By Sainabou Sambou
Muhammed Bayo, who goes by his musical pseudonym Star Sign Kunta Kinteh, has had a chit chat with Gambia Daily Life &Entertainment during which he disclosed how he drew inspiration from the words of a stranger in a car. He said it was the day he completed his GABECE examination. He was with friends going home singing and dancing in the street, when a man in his car gave them some words of encouragement. He told them if they took music as career they would become very good musicians, and this was enough to motivate him and kept him in the game of music till date.
Sharing his love for music, Star Sign said his love for music dated back to his junior school days, when he used to sing the songs of certain artists. He revealed that he started practicing singing and writing music since 2011, and that since then he wrote about fifty songs. “I used to do hip pop music but now I am doing afro beats. I recorded my first single in 2015 but I could not release it due to some financial problems. I have currently dropped seven songs,” he disclosed.
Explaining some of the struggles he encountered, the young artist said his mom never appreciated the fact that he does music and some of his family members. He said he had to leave his compound to stay at his friend’s house. “My mom is a school drop-out so she wanted me to be educated and work in an office. It was very difficult for me. I believe that I will be successful one day and make my mom proud,” he stated.
Bayo observed that most African parents do not support their children when they choose music or other creative works; that their belief is that when their children complete school they should work in an office.
He is currently with Trap Island Studio, where he says he recorded his songs without paying a single penny.
The upcoming artist accused promoters of not helping the young artists, saying “if you do not have connection with them it is very difficult for them to help you, and they charge you a lot of money in order to promote your music”.
Star Sign Kunta Kinteh announced that he is working towards doing collaboration with other artists.
