Self-styled black Barbie, Haddy Faye is without a doubt the new Khalifa General of Gambian music promoters.
Over the weekend, her two-night events dubbed Absolute Weekend 2.0, which were headlined by Grammy award-winning Senegalese cultural icon Youssou Ndour and The Gambia’s own Jaliba Kuyateh, brought down the curtain on an eventful festive season.
The Gala dinner at QCity in Bijilo lived up to its name. It was absolutely magical, according to former Standard Newspaper columnist, Latirr Carr.
Inarguably the biggest gala of the holiday season; punctuated with nice decoration, lighting, and good food. The occasion was graced by dignitaries from various walks of life, including the CEO of Q Group Mohammed Jah.
The Grand Bal was epic. Attendees described it as the best ever. A music critic remarked that the stage was pushed near the middle of the football pitch to accommodate people.
Journalist Omar Wally was in attendance and couldn’t hide his excitement and wrote on Facebook: “Youssou N’Dour is a therapy! It was clear to me last night that some people in Senegambia region (Gambia and Senegal) can sing Youssou N’Dour’s songs better than Youssou himself. I saw some people singing, dancing and pirouetting.”
Absolute Entertainment’s CEO, Haddy Faye is not new to organising big events. She brought Nigerian superstars Wizkid and later Davido to the country. The latter though was an experience to forget.
She also brought Youssou last year after four years absence, although she admitted trying for two or three years without success.
This festive season, first of her events was with Jamaican superstar Chronixx on Boxing Day, followed by Sen Petit Galle and finally the big one with Youssou Ndour. All were a massive success. No wonder she can’t stop smiling since Christmas.
Message to Semesters
Now that the holiday season is over, you better start packing and head back to reality of alarm clock Europe and America. Stay for a week or longer, you risked being rumoured a deportee by the locals.
Nothing can convince them otherwise unless you have your foreign passport or status document with you at all times to dispel the rumours.
For the “pacos” who temporally broke-up with their girlfriends or those who cannot get through the phone, I got good news for you. Now is the time to reconcile and you will be able to get through on the phone as the broke semesters are back to their bases.