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.
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).
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