Gam-Music Interview With Martin Luther King
On His Own Words: Making good music 4 the ppl out der, gathering words into meaningful message for the lovers of music and Xchanging my stage performances for Money.
Interview
US2RAY: good day Martin Luther King it’s a pleasure to meet you. Let me begin by congratulating you on your current status in the music scene and well done for striving hard to get the album dropped.
MLK: I first have to say a big thanks to you Ous2ray and the entire Gambia music promotions crew. It has really been a strive as you have mentioned, cus it is not a simple task when working on an album project. Any way it is still on the process, yet to be unleashed in the market. But very soon.
OUS2RAY: can you please give us a brief background history of yourself
MLK: My name is Martin Jeng, a Gambian National, but fathered by a Senegalese so i am Senegambia, and off course a pure Serer by tribe seen… More over I have been to school and completed my high school in Gambia Senior Secondary in the year 2003. I was also in the Famous Gambia National Scout Band at a very tender age, playing the flute and side drums………….. I want to develop my skills and talent of music, to be a great musician in a worldwide scene, and also to contribute to the still young Gambian music industry.
OUS2RAY: who and what inspired you to become a rapper and what drove you towards the style of lyrics and genre of music you are into?
MLK: It is what I see and hear around me pushes me to sing what I sing and to sing it in the style I sing them. I was born and raised in smiling coast of AFRICA (The Gambia) in a community where I interact with different kinds of people, with different cultures, skills, families etc. In societies were the complains of the people cannot reach to its destination for the people’s problems to be solved there must be someone who stand up and speak for the people to be the Voice of the voiceless i.e. the voice of the people crying in the wilderness. And that voice is me. My music is to teach, educate and entertain the people who listen to me.
OUS2RAY: Challenges! We all go through them, can you give us a breakdown of a few you have been through and how you tackled them. This will be useful for other young artists hoping to break the barriers.
MLK: Life is full of obstacles which we must tackle. I think one of the greatest challenges I had was how to reveal myself now to the public that I am a musician after having been underground for so long. Because a lot of people never know me as a stage performer with the microphone and sing. It was not easy for thought but I just took courage, and my first career appearance was in 2004 at a show organized by Peppa House Crew.
OUS2RAY: what do you think about the Gambian music industry in this present day and age? And do you think there are areas that need to be improved?
MLK: Gambian music is the best worldwide, and don’t under estimate this saying brother. I know how Gambians are talented in making music and the rich Art we Gambians have. The industry is growing but still young and need to improve in many areas too. What I think we really need to improve on is the promotion aspect i.e. the media (the radio and TV). That is why most Gambian artists find it very difficult to sell their records. You will see a radio playing like 18hours foreign music and 6hours Gambian music which is killing Gambian music and its entire artist… The National TV is ours too and need to play more of Gambian videos instead of foreign videos. This isn’t about racisms, but because we are still young compared to other neighbouring Nations whom we spend all our time promoting their music. Without improving on this side we can never get to the world class level... 4real.
OUS2RAY: about the album, what’s the title and what’s the meaning behind the title?
MLK: Life is a Blessing is the Album title………. Because I believe that Life is the greatest gift from God. Every day we wake up we have to be thankful for a new day. It does not matter if you are rich or poor, Black or white, your life is a blessing. And we all need to be grateful of the life we living, and really treasure our lives cus our lives are so much important. Life is a Blessing.
OUS2RAY: that’s great, apart from the album, what else can we expect from MLK in the near future?
MLK: The album is not the end of the road, it’s the foundation. And the way am seeing things happening get me saying it’s a strong foundation. Because the way the fans mailing me and calling me asking about the Life is a blessing album is really stunning. Expect more albums, more shows, more achievement, more awards and more and more things both nationally and internationally that only God knows what they are…….
OUS2RAY: do you have any last words, advice for the youths of today? And do you have any special people you want to say thank you to?
MLK: For the Youths they have to take their education seriously, respect their parents, teachers and their leaders too. If you want to be an artist some day to come just work hard on it. It is possible and your dreams gona come to pass. Let the youths listen to my album for more teachings and stay away from drugs and crimes and all forms of negativity. 1 love for the youngsters all over the world MLK love you all.
OUS2RAY: It’s been a pleasure MARTIN LUTHER KING, thanks for your time and we hope to catch up with you sometime soon. On behalf of the Gam-music team I wish you all the best with the album.
Nuff respect!!!!
MLK: Mine is the pleasure brother, and thank you too. Get ready 4 the album coming soon.