In a sustained effort to scale up its menu in harmony with pace and time, 4 Seasons Fried Chicken Restaurant, The Gambia’s premier restaurant, has now introduced char-grilled, beef and chicken brochette’s. This is yet another addition to the range of choices available at what many consider to be among the country’s finest culinary outfits.

Under the guidance of celebrity chef Kebba Bojang, the award-winning restaurant continues to endeavour to enable the food loving public experience culinary adventure of a lifetime as can be evidently traced to their innovative menu.

Noted food professional, Kebba Bojang, in an exclusive interview with this paper highlighted that the focus of his highly regarded restaurant is on customer satisfaction, consistency of style and quality.

‘We consider it necessary to always bolster up our already comprehensive menu so as to meet the growing demands of the clientele. Regular up-dates of the menu just add additional spice to our already spicy menu as people need to be at liberty to make wide-ranging choices,’ said he.

A popular night hotspot where a delightful buzz abounds, from hospitable and attentive waiters to diners lingering around, 4 Seasons’ latest step in widening its innovative menu came hot on the heels of the introduction of grilled fish to its food-list.

4 Seasons boss told Entertainment that he is so impressed with the level of public interest in their foods that they’re poised to deliver more.

African artistes expected in Banjul for awareness creation

About 18 artistes from the Africa region are expected to fly into The Gambia to stage concerts about child rights and welfare issues.

According to news reaching Entertainment, members of the Artists United for Rap in Africa (AURA) will descend on Banjul on 22 May to stage five performances at various locations of the country with a view to raising awareness on child rights and welfare matters.

In an interview with Entertainment, Ebou Gaye, Manager of Africa Rise Youth Scheme and Egalitarian, a member of AURA, disclosed that the artists will come to The Gambia on 22 May and that the visit will last till June 1st.

“ They will stage five free concerts in the country. The first concert will be held on 24 May in Kanilai. On 28 May, AURA members will go to Brikama where they will stage concert for the audience there. This will be followed by another concert at Buffer Zone on May 30. There will be another free concert in Banjul on 31 May,” said the duo.

AURA, under the auspices of PLAN International, was founded in Dakar on 27 February 2005, to fight for the rights of children of Africa, promote African music and to create unity among Africans.  

A reggae-dancehall line-up entitled “Promise Land Riddem”   produce by Dr Olugander of the Gander’s Production will soon be release in the market. Crafted at Bulldorf  Recording studio, the  new line-up featured fourteen other top Gambian artistes . Currently a promo single has been released to some radio stations in the country.

However, this is the latest development embarked upon by Dr Olugander better known the Musical Doctor.

Speaking to What’s On the reggae star disclosed that the main reason behind the initiative is to assist the upcoming artistes especially those, who cannot record their own music stuffs.

According to him, the creation of this new line-up is another milestone in the annals of the entertainment industry.

“We the artist should always inculcate love and unity among ourselves and I think this is a way to achieved that goal. With the number of artiste featured in this line-up ,I  have the firm belief that unity and love will for ever flourished among ourselves and other artist in achieving our aspirations,” he said.

Olugander however, observed that Gambia is full of young talents noting that if given the necessary support they can live up to expectation.

He noted that, I is not a profit making venture or fame, but to involve artistes in conscious and positive agendas.

“ Each artiste featured in this line-up will have his or her share when the final work is completed. So I want to tell reggaes fans to support their artistes featured in the line-up and support them to the fullest. forward for ever,” he added.

Watch out for Promise Land Riddem in the market very soon.

The Gambia’s only musical doctor, Dr Olugander, has been  awarded  the 2007 reggae song award with his track titled “Run Da Place”.

Dr Olugander is one of the leading reggae artiste in the country. He is well known for his versatile skills and stage
performance.

Olugander was among 21 other personalities who received various prestigious awards.

Organised by Joluv Arts Entertainment based in United Kingdom in collaboration with Gambia Talents Promotions in Atlanta, the
award night was designed to reward and promote distinguished Gambians who have made tremendous efforts in their respective
areas.

In an interview with What’s On, Dr Olugander said it was a pleasure to have received an award which he described as worthy
and timely.

“This award shows how my fans like my music because without them I can’t do anything. There is this proverb which says “the
greatness of a king depends on the number of people he rules,” he said.

