In this continuation of the interview with Jali Madi Kanuteh, the young Gambian artist talks about the importance of artists working hard to produce quality music.

Foroyaa: What do you think is holding Gambian music from getting to its rightful place?
Jali Madi: Lack of public appreciation of Gambian music and artists are the two factors holding back the progress of Gambian music. Most Gambians do not appreciate Gambian music and also those who are in position to support are also faltering in that aspect. Some people would claim that Gambian artists are not doing very well. For me this is a very wrong notion. Gambian musicians are working hard. Because of the fact that they are not being given the support needed, they certainly cannot reach the levels where everybody expects to see them. I do meet people on the streets who would tell me that my music is good. But the interesting thing about such people is that they would not spend their money to buy either a cassette or CD of Gambian musicians.
There is no way I can become a superstar unless Gambians appreciate my music and are ready to invest in me.
Gambians should learn one fundamental lesson from the Senegalese, and that is to begin to appreciate the music that comes from the Gambia. It is high time now for Gambians to show solidarity to their artists as that is the only way we can put our fledging music industry on a strong footing.
A bright example of what such support can result in is demonstrated by the country’s dramatic rise and fortune in football. What this means is that we should invest in the music as we are doing in football.
Another obstacle to the development of our music is the systematic exploitation of musicians by promoters. Some of them neither respect artists nor give them their dues in terms of monetary payments. Sometimes musicians would be engaged to perform in programmes after which they are paid very little or not given anything at all. In some cases musicians are left to pay for their own transport fares. This is totally incorrect. Foroyaa: What do you make of assertion that the Gambian airwaves are being dominated by artists from elsewhere? It is saying in other words that the radio stations and TV don’t play enough of Gambian music?
Jali Madi: I cannot agree more with the assertion that Gambian music is not being given the prominence it deserves. As far as I am concerned, our radio stations and TV need to do more as they have a crucial role to play in promoting Gambian music. The fact of the matter is that the more Gambian music they play the more people would appreciate it. One observes that during the week there are only few days they would play Gambian music. This is really not helping the situation. I am therefore calling on DJs to play Gambian music round the clock for people to appreciate and love our homegrown music.
The other issue is the lack of copywright laws to protect our music. This law is so indispensable to the progress of our music industry. We therefore need the intervention of the government to enact this law to protect our products.
The artists should also take to task the Gambia Musicians’ Union whose duty is to fight for the interest of its members. A strong and vibrant union would help to promote and protect the music and interest of Gambian musicians. In an ideal situation, we would have been paid whenever our music is played on radio or TV.
Foroyaa: You mean the union is not strong to support the artists?
Jali Madi: Clearly, the Gambia Musicians’ Union is a young organisation and as such it has as long way to go and a lot to learn about. However, the National Centre for Art and Culture (NCAC) should work closely with the union to help set some of these things right.
Foroyaa: What keeps you still in music, despite have all these obstacles you have mentioned?
Jali Madi: Well, that is a very interesting question. It is our love for music that keeps us moving. Unfortunately, we find ourselves in a situation where we are deeply in love with what we are doing. Unfortunately, we get very little in return.
Foroyaa: What message do you want to tell the Gambia Musicians’ Union by way of suggestion as to how to work toward promoting and protecting the interest of Gambian musicians?
Jali Madi: Well, the Gambia Musicians’ Union first target should be to foster unity among Gambian artists. Unity is so imperative that without it there can be no progress.
Disunity among artists is, in a way, contributing to the exploitation of Gambian artists.
Some promoters use artists against one another to achieve their selfish ends. Can you imagine one artist rejecting an offer which all the others will also reject if it is disadvantageous? This means they are speaking the same language.
Foroyaa: As an artist playing music for over a decade, is Gambian music progressing? Can you notice gradual progress?
Jali Madi: Indeed, young artists are developing gradually. Well for me the quality of music being played today is better than what we have, say a decade ago.
The young artists today have shown a great deal of potential and which if properly harnessed can get us the desired results.
Foroyaa: What do you make of the criticism that some young artists use music just to get the oppurtunity to travel abroad, but that they lack the passion for it?
Jali Madi: Well, as far as I’m concerned, and I can only speak for myself, my position is that music is an inextricable part of my life. I am so enthusiastic about it and cannot see anything that can separate me from music. I have decided to become a musician and my desire and determination is to get to the pinnacle.
By playing music, I feel I’m simply following the footsteps of my father, who was a renowned Gambian musician. Although others are using it to attain other objectives.
Foroyaa: What do you make of the criticisms that the quality of Gambian music leaves much to be desired.
Jali Madi: That criticism is fair and I feel Gambian artists should not be hasty in releasing albums or singles. They should instead understand that the quality of music matters. For this reason, they should work hard to produce better albums rather than releasing music just for the sake of doing so.
Foroyaa: What do you also make of the criticism often made that young Gambian artists are not innovative; that they would rather imitate either Jamaican or American musicians than create their own originals?
Jali Madi: Well such artists have forgotten about their own culture and traditions.This is unfortunate. Our artists ought to remind themselves that they are from a society that has its own values and norms. The music they play should reflect what obtains in their own culture.