Concord Times (Freetown)
Bhoyy Jalloh
16 September 2008
Another albino music icon has emerged following a 'Star is Born' national talent hunt in Liberia. People who listened to Moses Dumbar Swaray's songs said he could be another Salif Keita, the Malian born African music star.
Recently, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and deputy UN envoy Jordan Ryan rallied support for Liberia's young artists at the launch of his CD album recorded as the current winner of the 'Star is Born' national talent hunt.
The programme, jointly organized by the Liberian government and UN mission in Liberia, UNMIL at the University of Liberia, featured impressive live performances by the winner and by several other top Liberian musicians.
"Once they have gone through all that they have to prepare themselves to reach the level of excellence, the only thing they get in return is support for their efforts and livelihoods," President Johnson Sirleaf said.
She called on all Liberians to desist from the illegal duplication of songs and albums.
"We do have the Intellectual Property Law in this country," she stressed. "As we start to launch this CD album, we want everybody to buy it. The law says don't burn it; don't copy it, because that is how we will support our young artists." Deputy UN envoy Jordan Ryan who is also Officer-In-Charge of UNMIL said the event was just one manifestation of the successes being recorded by numerous Liberians in various fields of endeavour.
"There is hope for the vision of many stars that are being born in Liberia because they are taking responsibility to make Liberia a more peaceful place, and to make the country's culture richer," he observed.
Liberia's minister for information, culture and tourism Dr. Laurence Bropleh used the occasion to announce the start of the new 'Star is Born' competition for 2008/2009 - the third edition so far.
"I am proud to be part of this successful journey," minister Bropleh said.
Moses Swaray, the young musician won the 2007/2008 competition from a field of over 1000 young persons that participated from all of Liberia's 15 counties or political sub-divisions.
He has made great strides since winning the competition, with his new album receiving a lot of air-play on Liberia's leading radio stations. Moses Swaray has also been using his talents in support of anti-crime, stop-rape, and other campaigns and initiatives all over the country.
The production of the debut album was part of the original winning package for the winner of the 2007/2008 contest, which included US$1,500 educational stipend, an opportunity to work with UNMIL Public Information's Community Outreach Unit in its nationwide sensitization campaigns, and a recording deal provided by Creative Sounds Studio in Monrovia.
Other partners and sponsors for the "Star is Born" competition include Comium mobile phone company, Ecobank, DynCorp, CityDotCom and the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.
Present at the launch were senior Liberian government and UNMIL officials, President of the University of Liberia, Dr. Alhassan Conteh, representatives of cultural, musicians, and movie unions of Liberia, prominent Liberian musical and movie stars, as well as scores of students and ordinary Liberians.
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