Big Banga receiving the Soninkara Namansanou Artiste of the Year Award
By Buba Gagigo
Soninkara artist Big Banga won Best Artist of the Year at the 9th Annual Gambia SONINKARA Namansanou (GSN) Awards, his third win in three years.
The 2023 Gambia SONINKARA Namansanou Musical Awards, held on April 23rd at a local hotel in Senegambia, was a night to remember for fans of all ages.
Bintou Jawneh, DBM, and Muhaba Empire were also among the artists who won awards that night. However, Big Banga stole the show by winning the Collabo of the Year Award in addition to the other awards he won.
His latest song, “Dumo,” featuring ST The Gambian Dream, won him the Collabo of the Year Award.
The award ceremony also honored up-and-coming artists. Bononteh won the Upcoming Artist Award. Kumba Lagare won the Cultural Artist of the Year Award, while DBM (BUREIMA) won the Song of the Year and Video of the Year Awards. Muhaba Empire won the Best Stage Performance of the Year Award, and Bintou Jawneh won the Female Artist of the Year Award.
The award ceremony was attended by the Minister of Youths and Sports, Hon. Bakary Y Badjie, Majority leader at the National Assembly, Billay G. Tunkara, and other dignitaries.
This is the 9th edition of the Soninkara Namansanou Musical Awards. It is organized to recognize the work of artists within the Sarahule community and to revive the cultural heritage of their ancestors.