FOROYAA Newspaper (Serrekunda)
Musa Barrow
27 June 2008
interview
In this interview, Arts and Music column speaks to the president of the newly established Gambia Musicians' Union, Mr. Sulayman Sowe.
Mr. Sowe talks about the aims and objectives of his Union and some of the reforms that the two year mandated new executive plans to introduce.
Foroyaa: What are some of the aims and objectives of the Union?
Mr. Sowe: The Union has many aims and objectives. However, it hopes to bring Gambian Musicians under one umbrella in order for them to pursue their collective interest. Another cardinal objective of the union is to enhance professionalism among Gambian musicians.
Foroyaa: What are some of the immediate issues that your Union would like to address?
Mr. Sowe: The first thing we want to do is to celebrate the World Music Day. Although, the day had been observed in the previous years, but this year we would like to celebrate it in a grand style. During the cerebration of World Music Day, we would call on the media to unveil our action plan, aims and objectives
Foroyaa: How does your Union hope to combat piracy which according to some of your members is wide spread in this country?
Mr. Sowe: Piracy is without any doubt one practice that robs musicians of what rightfully belongs to them. It is a threat that should be confronted immediately. However, the sole objective of our Union is to defend our members.
We would closely work with the National Centre for Arts and Culture whose responsibility it is to establish a copyright bureau. It is worth pointing out that the Gambia Musicians Union is not a Copyright Bureau neither a Royalty Collector. We would work with the National Council for Arts and Culture for the establishment of a Copyright Bureau to help Gambian musicians to claim what truly belongs to them. Indeed, the state of Gambian music is quite deplorable.
Musicians are under paid. As a result some musicians are relegated to the position of beggars, while some take music as fun. This current situation is quite lamentable and all necessary measures should be taken to give Gambian musicians what rightfully belongs to them. Remember, music has the potential to be a very lucrative industry. However, that is unlikely to happen until and unless the industry is well organized.
Foroyaa: The quality of Gambian music is quite questionable. How does your Union hope to improve the quality of Gambian music in order for it to compete with the music of other neighbouring West African countries such as Senegal and Guinea?
Mr. Sowe: Enhancing the quality of Gambian music is one of the main objectives of our Union. The Union hopes to establish a sub-committee of music critics, which would scrutinize and thoroughly examine every album or single that is about to be released. This sub-committee of music critics would recommend to the Union whether a particular album or song is appropriate to be released. With the establishment of such a regulatory body, the quality of our music can dramatically improve.
Foroyaa: The idea of setting up a music school has been recently dubbed as one of the solutions to improve the quality of Gambian music. Is your Union in agreement with proponents of this idea?
Mr. Sowe: We consider the idea of setting up a music academy necessary and long overdue.
The Union hopes to establish links between Gambian musicians and their counterparts in the West. Those musicians from the West would be invited to build the capacity of Gambian artists, through workshops and seminars. Music school is indispensable in the sense that musicians need to play instruments as well as write songs. Efforts are also underway to link The Gambia's Musician Union with the international body that is responsible for the affairs of musicians globally. This, we hope, is going to present Gambian musicians an opportunity to get more exposure through performing in other countries.
In addition, the union is planning to build community centers where musicians can go and do their rehearsals as well as learn sound engineering. The latter is very pivotal, because music is not just about singing and dancing. Sound engineering is equally key, as the combination of the two make a good music.
We would liaise with the University of The Gambia with a view to having a faculty of Arts and Music. The establishment of a faculty of Arts and Music would help pave the way for people who are interested in the field to further their knowledge.
Foroyaa: Having interviewed many young Gambian musicians, they complained that not enough of Gambian music is played over the various radio stations and TV. How does your Union hope to address this situation?
Mr. Sowe: Very soon the union would establish a sensitization committee that will engage in sensitizing Gambians about the aims and objectives of the Gambia Musicians' Union. This committee would be charged with the responsibility of sensitizing DJs to help in giving Gambian music more air time. DJs are welcome to be members as far as they are willing to adhere to the rules and regulations of the Union. This Union seeks to pursue the collective interest of all stakeholders in the music industry. Promoters, producers as well as DJs are all invited to join the Union.
Foroyaa: With all stakeholders in the music industry welcome to join the Gambia Musicians' Union, apparently there could be a conflict of interests.
How would the Union react should there be a conflict of interests?
Mr. Sowe: As far as I am concerned, I cannot foresee a conflict of interests. This is because all the stakeholders in the music industry are working towards a common goal.
However, should there be a conflict of interests we are going to adjudicate it in accordance with our constitution, which guarantees collective interest. Furthermore, if anyone is found guilty of pursuing personal interest you would, without any hesitation, be expelled.
As the president of the Union, am obliged to adhere to the rules and regulations of the union. It is also paramount that as the president of the Union, I listen to the concerns of my members who should show me which directions to take.
Foroyaa: The major problem facing all Gambian musicians, especially the young ones, is finance. Does your union intend to support members financially?
Mr. Sowe: Well, it is true that the vast majority of Gambian artists do complain about finance. However, in my sincere opinion, the solution to this problem is for the music industry to be well organized. Remember, a well structured music industry has the potential to yield huge sums of money for the stakeholders in the industry. It is absolutely deplorable that the Gambian music industry is not well structured. With better structuring of the industry, which the Union hopes to achieve, there would be no need for Gambians to cry or look for financial support. It is imperative to point out that music is a noble profession based on the principles of informing and educating the masses. As such, musicians should not perceive themselves as beggars. As a musician one has a product to sell and if that product turns out to be good, it would undoubtedly yield or generate income. Now the challenge facing Gambian musicians is for them to produce quality and marketable products. Over the years, many Gambian musicians have been provided with funds by sponsors. However, all those funds came to nothing as the product of those musician failed to make any serious impact in terms of marketing. Now, what we must focus on is to come up with strategies in order to get the products of Gambian musicians sold. Until and unless these marketing strategies are devised, many Gambian musicians would be relegated to the state of beggars.
Foroyaa: Apparently, some Gambian musicians have effectively turned themselves into beggars and praise singers. What is your Union's stance on that?
Mr. Sowe: Well, as far as Gambia Musicians' Union is concerned, we are here to encourage nothing but professionalism. We encouraged our members to observe all the ethics of our profession, which does not call for glorifying individuals. However, it is also worth pointing out that we have in our midst Griots who, in accordance with culture and traditions, are entitled to praise sing people.
Nevertheless, members of the Union are encouraged to sing progressive songs that can have a positive impact on society rather than sing about personalities.
Furthermore, I would like to stress that music is not a means of begging.
Instead it is a profession just like any other profession.
Foroyaa: Several young Gambian musicians have been signed by companies on contractual basis. How does your Union perceive this?
Mr. Sowe: Efforts are underway to draw out a contract document. This document would be used by the members of the Union as a reference. Members of the Union would always be advised to use it whenever they are approached to sign contracts. This proposed contract document will help musicians not to sign contracts that would not safeguard their interests.
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