A Platform for Ethnically and Culturally Inspired Music
Jali Madi
Artist
Gambia
   
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ABOUT
If heritage and descent are anything to go by, Jali Madi Kanuteh has verily lived and cherished the ways of his ancestors despite the widespread existence of various influences in music and art generally. Son of the renowned musicologist and grandmaster of the African xylophone, the balafon, the late Alhaji Banna Kanuteh was referred to as "the great performer," a title reflecting his performance style and musical selections which display his early griot playing and training along with his love of the balafon and other traditional musical forms. He traveled the entire African continent and became fluent in more than 20 languages. He left a musical legacy that enriches not only his family and his country but also the Griots and Jalis who have maintained the tradition of balafon playing, and musicians of every color and creed around the world. He was influential in the formation of The Gambia National Troupe with Dembo Konteh, who also played a major part in the development of West African music. He began to travel in the 1950s and made his first recordings for the BBC World Service.

Born on 25th May 1983 in a town called Latrikunda German in Serrekunda West, in The Gambia, Jali Madi Kanuteh is a popular Afromanding artist. Jali Madi began his musical career in 1999 with a rap group Askan Bi. The group made several singles including the song "Mam Diarra."

He left the group and went solo in 2000. His first single after going solo, "My Love," has made remarkable waves in The Gambia. His rap/Afromanding style is already gaining momentum in The Gambia. As such, many artists called him up for collaborations. Among these is the hit song by Gambia's rapper Gibou Bala Gaye, alias Gee, "Bull Falleh Nyee" in 2012, which was recorded by Gambia's best and internationally renowned producer Hakim Samadih, CEO of SunLand Music.

In 2013, Jali Madi signed a 2-year contract with Joluv Arts Entertainment to promote the release of his long-awaited and anticipated debut album titled 'Gambia,' which was released in 2014 and contains some of his popular songs 'Jarabi,' 'Alalakay,' 'Dunya,' and 'Serigne Touba.' He has traveled to Europe to perform in Finland, Norway, the UK, and Edinburgh in Scotland.

Besides music, Jali Madi is the CEO of JLove Music Foundation, a charitable organization that annually holds charity concerts and donates the proceeds to vulnerable, less fortunate, and needy children in The Gambia.