You remember how as a kid you always anticipate to see that one relative? The one that gives you money whenever they visit? The one that says “keep the change’’ whenever they send you to the corner shop? I know you remember. I think human beings, not just kids, are attracted to people that give them money. But do you know what kind of people human beings are naturally attracted to? Those that tell jokes; make us laugh. These are the people we always want to be around.
We are not short of those people in Gambia, and one very good example is the Bright Stars Entertainment. You might know them; perhaps not as much as you would like to. They have been making you laugh and making your day.
The Bright Stars Entertainment is a team of four men— Assan Jobe, Baboucar Jallow, Pa Modou Yaffa and Yankuba Komma. They are an absolute joy to be with and Gambia is lucky to have them. I met them in a gathering before, and the light they brought along was unforgettable. They did not have to say a joke for people to laugh; they walked in the crowd and everyone laughed. It was so effortless. This team of entertainers have now carved themselves a niche in the Gambian entertainment industry and have now got a great social media presence. They are a combination of so many things. They do drama, comedy and music.
I am not the one to say yes to a car interview. I mean, what journalist would? But I did not have a choice. I waited too long to be granted an interview, like watching paints dry; it took forever, to the extent I had convinced myself that they did not want their story to be shared with the public. However, as a typical journalist, I pursued and they gave in. I won. I mean, journalists always win, yes?
They were all in the vehicle when they came to get me from my office. Yankuba Komma was driving and Assan Jobe was sitting in the front seat. Baboucar and Pa Modou were sitting at the back and I joined them there. Wait, I almost skipped this part. When the boys saw me, they screamed ‘’Zee’’ so hard I nearly jumped out of my skin. That is how my friends call me, ‘’Zee’’. There and then, I knew it would be more than an interview; I was going to have fun! “I am on some medication and Dr said I should not eat chicken while on it, but these chicken wings look really good,’’ was the first thing Baboucar (Bob) said to me as soon as he saw my breakfast leftovers. Few minutes after his friends tried to talk him out from eating the wings; he took the pack from my hands and started eating it. I have never seen anyone eat something they were forbidden to eat with so much passion. Good luck with that medication, but it will not do its job. Bob does not care.
They argued about fuel. I think the driver, Yankuba messed with it and Assan was on his neck about it. Assan is the kind of person that shouts and would sound like he is furious. Something about short people; they are everywhere doing ‘’unshortly’’ things. Shouting from the top of their lungs and doing everything possible for people to notice them. That is probably the reason Assan was sitting in the front seat. Short people like to be given special attention.
‘’Laugh like that again and we are canceling this interview,’’ Pa Modou said to me as I laughed to one of his jokes.
See, these boys are not even trained on the art they do. Assan studied journalism at the University of The Gambia. Something about journalism is coursed. I know tons of people who studied journalism but are at other places doing everything but journalism. Pa Modou went to MDI, Yankuba was an entrepreneur and Baboucar is into gender and development.
I asked if they see themselves splitting in the future. Not as if it is an unusual thing to do. So many artists started up as a team but split as they go on. However, Bob looked at me with such eyes I thought I had made a Titanic mistake with that question. Ever since I heard the story of a journalist who got chased by an interviewee because she asked the “wrong’’ question, I have always been careful with the kinds of questions I shoot. I just want a story; I do not want to be chased.
I was going to withdraw the question, but the boys answered simultaneously “Astagfirulah’’. That was all the answer I needed because the enthusiasm and seriousness in their voice was louder than all the background noise Assan Jobe was trying to do. Bright Stars are not splitting and that is a hill I am ready to die on. A promise I am giving to you, readers. These boys did not just meet by chance, they were childhood friends. God works in amazing ways, you see? Because how did he put four talented men together?
They started entertainment officially in 2014 and they have done well with their publicity. “It has been constant hard work, dedication and love for the art,’’ Pa Modou told me. “I think our annual show, ‘Ranha Bisap’, has really taken us to another level,’’ he continued. ‘’One of the major things that has helped with our publicity is bringing out things when they are timely; issues that are affecting the society. Look at our NaWEC songs for example,’’ Assan chipped in.
They roasted NaWEC for the electricity shortage and everyone loved the song, even NaWEC staff. I was given a lift in one of their vehicles once and they had that song on repeat. The driver kept nodding his head throughout, I was afraid for our lives because why was he dancing? But, that is the thing about good music. Does not matter if you are the one they are roasting. Does not matter how old it is. You are going to listen to it and you are going to love it.
Like most successful artists, Bright Stars too have had their difficulties. I am not a big fan of motivational speakers. I feel they do too much to our heads. But, listen to them when they say “there are no shortcuts to success’’. There are going to be rough pitches, people trying to drag you down and the urge to give up on your dreams. “To be successful, you must face difficulties. And we all know the major one in the country is finance. We have also had people tell us comedy is not good, you know? Gambians have the misconception that only school dropouts do stuff like this. However, our biggest challenge has been the America visa scam,’’ Pa Modou explained.
Folks, I do not know who is not afraid of humans, but I am. Human beings are everywhere doing inhumanly things. Like this lady; she came out of nowhere, manipulated these boys into believing that she could help them go on a tour to the US and just run off with their money. The flyers were already out and people were happy for them. Anticipation. Excitement. Next thing they knew was the entire thing was a scam. That could depress anyone, it depressed the boys.
But, what does not kill you makes you stronger, right? Six months after the scam the Bright Stars had one of the best shows in the history of The Gambia. Ranha Bisap 3.0 was top notch. They filled one of the biggest halls in the country. If you ask me, Bright Stars landed on their feet.
When they are not doing music or comedy, they are doing something else. Assan said he loves watching football, spending time with his family or doing administrative work at his restaurant. Yes, Assan has a restaurant at Tippa Garage, just opposite the Trust Bank. They sell both lunch and dinner. Bu garta bi serves amazing food, take my word for it.
Bob loves to do workout at the beach, go to school and play football. ‘’I love to hang out with my friends….and my girlfriend haha’’. Girls, Bob has a girl. Pa Modou said he loves surfing through the internet. Now I understand why he had those glasses on. I mean, if you are going to spend hours surfing the internet you better do it armed. “I also like to watch comedy videos of other comedians because it helps to give me a wider horizon of thinking.’’
Yankuba is also a business man. He sells clothes at the Banjul market. He loves green tea ‘attaya’, even refers to it as his first son. Heard he can brew green tea for the whole continent.
Is there any interesting thing about Bright Stars that people do not know, I asked: “The fact that we still have a lot to offer. We have not yet done half the things we want to do,’’ Pa Modou said.
From securing projects with the UN agencies and government institution to being Africell’s ambassador, Bright Stars have sold their name to The Gambian people and even abroad. They have come far.
By the end of the interview, I laughed so I hard I was convinced I wanted to be a comedian. But, I realized that being funny, being able to crack spontaneous jokes and making people laugh is a gift. Something you do not just learn from the classroom. So, I will stick to writing.