Contact Us
A legend is grieving: Is The Gambia neglecting Musa Ngum?
Home » News  »  A legend is grieving: Is The Gambia neglecting Musa Ngum?
A legend is grieving: Is The Gambia neglecting Musa Ngum?

Musa Afia Ngum, one of the living legends of Senegambian music, has now been apparently neglected and is grieving.

Ngum is well known in both The Gambia and Senegal. To the shock of many, he was recently reported dead – a false news first published by a Senegalese online media before going viral on social media.

However, in a video posted on his Facebook page, Musa Ngum quashed the rumour, saying he is still alive. He had also revealed that he was about to travel to England, where he is expected to perform for the Senegambian community.

But there are certain sad truths the singer cannot hide. In the video, he did not look well. He has considerably lost weight and looked exhausted.

Ngum’s situation is not an exception in the country. In fact, he is among the many living legends who are treated like worthless accessories.

According to information reaching What’s On-Gambia, the Banjul singer is enduring a challenging life.

He didn’t deserve that. When Musa returned to The Gambia from his base in Senegal shortly after President Jammeh came to power in 1994, the government welcomed him with open arms. But they failed to provide him with something that would keep him occupied and busy.

His son, Yusupha Ngum, said his father is a credit to his family and country. Also responding to the death rumour, he wrote on Facebook: “The news about my dad is false, he is alive and healthy keep praying for him....jaangenn Jeff!!!”

Musa Ngum is popular with many Gambians who value his contribution to the music industry. He sold many records and some of his hits include Banjul Banjul and Ceddo.

Born in Kantora, Upper River Region, Ngum started singing in the early 1970s. He is a very modest man who describes himself as “a crazy Baye Faal.”

He once told former TV presenter, Ida Bidwell: “I’m doing music because I love it. If you go to Radio Gambia, you will find my records [there]. I gave it to them free, because I wasn’t looking for money.”

Has The Gambia neglected Musa Ngum?

Of course yes! Our country does not have any grasp of looking after people of talent, especially legends like Musa Ngum who contributed a lot to The Gambia.

Our legend is grieving. Why is the government not helping? Where are the wealthy Gambians who are spending millions of dalasi on Senegalese artists?

If you know the answers, please comment!

Click below and watch Musa Ngum celebrating his 40 years in music!

 

Leave a Reply