FOROYAA Newspaper (Serrekunda)
Musa Barrow
11 November 2009
interview
Jali Madi Kanuteh, a young Gambian artist in this interview calls for quality music. He urged his fellow artists not to produce singles and albums just for the sake of doing so.
Foroyaa: Could you introduce yourself to the readers?
Jali Madi: Well, my name is Jali Madi Kanuteh, a son of Alhagie Banna Kanuteh, a renowned kora player.
My mother's name is Sainabou Tunkara and I live at Latrikunda.
Foroyaa: Apparently, both your parents were traditional musicians. How did you start life in a musical home?
Jali Madi: As you rightly pointed out both my parents were musicians. At a very tender age, I was introduced to various musical instruments by my father who insisted I had to learn how to play musical instrument at home. This he said was the practice of forefathers who from generation to generation were renowned instrumentalists.
Foroyaa: What inspired you to become a musician? This is because even though some were born in traditional musical homes, they just lack interest in music?
Jali Madi: Well, it is worth pointing out that my namesake, the person I was named after was a renowned musician. He used to be called Balafong Madi, Balafong being a traditional African instrument. Secondly, after the passing away of our father in 1995, we felt obliged to continue what our father did. This is why my brother and I took it upon us to play music. My brother who plays Balafong and Guitar is equally determined that the practice which our late father was renowned for did not die away.
Although our father left a big vacuum, myself and my brother are ready to step into his shoe.
As far as am concerned, music is an inextricable part of me and I see now way how I can be separated from it.
Foroyaa: How did you start your professional career as a musician?
Jali Madi: Well, I started my professional career back in 1999 when I used to rap however, I saw that period as a moment of learning lessons. This is because rap music was alien to me and its culture was totally new to me.
Before turning Solo, I was with the Askan gi Group. Nevertheless, I have worked with a number of Gambian artists thereby producing songs as well as video clips.
Foroyaa: With Askan gi Group. Did you produce either a single or an album?
Jali Madi: With Askan gi Group we produced a number of singles and videos. The group was a very well known and my period with them served as a launching path for my career. Without any question the band really catapulted me to where I am today.
Foroyaa: Does Askan gi Group still exist?
Jali Madi: Well, the members of the group have turned Solo. The other member is working with his mother as I am doing. We all aspire to achieve more.
One of my challenges is to fill the vacuum left behind by the demise of my late father.
Foroyaa: Could you tell more about your late father who was a star in his time?
Jali Madi: Well, my father was a star in his on right. He was without a doubt a musical genius. Actually, my father played a pivotal role in the formation of the Gambia National Troop. Apart from his musical skills, he travelled far and wide. He was also quite fluent in all Gambian languages. He could speak all Gambian languages.
Foroyaa: How on earth did you start your musical career with playing rap music when actually your were brought up in a traditional music set up?
Jali Madi: Well, I started with rap music simply to gain knowledge in that area. In this twenty first century, I believe it is good that one gets as much knowledge as he/she can. I did rap so that I can be equipped to perform whenever I find myself. I wanted to be a iconic musician who can have a global appeal. As such I felt it was important that I ventured into what was uncharted territory for me.
Having said that doing rap music did not make me forget the traditional music which my forefathers played. As a matter of fact we were blending rap music with traditional ones. In a nutshell, even though we were engaged in rap music, it was clear to us that we could not let out traditional music slip away from us.
Foroyaa: Since you turned Solo, have you produced a single?
Jali Madi: Well, I realised a number of singles. I also joined hands with my other artists to produce singles and videos. I worked with Big Ams in Kairo. Recently I released a new single entitled Dear Mama which is dedicated to mothers. I was one of the eight Gambian artists who dedicated a track to the Gambia national football team. I took part in DK-BJL which consists of both Gambian and Senegalese artists.
As things stand now I'm working quite hard to produce an album. Already I did some recording. But I must say there are obstacles on my way. No matter how good an artist my be, if he/she does not have the necessary support, he/she will not progress.
There is no doubt in my mind that should I have the necessary support, I will be able to produce an album within a period of two months.
Foroyaa: Is it correct to say that the only stumbling block you face in releasing your debut album is lack of support?
Jali Madi: That is absolutely correct. As I said earlier I will be able to produce an album within a period of two months should I have the support. For my singles that I released, it was my mother who financed them for me. Without her assistance, I would not have been able to achieve what I achieved. She has been always there for me ready to come to my end when there is nobody else. As things stand my mother is my only helper.
Foroyaa: What kind of music do you hope to produce for your fans?
Jali Madi: I want to produce music of high quality for my fans. I don't want to produce an album just for the sake of doing so.
My objective is to produce album quality which can linger in the hearts of music enthusiasts for years to come. Clearly, what I hope is that my debut album should be an absolute thriller and that requires a great deal of investment and patience. I'm ready to do whatever it takes to come up with a quality album rather than producing one just for the sake of doing so.
Foroyaa: Apparently, since you turned Solo, you have been playing Afro Manding music. How popular do you think is Afro Manding music among music enthusiasts?
Jali Madi: Most people like Afro Manding music, because it is a music which reflect the tradition and culture of our people.
Musicians who play Afro Manding music are no ordinary musicians. They are quite verse in history as well as language. They know the history of every family and can tell where actually a family or a group of families originated. In a nutshell, they are custodians of history, culture and tradition.
In pre-colonel Africa, musicians played a very important role. They served mediators as well as advisors to kings.
No matter what happens I'm determined to continue with my Afro Manding style. I want to be a musician who has a global appeal. I want my music to go beyond the boundaries of this country.
I would also love to be the second Gambian artist to perform in the kora awards.
Foroyaa: Do you feel sad when you open your television to view kora awards without the participation of any Gambian artist? This is because Gambia is believed to be the home of 'Kora'
Jali Madi: Given that this country is believed to be the home of 'Kora', it is utter disheartening for me to watch kora awards without the participation of Gambian artists. This trend I believe should be reversed and all Gambian artists are under obligation to do so.
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