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updated: 30 December 2007 14:58
In
April 1998, Maslaa bi, a mbalax, salsa, dancehall, rap-group was formed in the
heart of Banjul. The capital of the Gambia. This 4 man group created a style,
reminiscent of old cultural songs and innovatively added the present day mbalax
/salsa, dancehall beat with
local chorus rap. This unique style has left the
crew in a world of its own.
Maslaa bi is one of the most outstanding groups in the Gambian music scene.
Their hit song in the debut album “Merro” – a home made version of
“Guantanamera” – won the Gambian rap-award for the “best single” in July 1999 (www.africanhiphop.com).
The album titled “Bu Nui Merro” recorded in The Gambia and released in 1999
featured guest artists like Mass Lowe (backing vocals), Ahmed Choin, Agata
Colley, Mustapha Faye from Youssou N'Dours band (arranger) and Thio M'baye
(percussion).
In 1999, they were invited as guest artists to perform at the Miss ECOWAS beauty
contest in The Gambia. They also performed alongside Youssou N'Dour at the
Senegalese summer outing, as Guest artists at the invitation of the Senegalese
National TV. Masla bi have staged their own shows and also opened shows for
artists like Baaba Maal, Daar j, Frankie Paul, Lucky Dube to name a few. They
also produced several video clips which gained a national attention in The
Gambia and Senegal.
Maslaa bi’s second album “Waxtaalnal ko” was released in 2001. It was ranked as
one of the most ever sold albums in the Gambia at that time. The single
‘waxtaanal ko' added several miles to the group’s speedy journey to stardom. It
has a little spice of mbalax, a full spice of Latin American calypso and rumba.
It was the promotional single for that second Album which was recorded in
Senegal. Both albums (BU NUI MERRO & WAXTAANAL KO) were produced by Soul Sounds
- Jollof Promotion in UK.
During their 3rd anniversary celebration Maslaa bi released a new single “Duman”
which is a wollof version of Shaggy’s “It wasn't me” song. One of their singles
“Music” was featured in the “One Gambia” compilation album produced by the Suns
of Light which gave an overview of Gambian music of the new millennium.
In 2002, Masla bi went on a tour of the UK and have since been very busy working
hard to develop the band into a Big Time international group with their own
Studio and Label. And five years of silence BU NUI MERRO PRODUCTION Masla
bi's very own, PROUDLY PRESENTS Their NEW
Single "ALEL"
(WEALTH). Out Now!
and can be downloaded at
www.myspace.com/maslaabigambia.
Watch out for the Album coming soon in 2008.
The album was recorded at Maslaa bi studios in Nottingham. It has no doubt,
taken them a while to finish their third album but taking a look at all they
have managed to achieved during this time vindicates their silence.
'We have being working not only for Senegambia but the international community
as well. We know it has taken a bit longer than the fans expected but the boys
have been working to be more professional in the music scene' Says the boys.
Maslaa bi has being in studio with Mustapha faye of SUPER ETOILE. A well known
producer who adds the Extra spice to their music. It was Mustapha who made the
first two albums produced by Soul Sounds - Jollof Promotion and luckily for the boys,
Mustapha has done the third one with them, but this time with their own BU NUI MERRO PRODUCTION.
Album out in 2008.
Arrangement: Mustapha faye
Vocals/Rap/'Taasu': by Nas, Tonton Bala ,EL Pacco and DJ Gunman,
kora: Jalikebba Suso and
Percussionist: Karim mbaye (Cho mbaye's brother).
'The message we've got for our fans and the entire music industry is that:
Maslaa bi is still with all 4 original members and that shows that we are highly
committed to our music. We owed it to our fans'
'we are still together and it's going to be better this time. We are working
on an international project for our third album to be marketed internationally.
All other promoters are welcome if they want to work with us. As for the fans we
are always going to give you our best. '
contact info: gadasound@hotmail.com or
jobizshowbiz@hotmail.co.uk |
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