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The Golden Voice Of Senegambia

Born in Fatoto, Kantora District in The Gambia, Musa Afia Ngum became interested in music at a very early age. Because his father was a trader who had to travel often, he was taken care of by a caretaker who was fond of playing a one-stringed instrument known as the "mola" or "tukusi ngalam" in Wollof. The caretaker used to play this instrument for Musa until he fell asleep. Musa, even in his early years refused to go to bed unless and until the "mola" was played which, looking back, he deems quite mystic.

Musa Ngum in his youth became interested in "Kassak", songs which are sung during circumcision ceremonies and periods. He became well known in "Kassak" circles because of his mastery of the songs and his melodious voice and in the event built quite a name for himself whilst developing his vocal abilities.

Musa then joined a group called Sangamarr in the late sixties. He became the group's lead singer. He played together at Sangamarr with the likes of Sam Jarju, Cheks, Pa Alieu Njie, Mbye Jasseh, Pa Ngum and Manka Susso, who was the group's guitarist. The group specialised in playing famous traditional songs with Western instruments.

After a while with Sangamarr, Musa was asked by his bigger brother, Lie Ngum, who was then a member of a group called Gelewarr to be their lead singer. Musa then joined Gelewarr. A popular misconception is that Musa Ngum founded Gelewarr due to his strong presence in the group and the fact that Gelewarr is synonymous with Musa Ngum. Musa played together at Gelewarr with the late Oussou Lion Njie, the late Njok Malick Njie, the late Adama Sarr, Musa Njie, Koto Ngum and others. During his Gelewarr days, Musa Ngum recorded songs such as "Tesito", "Bala Jigi Musa", "Yam Soda" and many more which gained cult status and made him a legend in the Senegambia region. Gelewarr toured The Gambia, Senegal, Mauritania and other West African countries.

Musa left The Gambia in 1981 and moved to Senegal. He was assiduously courted by Super Diamono, one of the then premier Senegalese bands and he finally joined the group in 1985. He teamed up with Omar Pene, Maiga, Lamin Faye (Lemso) - the legendary Senegalese guitarist and they released "Borom Daaru" and "Partef" which became Senegambian classics. One of the biggest hits during Musa Ngum's stint at Super Diamono is the combination song he did with Omar Pene which is popularly known as "Omaro, Bamba sa mam la".

When Super Diamono disbanded three years later, Musa joined the short-lived group Ndaply and then went solo with his "Banjul Banjul" cassette and has since released a total of six cassettes. His last three cassettes (Gal Gui, Allahou and Manoré) were all played without Western electric instruments which to many is hard to believe. He used only traditional Senegambian instruments. One feature a lot find it hard to believe is that the bass line is not an electric base guitar but a traditional instrument known as the "Balafong". He was awarded one of the highest honours in Senegal, Chevalier of the National Order of The Lion, by the then Senegalese President Abdou Diouf. Musa was invited by the Gambian president to come back home in 1997 and he has since lived in The Gambia. Musa is currently recording a cassette in Stockholm, Sweden that he strongly believes will top the Senegambian charts and bring him the international recognition he truly deserves. Watch out for the cassette!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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