One-on-One With Gibril Bala Gaye(Gee)

We all know him to be someone who speaks his mind without a second thought. His very good at what he does and his making Gambia very proud. He has collaborations will Walay Seck, Vivian, Ida Samba, Demarco just to name a few. He recently launched another. He is a father of one and a friend to many......
Lillian -Hi Gee welcome to Hot Stuff
Gee -Thanks.... Guess i have to put AC on @ Hot Stuff
Lillian - Hahaha of cause. So tell me how did the name Gee came about?
Gee - Gibril Balal Gaye, that's my name. I've been given the name G Baby from birth by my mum's friends.   At some point one of them even named a supermarket after me.(laughs) after my second album i decided to drop the baby and let the just Gee.
Lillian - How long have you been in the music industry?
Gee - I've been recording tracks since my first year in high school 1998 but i decided take music as my career about 8-9 years ago. Lets say right after Born Africans and Fugitives Era. I have been in the industry to date.
Lillian - As an artist who do you look up to?
Gee - Every rapper's dream is to be like Jay Z and achieve what he achieved. I'll say i look up to Jay Z. He didn't boxed himself and accepted that music evolved and he kept up with time
Lillian - What inspired you to sing, basically what is music to you?

Gee - Music adds life to life. I grew up listening to different types of music. I started writing down songs people did so i could understand it more. Before you know it, i started writing my own.... (smiles)
Lilian - Where do you get or what inspires you to write your own lyrics?
Gee - Inspiration comes from anywhere. Sometimes it might be a situation someone is going through or even yourself. Sometimes one word can inspire a whole song, it depends.
Lillian - What is your favorite musical Instrument?
Gee - I'd say the Kora, it's just amazing
Lillian - Have you ever used in your songs?
Gee - I can't even count the amount of times. "Dem kor Nub" has Kore, "Loi Rogal"... on my first album a lot of tracks do.
Lillian - Do you have any intention of learning how to play the Kora?
Gee - Kora isn't an ordinary instrument. I'd say 99.9% Kora players i know started the Kora from a very early age and they all come from musical families. It's not something you can learn and then play, you have to grow with it. The Kora becomes your life, that's the beauty of it?
Lillian - What musical instrument can you play?
Gee - None (cover face). I have the ear for music and i can arrange music after instruments are laid down to a song but i can't play any instrument.
Lillian - What challenges do you face in terms of materials for your video production?
Gee - I haven't had videos done for a long time to be honest, it's my main focus this year. The quality i was looking fir wasn't here and still isn't. I decided on improvising now. I want my videos shown on every African Music channel and every time someone does a research on my something worth viewing comes out. To have all that I've stated the video must have that picture qualities and the right visuals to reach were i want it to reach. I feel every artist have their aim and mine isn't just to be recognized locally.
Lillian - Do you have a good rapport with your fellow Gambian artist?
Gee - I TRY to have a good rapport with everyone. We have our differences and would sometimes clash but other then that all of us have the same aim which is seeing Gambian music out there.
Lillian - Why is "Try" in caps?
Gee - (laughs)... It's just hard to please everyone out here (smiles). Sometimes you gotta step on few toes to get were you wanna be. (Winks)

Lillian - Okay enough of the music talk, lets get more personal. What do you do in your free time?
Gee - Write music (laughs)...
Lillian - I shouldn't have asked that so I'll ask a more personal one. Do you believe in marriage?
Gee - Yes i do. When two souls feel they are meant for each other and decide to tie the knot, some get right others don't.
Lillian - So tell me who is the lucky in lady in your life?
Gee - I wouldn't say her name but she is treating me good (smiles).
Lillian - Awww that's sweet so do you have any intention of marrying her anytime soon?
Gee - That's God's decision but i have every intention to.
Lillian - Do you consider yourself a religious person?
Gee - I do....
Lillian - So final question, what is your 2015 plans regarding your career?
Gee -More international collaborations, more visuals for both local and the outside world, drop at least two projects and a few shows outside. That's Gee for 2015.
Lillian - Thank you very much for granting me this interview, i really appreciate it.
Gee - It's my pleasure (smiles). Can i switch off the AC now @ Hot Stuff??
Lillian -Hahaha go right ahead......



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