Multi-award
winning afromanding artist, Sanna Singhateh aka ST or better still Brikama Boyo
on Saturday made history during his Gambiana album launch, which attracted over
45,000 fans to the Independence Stadium in Bakau.
Sources
close to his management hinted that efforts were even stepped-up to print
additional tickets due to the high demand from outpouring crowds at the event.
As
anticipated by many, the popular songster was on top of his game and delivered
a scintillating performance, despite his late appearance on stage.
Earlier
on, scores of Gambian artistes spiced up the event and the prominent among them
includes- Lilian, Nyancho, Big Faa, Jali Madi, Attack and Jizzle as the show
flowed slowly towards the early hours. The high point of the night was when the
main man stepped on the stage amid ovation among the ecstatic fans.
The
event drew personalities from all walks of life including Diaspora
Gambians.
His
playlist includes hit songs from his famous Saluto album namely- Ruhandigol
Kono, Sunkutu Juba, Chorr Mama and Saluto track and hits from his latest
Gambiana masterpiece-the emotional Baba La Leterro and Kodo Bay Kodo and
Gambiana, which saw fans singing along, as the golden-voiced star brought the
stadium down at the oversubscribed gig.
Reacting
to the concert, ST told this medium; “I was very excited beyond any
imagination. Seeing Gambiana creating a phenomenon by everyone dressing in the
National colours was a joy to watch. The event created employment and
businesses for many young entrepreneurs from ticket sales, T-shirts, Gambiana
hat and the many vendors at the stadium. Special thanks to the fans for
believing in our music and giving the maximum support. We need the government,
and corporate entities need to support more by investing in the music industry
because it can change many things for the country”.
Scores
of fans who attended the event left the Independence stadium satisfied,
describing ST as an exceptional performer, who will go down in history for
attracting such a huge crowd.
Momodou
Sabally, former secretary General and Head of Civil Service in the past
government was among dignitaries who graced the event. He commented on his face
book page. “Really proud of my man ST, Brikama Boyo! The #Gambiana launch was a
massive success.. And lest we forget, the number 1 brand behind the nation’s
number #star is Africell. The one company that has supported and nurtured
Gambian talent more than any other... #InspiredNation “
“I
have attended events at the Stadium and sometimes it involves international
artistes, but ST’s album launch is just exceptional. Gambians are now coming up
and supporting their own artistes. To think that a Gambian artiste can fill the
Independence Stadium in the past must be a wishful thinking because the support
was lacking. But now the trend has changed The Gambian music to the world,”
says Ms. Chatty, who was among the elated crowd.
Filled
with a diverse collection of songs, the ‘Gambiana’ 8-track album title speaks
for itself, as it is a masterpiece that every Gambian can relate to no matter
what, while reminding fans of the country’s vast cultures and traditional
norms. It also takes listeners through a musical enlightenment, career growth
and pure cultural vibes.
