Sunday, March 2, 2008 marks another great moment in the explosive artistic career of Liberia’s Queen of Gumbay music, Massebe Kamara, who departed the United States following a successful tour across the east and west coast regions in January.
At the invitation of Aicha Keita, dubbed as another “Iron Lady” of Liberia, Massebe performed for a huge crowd of screaming fans in Conakry on Sunday, March 2nd. This gig was also part of Massebe’s tour. The venue of the program in Conakry was a seaside open air club, Belvedere, Bellevue section of the capital.
Prior to the
program, Massebe
had established
a solid image of
herself
with several
appearances on
the Guinean
national TV,
appearing on
such
program like the
Star Parade. She
has gained
instant
celebrity status
already in
Guinea, where
she’s now become
the household
name, especially
in Conakry.
Before the
Liberian star
performer
appeared on
stage, other
celebrated
Guinean artists
preceded her.
They include
Foday Kuyateh,
M'Balu Kanty,
Koumis, Sona
Tata, Manu
Fofana,
Moanamehn, Oumu
Jabateh and many
others.
These artists graced the occasion to show of support for fellow African artist from Liberia, said Nvasekie Konneh, CEO of US-based Konnlove Entertainment group. He is also the manager and promoter of Massebe Kamara.
“When all these big named Guinean artists had come to warm up the stage, Massebe Kamara, the artist of the night that everyone had come to see was introduced by the popular Guinean radio and TV personality, Musa Mara. He introduced her as "the Magic Voice of Konia,” Konneh, who flew to Conakry from the US to attend the program said via phone from the Guinean capital.
He said having being introduced to the audience that had been anxiously waiting for hours, Massebe opened her spectacular performance with "Sabaly Niwabo," one of the songs on her second album, “Enyamala.”
“She sang a song dedicated to Madam Saran Jaby who works at Centre Commissare of Conakry, and who in appreciation brought a suit case full of gifts and presented it to her.” Nvasekie said the Guinean event was one of the biggest crowd pullers.
On the stage,
Massebe
dedicated a song
to her manager
and promoter,
who immediately
joined her to
celebrate the
honor. He danced
as the screaming
crowd joined
them to dance to
"Yengeh."
The most
dominant
personality of
the program was
Madam Aicha
Keita, the
defunct LURD's
“Iron Lady” and
the "daughter"
of Guinean
president,
Lasana Conte.
When Massebe
sang "Kankelentee" in
which she
praised, Aicha,
who has been
"very
instrumental" in
her artistic
career," a lots
of people rushed
on the stage
with her.
“She put out two
bundles of Franc
Guinea (Guinean
currency) and
started giving
them piece by
piece through
the duration of
the song.
Massebe talked
about her
generosity over
the years not
only to her but
to many other
people that have
benefited from
Aichai Keita's
generosity,"
Nvasekie said.
After she had
given Massebe
more money, she
followed that
stunt with the
flashing of gold
chains as gifts.
In making the
presentation
while she danced
to her praise,
Aicha said,
"What I have
given to Massebe
here is just a
little token of
appreciation and
support for her.
I plan to call
for a special
program to give
her the gifts I
have for her. On
that occasion, I
will invite all
of you and you
will see what I
will do for
Massebe."
Speaking shortly
after the
program,
Nvasekie Konneh
said, "It is a
good thing that
I am around
Massebe, guiding
her on her rise
to national and
international
stardom."
According to
him, the next
program is
scheduled for
Nzerekore,
Guinea before
the homecoming
program in
Monrovia towards
the end of the
month.
Nvasekie, a former US navy officer and currently the President of the US based Liberian Writers group said he will return to the US following the Monrovia event. He is also expected to help promote other Liberian musicians who are lined up to await his arrival in the Liberian capital. “It’s going to be great, because we are going to help Liberian artists to expose their talents and make them better,” the excited CEO said.
