Jay O’jay is a fairly new name in the Gambian music scene having started his musical career back in 2020. Fast forward 3 years later, and he has blessed us with a beautifully crafted EP. Word on the streets is that it is the “hottest, hardest thing out right now.”
His new EP was inspired by one song in which he featured 11 Kanifing Estate artists. These artists include Ryda, Awa Bling, Sponnie B, Double Cee, Young E, 24 Krac Blac, Big Mass, Jimmy Jay, Omarroh Zikkk, Joshavelly & Yuszii.
Jay said he always had plans to come home and feature some Kanifing artists, but little did he know that one song, would inspire a whole 7 song EP. He said he came to The Gambia on a 6months visit to promote his music, work on some collaborations and network with people in the Gambian music scene.
However during the shooting of the music video to his title song “Kanifing La Yepp Di Heweh,” Jay felt so much love from his people of Kanifing that he felt inspired to instead record & release a whole 7 song EP all within a month. With the help of his team, and the grace of God, he was able to accomplish just that.
Jay O’jay starts off his EP with a song called “Tachoulen” (Clap Your Hands.) Jay said that Tachoulen is a party/club banger that he can see club DJs spinning in every party. On this record he featured some heavy spitters, brothers who have a rap history together, having made records and performed together as a group. 24 Krac Blac, Sponnie B, & Big Mass. This is a proper party song.
Track 2 “Puss Mu Taka Nyaka Puss Mu Taka.” On this record Jay reminds us that God has blessed them with the talent, passion, determination, & drive that regardless of whether you support or not, danyoh tarka (we’ll make it) So he brought 3 talented yet different in style rappers to feature on this song. Joshavelly always bringing the fine melodic flows, Jimmy Jay with the chill deep delivery whiles Omarrohzikkk brought in one of the chillest, smoothest Baye Faal flows on the EP.
Track 3. Loh Chi Don
In this song Jay takes aim & fires shots at the gossipers, the naysayers, the ones that are always into peoples business, and always have something to say about how we live, love, or anything we do. He brought in The Queen of Gamrap Awa Bling to talk some sense into such people. Then he introduces a young talent in the name of Yuszii. The mantra of this song is “Live & Let Live”
Track 4. Yow La Hol Bi Lach
Jay said that since he’s been home, he’s seen & felt a lota love which has inspired a few love songs he has recorded. He got to really hang with Yama Yengal, confirming my feelings all along that she’s got 1 of the keys to my heart. She is one that my heart desires. She’s got a big heart, a big chest obviously cause of her big heart of course & most importantly a big “Hana Nekh”!
Track 5. Bu Fekon
This is Jay Ojay in his wishful thinking mode, talking to all Gambians from His Excellency The President, to Nawec, to the people about certain things we could be doing different to influence some positive change in our country.
Track 6. We Ain’t Wishing No More
Gone are those days where we sit around idly waiting for something to happen. Now we are the movers and the shakers, we get up and go make stuff happen. We want some, we go get it. That’s the mentality Jay O’jay wants Gambian youths to have to get up and make their own opportunities & destiny, to stop wishing and go make it happen. Seasoned young rapper Ryda brought that NY flow, while Young E reminds us he all about his paper & the young don Double Cee took us back to the streets.
Track 7. Kanifing La Yepp Di Heweh
Jay said that this is by far his favorite song on the EP not because he was able to put 11 other artistes on the record, but because of how easy it all came about including shooting the video all within a short period of time. When we bring our synergy together, and had the support of our hometown community of Kanifing Estate, God blessed us with some legendary outcomes such as a wonderfully pieced EP.
All songs on his EP were produced by Muhammed Jobe “Creepa” in Atlanta, except Track 2 produced by Cholaye.
All the songs were recorded & mixed by Prince Makaye, & mastered by Matt Whatley of Combover Mastering in the USA. The Executive Producer was Saidina Omar & the album cover art was done by Kisean.
Jay O’jays “Kanifing La Yepp Di Heweh The EP” is now out & available on all music streaming platforms. The EP release party is this Friday August 25th @ Club Lava. You can follow Jay O’jay on Instagram @jayojaytheoustider
