Profile & Background:
Also known as Maslabi or Masla Bii the mbalax, salsa, dancehall,
rap group was formed in Gambia.
They created a style, evocative of old, traditional cultural songs
and innovatively added the present day mbalax/salsa, dancehall
dance beat with local chorus rap. This unique style has left the
crew in a world of its own. Masla bi is one of the most outstanding
groups in the Gambian music scene.
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Their hit single on the debut album “Merro” won
the Gambian rap award for the “best single” in July 1999.
The album titled “Bu Nui Merro” recorded in The Gambia and released
in 1999 featured guest artists like Mass Lowe on backing vocals,
Ahmed Choin and Agata Colley, Mustapha Faye from Youssou N'Dours
band (arranger) and Thio M'baye (percussion). I
Masla bi was invited as guest artists to perform at the Miss Ecowas
beauty contest in The Gambia in 1999. They also performed alongside
Youssou N'Dour at the Senegalese summer outing as Guest artists
at the invitation of the Senegalese National TV.
Malsla bi released their second album “Waxtaalnal ko”, in 2001.
It became one of the most selling albums in the Gambia . The single
‘waxtaanal ko' added several miles to the groups speedy journey
to stardom. The song ‘waxtaanal ko' has a little spice of mbalax,
a full spice of Latin American calypso and rumba. The single ‘waxtaanalko'
is one of the six songs featured on Masla bi's second effort.
It's force has given it the capital band for the wonderful album.
The album was recorded in Senegal . Both albums were produced
by Soul Sound Jollof Promotion, UK .
At their third anniversary celebration a new single was released.
It was called “Duman” and contained a Wollof version of Shaggys
“It wasn't me”. The song “Music” was featured on the album “One
Gambia”, a compilation which gave an overview of the new Gambian
music.
In 2002 Masla bi went on a tour in the U.K. and now they are working
on their third album.
After five years of relative quiet, B Nui Merro Production proudly
presents Maslaa Bi’s third album and new single “Alel” (wealth).
The album is going to be out in 2008 and the single is already
out on general release. The album is already recorded at Maslaa
bi studios in Nottingham.
It took awhile to release the third album because the boys have
being working not only for Senegambia but the international community
as well. We know it took a bit longer than the fans expected but
the boys have being working to be more professional in the music
scene. Maslaa bi has been in studio with the person that adds
spice into their music who is a well known person call Mustapha
Faye of “Super Etoile”. He is the person that made the first two
albums and he did the third together with Maslaa Bi .The arrangement
was done by Mustapha Faye, the vocals are done by Nas, Tonton
Bala, El Pacco and DJ Gunman, Korist Jalikebba Suso and percussionist
Karim Mbaye (Cho Mbaye's brother).
myspace.com/maslaabigambia
Email: gadasound@hotmail.com
A lbum title: "Alel" (wealth) 2008
Discography: •Bu Nui Merro •Waxtaalnal
ko •Alel |