By: Bakary Ceesay
Musa Afia Ngum, the legendary Gambian musician born in 1953 at Fatoto, a village in the country’s Upper River Region.
Ngum was on a tour in Senegal, where he performed alongside his son Yuspha Ngum (alias Jollofman) and Omar Pene at the club Just For You on 10 October, 2015. He suddenly felt sick and was rushed to Le Dantec Hospital in the early hours on 11 October, and later pronounced dead. He was laid to rest in Senegal 12 October, 2015.
The deceased was the lead vocalist of Gelewarr – a renowned musical band formed in the 1970s. The late Musa Afia Ngum fought for Senegalo-Gambia unification tirelessly using music as a tool to advocate for the two countries’ integration
“His Pan-Africanism will undoubtedly be remembered in the minds of the people through his songs where he communicates goodwill messages. The soul of the revolutionary late Baifall is gone but his wisdom will forever remain in our memories far and beyond.
“The late Musa Afia Ngum is a true legend having lived a fulfilled years of musical career on the planet earth. Thus, he has created a vacuum in our hearts for all of his good works in which we shall live to remember always. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.”
Speaking about the loss DJ Lil Sisqo, an Oslo-based Gambian DJ, said Musa Ngum’s death “is like seeing a well collected and filtered library, full of classical and brilliant pieces of art, burning into ashes…and there are no backups to supply the beautiful readers a good read, when they fancy to enjoy a beautiful art that takes them on a journey to see the fantastic world, to enjoy the imaginary lifestyle.
“His songs were full of love, he gave hope to the desperate, and he celebrated his city [in the song] ‘Banjul Banjul Yehh’. He took us to a spiritual world, by praising his lord. He was another advocate for Mouridism. He believed in Senegambia as one nation and never planned to give up the two colored shoes, until we unite and see ourselves as one.
“His Baye Fall Njahas [attire], was a sign of simplicity and humbleness. He believed in his art and reminded those in the world of art that an artist shall never fall (Artist Du Danu) as long as you believe in yourself and love the art you doing.”
