Gambian singer Sandeng ‘quitting’ music

“Sandeng just texted us and says she is quitting music for the time being and she now venture into hijab,” Bittaye told The Voice Vibes on Tuesday 8 September. “We just take it in good faith and continue on our normal routine in music, still the band members are committed to pursue a career in music as we are on rehearsal for our upcoming concerts,” he added.

The Voice Vibes understands that the quitting of the star came at a time when the band is working on an album and have already released two promotional singles, entitled ‘Kenen’ and ‘Maakyaw’. The two songs are to be included in the group’s 2015 album.

Sandeng was part of the band that was formed in 2004, originally comprising of 14 people under The Gambia Red Cross Society through a two-year project funded by the Icelandic Red Cross. Together they released two albums: Aduna and Jotna. After the project elapsed, the Humanity Band operated independently and spent four years in learning instruments.

“Our messages in the songs talk about burning issues in society. For example, the singles ‘Aduna’, ‘Halal’ and ‘Arajana’ all talk about daily issues in society,” Mbye explained.

Quitters

Gambian music has this year seen to of its promising talents quit. Earlier in 2015, Gambian rap-mbalakh singer Gibou Bala-Gaye (alias Gee) announced he was bringing his music career to an end. He said it’s time for him to venture into new things. Gee was voted Artist of the Year 2014 in an award ceremony that was largely criticized for being “below standard”.

When announcing his quitting, Gee said: “Besides, the disrespect in the music scene is too much. No end of promises. I'm a person who if I don't see many changes for quite a while in anything I'm doing, I move on. I'm not growing any younger and time ammut (no time).”

Originally published in The Voice (print edition) on 11 September 2015.