Music plays an integral role in the cultural development of any nation. And as such, this is a sector that deserves the much-needed attention.

For Jali Musa Jobarteh, lead vocalist of Mama Africa Band, the band is doing all it can to revive the country’s rich culture through traditional music.

“We have lots of students in our compound learning traditional music and African style of griot, because we want to keep the legacy of culture of the future.

The new schools have been infusing it into their sound for a local touch, but the bridge between traditional and the urban Gambian music has not been fully erected. To this end, Jobarteh believes he and his band has plans to train and mentor young emerging talents on traditional music genre.

“I am ready in 2019 to tour the country to sensitise young people about the importance of traditional music and the need to cherish it,” he said.

On his debut album titled Tamalalu or travelers in English, the star said it was dedicated to all the travelers taking care of their people back home, saying many households in The Gambia are maintained by those in Diaspora.

The eight-track album boast of other songs, Forro, Jalia, Tamalalu, Mbama – Sarjo, We Barrow, Badia, Foday, and Mama Africa.
The album, he said, was a great success as the first duplicate copies were sold out during the launch.

“We have to duplicate more to enable all my fans, both home and abroad to get a copy. I am assuring all fans to keep supporting my music as I have plans to shoot some videos for the album and continue to give them good entertainment and education through music,” he said.

However, he called for Gambian private companies, and the government to patronise local artistes in their events, as they have the same skills like foreign artistes.
Formed in 2012, Mama Africa Band has plans to spread positivity and cultural consciousness in society through music. Since then, the band has been performing shows all over The Gambia and beyond.