He thanked the organisers and cooperate sponsors like Africell for their support to the  development of The Gambian music
industry. by Assan Sallah

The Gambia’s only musical doctor, Dr Olugander, has been  awarded  the 2007 reggae song award with his track titled “Run Da
Place”.

Dr Olugander is one of the leading reggae artiste in the country. He is well known for his versatile skills and stage
performance.

Olugander was among 21 other personalities who received various prestigious awards.

Organised by Joluv Arts Entertainment based in United Kingdom in collaboration with Gambia Talents Promotions in Atlanta, the
award night was designed to reward and promote distinguished Gambians who have made tremendous efforts in their respective
areas.

In an interview with What’s On, Dr Olugander said it was a pleasure to have received an award which he described as worthy
and timely.

“This award shows how my fans like my music because without them I can’t do anything. There is this proverb which says “the
greatness of a king depends on the number of people he rules,” he said.

He thanked the organisers and cooperate sponsors like Africell for their support to the development of The Gambian music
industry.

All is set for Miss Willies 2008

Preparations are currently on high gear for the annual Miss Willies beauty pageant contest slated for Saturday 28th March,
2008 at Lamin Village.

Organised by Champion Sounds Promotions, the day is designed to showcase the country’s  rich cultural heritage and to further
strengthen peace and oneness through entertainment.

Speaking to What’s On, DJ  Lamin Cham of Champion Sounds Promotions said  six beautiful  young ladies would contest in the
event . According to him the day is expected to be graced by high profile personalities.

“This beauty  pageant contest will also witness live performances by various top Gambian artists, among them, Chamajeng,
Sambou Suso aka the golden voice of Manding, Lamarana Jallow, among others,” he said.

According to him, it is going to be a fun-filled event in the history of Miss Willies.

Queens Head in Kololi is now under new management all with a view to revitalizing and rejuvenating the once-popular entertainment spot.

Aside from the Karaoke night, a range of entertainment programmes and culinary delights are also on offer as a way of injecting a new lease of life into the entertainment outfit.

In a chat with Entertainment, Mr. Abdoulie Jeng and wife, posited that after taking control of the management of Queens Head, they’ve come up with a number of exciting events such as Big Friday Meeting featuring traditional music, West Coast Fever with Hard Breaker and Karoake night.

‘Other big names in the country’s entertainment scene have also expressed their wish to stage performances here. Queens Heads is striving hard to revive its former glory as a melting pot for all cultures, peoples, origins, ages and what have you,’ added the couple.

Considered as one of the greatest percussionist in Senegal, Mbaye Dieye Faye has made, last Saturday, a memorable comeback to Super Etoile, during a live performance at Thiossane Night Club in Dakar.  The event was portrayed in Senegalese media as a positive move between the two Mbalax icons. In fact, following a blazing row, Youssou N’Dour and Mbaye Dieye Faye finally decided to part company three months back. But the question after questions is to know what the row was really about.

Born in a modest family of “Griot” griots, Mbaye Dieye Faye was inexorably predestinated to a musical career. He had a difficult life before he became a celebrity. He sings because he’s a griot, but it’s a passion for him to sing. He dreamt of being one of the famous singers in his country.

He grew in a family of griots, but he had problems when he wanted to be a singer. Formerly, people used to say that when you sing, you are going to ‘‘take a bad way”. For instance, you can use drugs or alcohol because of the environment, bars, hotels, dancing so, that was the reason his father defended him to become a drummer.

When he was child, his father sent him to koranic school before he entered French school. But at a young age, he deserted school and became a carpenter of metals after he began to tap the drums. When he first informed his father about his affection for music, his father started to beat him. It was after becoming conscious of the his son’s devotion, that his father consented. But like many children, Mbaye Dieye Faye was very stubborn, so he continued to decide to be a singer before his father decided to give him his agreement. After all, it was normal for the young son of Sing Sing to tap the drums. Like it is said in a  “Wolof language” Wolof proverb, “Donou sa baaye ayoul”, meaning that it’s not a shame to follow the same job as your father. So Mbaye Dieye Faye begun to tap the drums with his companion  “Youssou N’Dour” Youssou N’Dour well known as the “King of  “Mbalax” Mbalax” in Senegal. Mbaye Dieye Faye had begun singing when he gave up his work as a metal carpenter. Too young, Mbaye Dieye Faye left this school.

