The Tide of Socially Conscious & Economically Empowered Artists in The Gambia

Three Gambian Artists (c) Facebook

By Yusef Taylor

The artistic landscape in The Gambia has evolved significantly, with a new generation of artists who are not only socially conscious but also economically empowered. These artists are using their creativity to advocate for social change, generate income, support local economies, and empower the marginalised communities that they represent. This feature explores the journeys and initiatives of three leading artivists from The Gambia.

Awa Bling (c) Facebook

Awa Bling: Advocating Against SGBV and FGM/C

Awa Bling, a brave female rapper, has taken the advocacy against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and Female Genital Mutilation/Circumcision (FGM/C) to her supporters and followers through music. Through her powerful songs like ‘Never Again’, ‘Break the Silence’, and ‘Cut No More, Awa has mainstreamed her advocacy, reaching a wide audience and inspiring action on these critical issues. She believes that artists have a unique platform to drive meaningful progress on social causes, stating, “Artists have a platform and a voice that can reach a wide audience, making them powerful advocates for important issues and social causes,” she said. 

In July, The Gambia’s National Assembly rejected a Bill to repeal the ban against FGM/C, aimed at decriminalising Female Genital Mutilation, reflecting the Assembly’s recognition of the grave impact FGM has on the physical and mental well-being of women and girls. Awa expressed her views on the decision, emphasizing the need for continued efforts to eradicate the practice. “The decision to uphold the ban on FGM/C in The Gambia demonstrates a commendable commitment towards protecting the rights of women and young girls. However, it is vital that we intensify our efforts towards ending the practice of FGM/C altogether,” she said.

Beyond her advocacy, Awa Bling is also vocal about the gender disparities in the Gambian music industry. She highlights the challenges female artists face in gaining recognition and fair pay in a male-dominated field. Awa stresses the importance of gender equality in all aspects of the industry, including pay, and calls for initiatives that support female artists in creating a more inclusive and equitable music scene.

Killa Ace (c) Facebook

Killa Ace: Championing Social Justice and Economic Empowerment

Killa Ace, a pioneering hip-hop artist and human rights activist, has long been at the forefront of social advocacy in The Gambia. Known for confronting the previous authoritarian government, which led to his exile in Senegal in June 2015, Killa Ace has since returned to lead Team Gom Sa Bopa, a youth-led Civil Society Organisation that uses arts and culture to organize events like the Cypher Show. This platform unearths and nurtures talent from marginalised communities, providing young artists with opportunities to establish their musical careers in the hip-hop genre.

Despite the success of the Cypher Show, which employs around 20 people per event and offers significant cash prizes to winners, Killa Ace continues to face challenges in his advocacy work. His movement has been vocal against issues such as expensive water and electricity tariffs, corruption, and other social ills. However, support for his organisation remains limited, with most activities being self-funded or supported by a few donors. “We are often labelled as this protest movement or organization,” he explained, noting that while some potential supporters are hesitant to collaborate, there are still partners who support their cause both inside and outside the country.

Killa Ace also sheds light on the challenges of online digital monetization for Gambian artists. With The Gambia not being part of the regions that support monetization on platforms like YouTube and Facebook, artists like him struggle to generate income from their content. “Gambia is not part of the regions that have monetization… which is very unfortunate,” he said, underscoring the need for better financial infrastructure to support artists’ economic empowerment.

Omar Champion Cham (c) Facebook

Omar Champion Cham: Bridging Art, Advocacy, and Economic Impact

Omar Champion Cham, a leading spoken word poet and the Speaker of the National Youth Parliament, is another artist who is successfully blending social advocacy with economic impact. Recently, he staged a successful spoken word show that featured music, comedy, and other performing arts, employing around 50 people in the process. The event not only provided entertainment but also injected significant income into the local economy, with members of the organizing committee and performers earning substantial fees.

Omar Cham has been a vocal advocate on various social issues, including the lack of a stable Ferry Service between Banjul and Barra. His activism led to his arrest alongside other civil society advocates on 21st April 2024, although there are indications that the charges against them may be dropped. Despite these challenges, Omar remains committed to using his platform for social change.

Like Killa Ace, Omar Cham is also grappling with the challenges of online monetization. He is currently working with a promoter to monetize his social media accounts, particularly YouTube, to create additional revenue streams. Omar believes that economic empowerment through art is crucial for Gambian artists to build sustainable careers. He advocates for government intervention to establish the necessary financial infrastructure that would enable social media monetization in The Gambia, similar to what is available in countries like Nigeria and Senegal.

The Road Ahead: Balancing Social Advocacy and Economic Sustainability

As these three artists demonstrate, the intersection of social advocacy and economic empowerment is becoming increasingly important in The Gambia’s artistic community. While they continue to face challenges, including limited financial support and inadequate digital infrastructure, their efforts are paving the way for a more socially conscious and economically viable entertainment industry.

Awa Bling, Killa Ace, and Omar Champion Cham are not just artists; they are advocates, entrepreneurs, and leaders who are using their platforms to inspire change and empower others. Their work highlights the potential of art to drive both social and economic progress, creating a more just, equitable, and prosperous society in The Gambia.

This article was first published on the Pan African Network for Artistic Freedom (PANAF) in the link below. https://panaf.org/lobbying-article/the-tide-of-socially-conscious-and-economically-empowered-artists-in-the-gambia/