Jaajef Saiks and all on the L, I liked your piece about Musa Ngom and his difficulties, however I do not believe that despair is the order of the day on this. Musa has had many ups and downs in his career, in Gambia as well as in Senegal. I can remember meeting him in Dakar in one of his "down" periods when he was at Grand Yoff and seeing him play a new years show in a small bar of dubious reputation called "Columbia" at Djamnadjo in Senegal...a contrast to other times when he has been one of the most influential musicians around packing stadiums. However one of my favorite songs he has written is very relevant; "Artiste" where he sings "Artist du daanu, artist bu fonka liggeyam..." Whilst I appreciate your point about broken promises, at the end of the day being an artist is less about medals and national honours than about the creative process and the response from the audience. One of the best artists in Senegal is Ouza who to my knowledge has never been given a medal, who has had his records banned, who has been harrassed by the authorities, but who carries on a succssess because "deff fonkk liggeyam". In the past, it seems that there has been an issue about the Gambian public recognising Gambian artists, whilst in Senegal they were always more popular... I can remeber the same being true of Ifangbondi... maybe the initiative of new music around Yellowgate might reverse this trend, but I my opinion this whole issue is more about self-pride and self-respect than about official patronage (which has never really done much for artistic creativity anywhere), in the same way as having Gambian images on Gambian stamps is. Anyway I truly believe that whatever the situation Musa "deff fonkk liggeyam" and therefore "daanu bi du yagg" Yeendu ak jaam Tony >>> saiks samateh <[log in to unmask]> 21/June/1999 02:18am >>> THE SAD STORY OF MUSA NGOM For some time back we learn that Musa Ngom is not even in the position to pay his house rent.This alone is no big deal,we know there many who cant pay their house rent,but in the case of Musa Ngom he was leaving in Senegal, perhaps more secured and respected,he was ask by his president if he would prefer leaving in his own house or the house of a friend.Musa opted for his own house and that is,Gambia, his president(Dr Alhagi Yaya a.j.j.Jammeh)promised that his government will do all they can to help him realize his dreams as one of the most recognized Gambian musician in Senegambia.Musa never got again any session with this president.He even hired a Taxi to the country -side during a presidential tour,just to be able to remind him of all the promises,he never got near the president,he has to pay the Taxi Driver with his speakers.Leaving in his own house seems to be more and more uncomfortable.But in his friends house(SENEGAL)memories of his talents as a god musician were still alive,they decorated him with one of their highest cultural decorations.Here my conscience did remind me that narrow minded nationalism is very dangerous.Perhaps Musa should have stayed in Senegal and his music will without doubt continue to get to the Gambia and inspire Gambian musicians.I am no fans of Musa,simply because the contents of his music do not contain any message of substance as far as i am concern.By the way "Ovare" (working-Class)as far as I am concern is the best that musa has ever produced.But the fact that we must not only sit and see injustice done to some one, made me interested in this case,as was the case of Donkey ,Syngle etc.They lied to him,they handle him badly, and they are now hiding from him. Since I did not hear anything more on this case,I have my doubts if Musa is been heard,if so I would love to be inform,however not to take any chance ,I am appealing to Tombong Saidy ,who is not only the Director of our TV station but also a strong defender of the regime, to organized a session between Musa and the president so that he (MUSA)could remind the president of all the promises.Do him a favour Tombong !!! For Freedom Saiks ____________________________________________________________________ Get your own FREE, personal Netscape WebMail account today at http://webmail.netscape.com. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------------