Little African launches album with help from his friends
Stabroek News
April 28, 2007
The launching of Little African's album, in the words of the co-MC for the night Cody 'Ruff Kut' Cadogan, "was not as expected", as at the midnight show time mostly artistes were present at the venue.
The launch, everyone should know, was basically a solo effort by African in that he did it with just some help from his friends and a big heart. There was no major sponsorship or backing hence no glitzy advertisements and promos. However, what the artiste has going for him is a grassroots following that could be depended on to help get his work out there.
Arriving at Club Elysium less than glamorously in a minibus around 10 pm and expecting the show to be on the road meant sipping on something cold as the house DJ did what he could to keep the vibe jumping.
Beautifully as scheduled the live segment of the show got pumping on time with a number of newcomers to the scene. Among these were Infared, Stumpy and Lyrical. The place was occupied by many others who were in this position some time back as well so the guys got some encouragement.
R'Mony, a mixed
group of one female and two males who brought out "Anaconda" on the 'Eveready' rhythm from Platinum Studios exercised their vocals while trying to avoid the screeching feedback on the mike.
Woman of Nile, the only solo female artiste on show, livened up the place because of her novelty mostly. But she was pretty impressive lyrically and added to that, the jazz of seeing a sister in long flowing attire got the party started.
'Warriors' made popular by Benji Diamond and Gad Kid took it further intermingling with the audience getting the energy up allowing folks in the house to help them sing the chorus by giving them the mike. These two youths introduced a long time campaigner Evil Eyes, who was not on the programme, but who by virtue of respect got a cameo.
Then it was African's studio mates turn to take it away somewhere around 01:00 hrs. IQ who has been warning about "Living in a Dream World" for some time got the audience singing along. Platinum Mobb, Young Fame and Genovisce, walked with a mob literally packing the stage.
The finale featured Little African who has got to be congratulated because the feat was pulled off fearlessly though time and funds were short in the run up to the launch. No doubt, this was part of the reason for some of emotional performances from the artistes as de facto studio head Fojo assisted on the vocals.