Singateh Rise

BIO

Singateh Rise (aka Sing-A-Teh or Freaky Joe) is a performer of Gambian hip-hop, Afro-Manding, Mbalax, reggae, dancehall and ragga. His trademark is his unique and melodious voice. His real name is Alhagie Singathe. He was nicknamed after the his first hit single “Sing A teh Rise”. Born in 1982 in Bansang, a small town in the hinterland of The Gambia, where he he spent his entire childhood , including primary and early secondary school, briefly attended Armitage Senior Secondary School before moveing to Banjul to continue at Gambia High.

His music career started in 2001 with his first single 'Gamsaints Reconciliation', a song composed during a reconciliation programme between Gambia High and St Augustine's High School, rival schools in terms of sports and academics in the Gambia. This single earned him great popularity within Gambian society. He soon released 'More Message', which called for youth empowerment. This earned him a nomination for Best Solo Artist of The Year (2002) and several other awards and titles. He started performing across the country.

In July 2005, under the promotion of www.onegambia.com, he released his first full album in The Gambia, and in December that year in Europe. Radio DJ and studio engineer Pa Ous of Gambian Talents got him a job cutting dub plates in the USA. In 2006 he toured the USA for the first time, facilitated by the African Artist Association, produced CDs and DVDs and set up a company with his manager called Sing a Teh's Inc. to produce, sell and promote artists across the world. In 2006 he joined Megaforce Records in Germany. In February 2008 he won the Best-Selling Solo Artist award by Gam-Spirit Music Award organised by Champion Sounds Promotions. In 2009 he was the first Gambian artist to perform at the Africa Music Awards in London.

Sing A Teh has performed all over The Gambia as well as Europe, the UK and USA. He has collaborated with many local and international artists. He is also very popular in Sierra Leone, where as he has collaborated with numerous top artists in Freetown. He often goes back to The Gambia for recording sessions and concerts. Currently he is based in Oslo, Norway, where he is studying music business and music production. He runs his own record label, call Sing-a-The Ent. and a studio called Pak Musik. He has been able to produce many upcoming artists - some for free, as his personal contribution to boost new local talent. He is an all-round talent who sings, performs, writes and produces. His latest project is about the suffering African youth in Italy.