His first concert with Youssou N’Dour was very wonderful for them even if they got only one thousand Cfa each. Youssou N’Dour is an old best friend and a colleague of Mbaye Dieye Faye. According to Mbaye Dieye Faye, Youssou Nour is a best among the best people. They share many things and together they will realize their dream, success.

In his adulthood, he married his beloved Mame Ndiaye and has his kids with her. According to Mbaye Dieye Faye, it is not easy to become famous but also it’s not easy being famous. Indeed, famous people are not free; they can’t do whatever they want. To gain his life, Mbaye Dieye Faye has his music, the praise he made during ceremonies, concerts, and advertisements such as ‘ halib’ a milk product, ‘the la force’ a tea product…

He makes rhythm in his music, the Mbalax. What makes Mbaye Faye famous is not only his ability to beat the drum but his way of dancing and giving life in his concerts. Since he is always a “griot”, he knows how to make himself listened to. He is a court musician; he sang praise and told the history of people or the region which interest people. The advertisements also make him popular.

Formally, the Senegalese Mbalax was not very rhythmic because they used only drums and some traditional instruments. However, it changed completely with the modern musicians particularly Mbaye Dieye Faye. In fact, this latter with the new instruments such as the piano, the guitar, the saxophone plays a mixed music meaning the traditional music and the modern one—for instance, the beat of drums and the blare of trumpets.\l “note-Oumy1”

Mbaye Dieye Faye has composed some albums, such as “Songama” Songama, “Live biir Thiossane” Live biir Thiossane, “Oupoukay” Oupoukay, and others. Songoma is the most famous, and the one most appreciated by the audience. This music had caused many problems because of religious principles. Indeed, it is a dance which required a certain way of dressing. It is called “Joubax out”, missing Wolof and English which means literally “navel out”. To attract more attention, girls wore indecent, tied, and transparent clothes. They must look like prostitutes to be exciting. However, others think that “songoma” is only a dance like all dances. It brings people to be more friends, to enjoy oneself. So, even in families, people can dance it just for pleasure.

Live in Thiossane, is also a very famous album. The wolof word “Thiossane” is a dancing night club owned by Youssou Ndour.Oupoukay brought much pleasure to people. The rhythm and the sound were wonderful.

Mbaye Dieye Faye is the percussionist of ”Super Etoile” band. But he has a tendency to sing at the same time with Youssou Ndour. He plays an important role in the band. Mbaye Dieye Faye has his own style in music, very much appreciated by Senegalese people, particularly women. In “Mbalax” rhythm, he introduced as he calls it “Khorom” (Salt ). Nobody can dance to his music without getting tired. Indeed, it is very hard to follow his drums. And it’s like making sport, because dancing his music means jumping, moving one’s body, and all members. So, nothing must be calm.

The role of Mbaye Dieye Faye in the band is also to make entertainment adequately. He is a griot, a repository of oral tradition, a praise singer, but he is more interested in singing love and romance. Most of the time he uses “Tassou”, a kind of speech with some rhythms, reminding one of rap music. That is mainly for amusing people, but often, speeches contain vulgar expressions. And for him, it is for exciting dancers, and having them moving more. Certainly, with his comeback, Bercy 2008, the annual musical event engineered by Youssou N’Dour, will live up to expectations.

The KM branch of the Gambia Red Cross Society will organize its 6th annual miming and beauty competition as well as talent show.

The events, to be held on 8th March 2008, will take place at the Alliance Franco-Gambienne on the busy Kairaba Avenue and several associated activities such as performance by top-flight local artists will dovetail with it.

Head of the Organising Committee, Ousainou Jallow, told Entertainment that the talent show, beauty and miming competitions are one of the most popular activities on the calendar of GRCS, particularly KM branch of GRCS. The events, added he, attract a large audience from all walks of life.

Jallow elucidated that Miss Master KM is unique as the objective of the programme is to disseminate the principles of Red Cross Movement through entertainment.

“ The programme is designed to aid in volunteer recruitment as most people get to know and join Red Cross through such programmes. The funds realized in this year’s competitions would be used to respond to the needs of the most vulnerable in the communities,” he said.