By: Bakary Ceesay
MLB Di Papa, German based Gambian artiste has released his debut album ‘The Gentleman’ comprising ten tracks available in all digital platforms worldwide.
The album is produced by Jlive Music and featured one of the popular Gambian artistes includes T. Smallz, Jizzle and Hussain Dada
MLB told Voice Vibes that the Journey of ‘THE GENTLEMAN’ album began with his musical journey he found out the important role his father played in the musical journey of so many great musicians internationally, from that point, he had to do a deeper research of what music meant to him.
“This journey has been a very fun one because I’ve chosen to make the best of every challenge that I’ve had along the way no matter what. But believe me, it has not been a simple journey of progress. There have been many ups and downs, and it is the choices that I made at each of those times that have helped shape what I have achieved”
He added that: “Now, many could say it has to be easy for me because of what he has achieved. To be honest, his journey has shed the light for me to see what path I need to take, but my journey is self-made. It’s the best feeling now, because I don’t really feel like I owe anybody. I needed to have a journey of my own to tell my kids tomorrow. To even discuss my journey with my family, I have to set an example”
According to him, when he was a kid, he used to listen to the great Gambian IfangBondi, Sotokoto Band and the great music of the ’80s, 90s. I still remember myself as a young boy when my father gave me my first cassette Walkman and a copy of the album “SANJO” by IfangBondi and “Gumbay Dance” by Sotokoi and the late Abdel Kabirr (RIP). Nothing makes me happier then than listening to those albums.
“I start my journey with a big challenge just like so many artists from scratch. We all suffer from acute blindness at times and I constantly tell myself that I should be the only one to define my worth and what I’m capable of and how I perceive myself. And that I should never source that worth from other people, especially strangers and social media. They don’t know the length of my journey or who I am as a person”
Life is a constant journey of trying to open your eyes. Mine has began and my eyes are starting to fully open up. I’m really thankful to everyone who has been part of my journey.
A wise man once told me, “You have to appreciate the slow grind because success is not going to happen overnight it can happen overnight”. So I’m overwhelmingly grateful for the support over the years. To my Family, my team, my management my producer and friend JliveMusic and my fans no words can describe how grateful I’m. This has been a pretty unpredictable journey. And y’all contributed in one way or the other in the making of my debut album which signifies my journey through the years. It’s a collection of 10 well composed songs which I’ve written full of energy, love and compassion.
“I officially unleashed my debut studio album titled THE GENTLEMAN: https://lnk.to/the gentleman! Go and stream it live,”
About MLB
Modou Lamin Beyai, best known for his stage name as MLB which is inventive synthesis of his birth name. MLB is a Gambian Afro- pop/Afro-beat, Dancehall and Reggae Musician. He was born and raised in the Gambia, but currently lives in Germany.
MLB was living in the slums of London Corner in the Gambia. He started music at a very young age, inspired by his late father, OUSMAN BEYAI, a Guitarist maestro, song writer, composer, arranger and sound engineer. His father was also member of the great Ifan-bondi Band and played with music veterans like Jaliba Kuyateh, Abdul Kabirr (Lie Ngum) the late Paps Touray, Musa Afia Ngum and Yankuba Saho and many others both in The Gambia and Abroad.
Singing became his hobby at a very early age but unlike his father MLB’s desire was to become a professional soccer player. Sadly his father passed away in 2014. MLB’s music has so much impact as he entertain and spread positive message across his fans.
The contents of his lyrics are 0% violent. Always make sure his music connects emotionally and touches the hearts of his listeners. Professionally, MLB started music in 2019.
However, he knew music was going to be a lifetime career for him in early 2014 and as well understood it is part of his genetics. Getting into the real music business, he began as a mobile DJ in 2010, in the process his aim was to be a music Composer and Producer. In the same 2014, he wrote his first song ‘I Need You’ which depicted love.
MLB has four maiden hit singles and has just released his anticipated debut Extended Play called ‘Levels’ which contains seven hit tracks.
After performing in Germany in different cities includes Bremen, Hannover, Stuttgart, Konstanz, Tuttlingen with some of Gambian top artistes includes Jizzle, T. Smallz and Hussain Dada he decided to go back to the studio to produced his album ‘The Gentleman’ available worldwide.
