A2: Gambian music should be bigger

The dancehall act was speaking about the state of the Gambian music industry and informing local journalists about plans for his forthcoming album, which he says will have an international outlook.

“I’m currently working on an international project which I will be having the likes of Stonebwoy, Patoranking and some Jamaican stars,” he told local media. “It will also be uploaded on my VEVO account and on YouTube to promote it on the international scene.”

Since he came on the music scene, A2 has recorded some success following the release of his first single in 2014. Two years later he released the well-received Mixed Felling mixtape. His single ‘Reyma Pak’ found a wide national audience.

Nonetheless, A2 believes Gambian music is yet to capture the attention of a vast number of his fellow citizens.

“Gambian music should be far bigger than where we are to be honest with you. No single Gambian artist can fill up the stadium, which is not right. There is alot that needs to be done.”

A2, who has won a Wah Sa Halat Music Award (WMA) award and is a Linkage Award nominee for Best African Dancehall, was referring to stadium capacity concerts common across the continent and recently popularised by Cassper Nyovest.

The South African rapper filled up the Dome event venue in Johannesburg in 2015. The following year he filled up the 40 000 capacity Orlando Stadium. Last year, he attempted to fill up the FNB Stadium, South Africa’s biggest venue. The publicity accompanying each effort has prompted many other acts to work on doing the same in their countries. These acts include Kenya's Bahati and Nigeria's Olamide. According to reports, both artists have largely succeeded.

A2’s remark also obliquely adds to comments from Gambian act Jalex, who in 2015 campaigned for the ban of foreign music to allow more Gambian content to be consumed in the country.

"A man will wait on a man to bring something for him foreign when a similar thing is available in Gambia," he said. "We have to have faith in our products. We must try to elevate the good things about our beloved nation, to put it on the world map."

Gambian authorities have so far not addressed that request.