Dancehall act Alakaline is currently in The Gambia and was expected to perform at a concert inside the Independence Stadium in Bakau last night.

According to media reports out of Africa, the artiste arrived in The Gambia on Thursday and is said to have told a press briefing that he was ready to perform for his fans, calling on them to get set for the Champion Boy, using the title of his popular song.

He was quoted in The Gambia’s Daily Observer newspaper as saying The Gambia concert means a lot to him, being his second concert in Africa, after Ghana. He is said to have also saluted the youths in the country for their love and support for dancehall music.

Concert promoter Sarjo ‘SOT’ Touray said the concert could not have come at a better time as Alkaline is one of the most sought after Jamaican artistes at the moment.

“So, the show would have a unique artistic vision and Alkaline will deliver to the best of his ability on stage,” Touray was quoted as saying.

The event is staged by Begleen Arts & Entertainment, a Gambian music promotion and entertainment group based in London, United Kingdom, and The Gambia. The group aims to entertain the Senegambian community by promoting and exposing its art, culture and music to the international community. The group, since the onset, is committed to bringing artistes who are at the pinnacle of their careers to perform, both at home and abroad.

The supporting acts include Gambian dancehall artistes ENC, Sofia, ST and A2 D Fulani King.

— Richard Johnson