Gambian dancehall artiste -Black Thunder is currently in the country for what promises to be a mega music-electrifying project. The Swiss-based singer jetted into the Smiling Coast on Saturday with renewed hope to promote positivity through his music on the global scene.
Born Saikou Kanteh in Njaba Kunda, Black Thunder as widely known is a singer songwriter, based in Bern, Switzerland. His passion for music began when he was seven years old.
“I am happy to be backed home to embark on new projects like video shooting and recording new songs as well as visit my families and friends,” he told Standard Lite upon arrival.
The new music projects, he went on, include shooting three videos titled ‘Nation Girls’, ‘Jawuya’ and ‘Never Chat’.
Black Thunder revealed that during his stay he will be recording with some Gambian artistes and also do some promo interviews.
“I also came with my wife and kids for them to get used to the African cultural values. But I am more focus on my music mission because I want to make a breakthrough in 2018 by concentrating on my career more as it is the main reason I study in school. So I am ready to spread positivity and speak for the people through music,” he added.
“I’m determined to promote my music on the global stage”
A rising Gambian artiste, Philanthropy, described Black Thunder as a phenomenal artiste to watch out for, saying he is looking forward to do a collabo with him very soon.
“He has a vision and he is representing Gambia all over the world with his music.”
Dj Mutaburaka a disc jockey at Paradise FM, also expressed similar attribute to the Gambian sensation, saying he continues to fly the country’s flag higher.
Career in brief
At the age of seven, he had already started music bands with couple of his friends. To consider music as a career choice later played a pivotal role and before long, he met a popular local producer called Papis, who first introduced him to studio.
This studio work saw him recording his maiden single called ‘Liberate From Action’ at TJ records in 2002.
In 2004, he relocated to Milan, Italy to pursue music studies for two years. After completing his studies, he went into the studio to record more music and later formed a music band. Sooner than later, his musical journey began taking shape and saw him touring all over Europe with his band.
In 2009, he relocated to Bern, Switzerland where he launched a solo career and signed contract with Likkle Lion Record in Geneva. While in Bern, he attended music school for 20 months, doing both theory and practical and was regarded as one of Switzerland’s best 12 artistes of distinction. In 2014, he signed another contract with Atomic Dog Record in Bern.
In 2015, he visited The Gambia where he staged eight concerts and all the proceeds were donated to schools, hospitals and youth development projects.
In 2016, he made his debut performance at Flag Flow Senegambia high, a musical platform meant to showcase Senegambia artists in Europe, where he was awarded the best stage performer. In 2018, he started working with Move Mentality band as his performing band across the world.
Some of his hit songs of 2018 include;’100 millions’, ‘Yes I Pray’, ‘Gambia be wise,’ ‘Love again’, ‘Can’t stop the fire’, Never Chat’, ‘Nation girls’ and ‘Jawuya’.
