for an international six-week music training (sponsored by Africell), Marion Georgestone has pepped up her zeal of releasing a debut album as soon and shooting her videos in London to meet the high standards accepted in the big market. “Am so impressed by the feedback I get here; I have been given so many good names and credits, especially after listening to my song ‘Hold On’, some say I sound very much like an imminent star and others say I’ve got the pitch to hit the limelight,” she says. “I’ve made up my mind that when I come back early next year I’ll finish my album and shoot a couple of videos here in London.”

Marion in ‘Sunshine’
‘Sunshine is a new song set to break into the British R&B scene. The video shoot of the yet-to-be released single confirmed the fact of the song been tipped for imminent success. “It’s a great song and I bet it will go places,” remarks the director of Northbound Production where the clip was shot. “It has the appeal, and with the quality of its video clip I think this song will be a hit.”Sunshine was recorded with that intent of delivering a subtle tune to help lighten-up love and life. Its lyrics explain that feeling through the exclusive voices of three music students who met at London-based Point Blank Music School.

Gambian-born Marion Georgestone, British-born Elliot James and Victoria Adesanya chose to call themselves EVM. “This debut single is like a test for us, we hope it brings a true sunshine into our career,” says Elliot. “We do our individual singing but as a new trio we want to give it all that it takes.”

Yankuba Jarju of Czonex Productions shot the video. “I think it’s a song billed for success, this is one of the reasons I’m giving it the best I can to get an excellent video out of it,” says Yankuba. “Through green screen and other conventional techniques, we’ll deliver a high standard clip.”