Gambian hip-hop singer Killa Ace is selected again to represent The Gambia in the 9th edition of the ‘International Festival of Hip-Hop and urban culture’ (Festa2h) on 4-8 June 2014 in Senegal.
Killa writes on his facebook wall: “Two years in a row I am hereby informing the general public that Killa Ace is re-selected again to represent The Gambia at the annual Festa2h International Hip Hop Festival in Dakar, Senegal, due to take place in June.”
He added that thirteen countries are to take part in this yearly event and The Gambia hasn’t been left out due to its increasing contribution to Hip Hop around the world.
“As usual I count on your support and prayers for me to execute this noble undertaking on behalf of The Gambia as a nation,” he said.
Killah Ace has represented The Gambia in the 8th edition of the “International Festival of Hip-Hop and urban culture”.
He has performed in a spectacular stage on 21st June 2013, a “Special Fete De la Musique” hosted by Zimbabwean artiste NTM at Institute François De Dakar.
On 22 June 2013, he also performed at a “Mega Concert De Cloture at the Complex culture Leppord Sedar Senegore in Pikine.
“So many people admire and cherish the Gambian, including young Gambian Hip-Hop artistes all over the world, due to his multi talents and innovative style in the stage,” Mamur M. Mbenga, an entertainment journalist who accompanies him, said.
Amadou Fall Ba, Director General of International Festival of Hip-Hop and urban culture, said the aim of the festival is to promote and develop urban culture in Africa.
“Urban culture in the field of graffiti, rap, Djs, slam, beat box, break dance, exhibition of arts materials and workshop,” he said.
According to him, it attracted countries like Senegal, The Gambia, Mauritania, Chad, Zimbabwe, Niger, Morocco, USA, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Spain, Belgium, the UK, Netherland and France to promote urban culture.
Music career
Killa, who started doing hip-hop in US during his early age, is well-known in the country’s hip-hop scene as he is a founding member of ‘Cyper Movement’, a group promoting hip-hop and clothing line.
He released his debut album entitled ‘Another Critical experiment’ comprise of fifteen tracks featuring international artists in 2013 as a solo artiste.
He said also the Chief Executive Officer of Straight from Jupiter Entertainment used to host monthly hip-hop show, national and international rap battle competition
Living Legacies Archive launched in Gambia
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Tunde Jegede, a UK-based composer founder Living Legacies Archive, told journalists that this is an evening showcasing musical performance and photography from Gambia’s first traditional music archive.
According to him, living legacies archive was founded by him as he began to study the instrument at the age of eight with master of kora Amadu Bansang Jobarteh.
He explained that Living Legacies Archive holds artifacts, rare photographs, audio and visual recordings collected by him over the last forty years.
“I returned to The Gambia this year with world-renowned photographer and filmmaker, Sunara Begum to document new generation of griots and artistes.
He added that they screen live performances of artistes like Sambou Suso, Pa Bobo Jobarteh, Sura Susso, Wali Cham, Binta Suso, Hammay Saho, Yusupha Suso, Sulay Sowe and Demba Danjo.
There is also a screening of Sunara Begum’s film, truth and art on the work of Tunde Jegede.
He said the Living Legacies exhibition explores the themes of memory, culture and tradition, follows celebrated kora-maker Lamin Saho and documents the cyclic process of making and creating the instrument