The co-founder of the Open Mic Festival (OMF), Xmyls has refuted claims that the future of their festival hangs in the balance.

He took to Facebook to respond to reports on What’ On-Gambia last week that OMF is facing a stiff competition from rapper, Gee who is launching his new album at the Independence Stadium.

“It beats me why the writer is insinuating that people will have to make a choice between the two events as if they are being held on the same day and time. The two events are a week apart and I see no reason why anybody would cancel going to either show just because they are a week apart. The music industry has grown beyond that. The OMF is a great part of the foundation upon which the Gambian music renaissance has been built and remains the leading event for artistes and music enthusiasts in the Gambia. My question is, are you trying to drive a wedge between an artiste who greatly reveres the OMF and the OMF as a whole?”

Xmyls continued: “In case you haven’t noticed, December in Gambia is laden with activities ranging from music to fashion and theatre to plain old partying. Just so you know, there is active collaboration between the organizers of major events and the same holds true for the organizers of Gee’s launching and the OMF2014.”

The famous Gambian music promoter vehemently denied allegations that they pay artists ‘chicken feed’.

“Let me tell you this, Black Lynx pays local artistes better than all major promoters. Additionally, every artiste on the roster agrees on a performance fee with the organizers prior to the event. If the fees are as bad as you have stated in your various posts, how come we still have them on board year after year? Or better still, why don’t you ask the artistes what they think?”

According to reliable information reaching What’s On-Gambia, this year’s OMF’s lineup includes artists like Jali Madi, ST and Mighty Joe.