Gambian music to receive Russian exposure

The deal was signed by the Honorary Consul Lamin Manga in Moscow and the Russian aggregator Music Service Centre in the closing days of September. Subsequently, Music Services Centre will host a section for Gambian artists. The deal will also allow for the legal purchase of music from Africa through the Music Services Centre platform.

Speaking about the development, Manga, who was the former Director General Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS) said, “It is an excellent platform and opportunity for many Gambian artists from the golden era to the new catalogues to have our content exposed to this huge market.

"Gambians can also download local content from the platform from anywhere in the world, so artists can start to enjoy the fruits of their labour.”

The move comes just as a report from the auditing firm PricewaterhouseCoopers on a number of African countries predicts that a significant percentage of music revenue will be derived from digital sales in the coming years.

“We believe that there is a lot of new potential in African music in the Russian market and, of course, worldwide markets,” said Natalia Khomchenko of Music Services Centre. “Thanks to digital technologies and the development of social networks, people are open to discover new and different music.

“We are excited to be with Mr Manga to open up an African chapter into the Russian market...We look forward to a strong and long-term partnership through this endeavour. Artists in the Gambia will be invited to sign up to the platform shortly.”