Under the distinguished patronage of FELMAUSA in collaboration with Konnlove Entertainment group, Liberia's queen of gumbay music made her presence felt in Philadelphia Saturday at the America's Best Inn when she performed non-stop.

The reigning queen immediately took control of the microphone as soon as she was accompanied on stage by FELMAUSA President Richmond Mohammed Konneh. Not waiting for any formal protocol to open the much awaited moment of her appearance, Massebe got down to business, opening the night with her hottest single “Dengo”.

Most people in the huge audience rushed on stage to dance with her. The scene was indescribable as it marked a moment in history in the Liberian Mandingo community. The event also marked the first time for Liberian Mandingoes to dance with one of their own recording artist. “This will go down in history,” Nvasekie Konneh, CEO of Konnlove Entertainment exclaimed in excitement.

For most people who turned out to witness history being made, were excited to see Massebe performed for the first time. “They only heard about her or listened to her songs, but the December 1st program provided that opportunity for most people to see her performance live on stage,” Nvasekie said. From what she demonstrated on stage, many were left with the feeling that indeed Massebe is an amazing and untiring performer. She continued to blast out songs after songs and the various styles of dances left her audience mesmerized and spellbound.

“Wow, this woman is strong. She ain’t stop since she came in," said a fan among the crowd surrounding the star performer as popular Liberian resident in Philadelphia, Sekou Jina showered her with more dollar bills.

Massebe sang and danced without showing any sign of fatigue. She was energetic throughout the time and her endearing fans, including the various women groups in the Philadelphia were with her all through these spectacular performances. In fact the more she offered the more the fans wanted. Gifts, money continued to fly on stage as she kept them busy.

Together, it was party all night long. However, interestingly, the adrenalin was flowing through Massebe’s body while she yearned for more party time. “I really wanted to continue, because I know my people were excited and were enjoying themselves, but I guess the time for the use of the hall did not permit us to continue,” she expressed sadly after the program. However, with her sweaty face glowing with smiles, she described the night as a huge success. "I think we achieved our objective tonight: to get our people out to have fun together."

The usual but ugly "Liberian time" is blamed

The program was scheduled to start at 8:00pm. Unfortunately, it did not start until around midnight, when the show had to be over by 3:00 am. Massebe went extra miles to compensate for the wasted time. The program organizers quickly made some arrangements with the Hotel and the live band to extend the contract one more hour until 4:00 am.

The lateness of the program was blamed entirely on the spate known as “Liberian time” which continues to affect our perfect attendance at important programs and events. The poor judgment to always show at program late has affected most events with people normally not making the most of their money. “I think the program, though it started late, was an overall success. That fact that more than 200 people showed up tonight is incredible,” Talata Yahaya Sheriff excitedly said after the program.

The arrival of Massebe, Others in the hall

The huge audience was already keyed up as they waited patiently for the arrival of the Gumbay queen. The MC’s Talata Sheriff and Morris Sekou Kanneh were set to handle the task and as Talata announced the entrance of Massebe, who was accompanied by FELMAUSA Chief Executive and LIMAP Secretary General, Alieu Jabateh, the crowd became more ecstatic.

Massebe, dressed in burgundy African suit walked in to a roaring applause from her fans and admirers. As they marched in, the Ambassador Band popped out the “Dengo” instrumental from the giant speakers, to which Massebe hurriedly snatched the mic from the MC and started singing the song, which has made her a household name in parts of Liberia and Guinea.

As she danced and sang to the beat of "Dengo," her fans could not remain seated. They rushed on stage to jam to the beat. After "Dengo," Massebe took command of the stage with the live band mixing the instruments. From then on, the jamming continued till the last minute.

Prior to her triumphant entrance, the Guests of honor namely Parrain Ismael Donzo, Marrain, Madam Mariam Bamba and the Presidente D'honeur, Mateela Dolleh arrived in grand styles. They were cheered as they walked in. Each of the distinguished honorees was accompanied by an entourage.

Massebe: A Jeli (Praise Singer)

As a matter of tradition, Massebe is a jeli (praise singer) or griot. This tradition has defined the Mandingo culture for thousands of years. She is ever proud to identify herself as a jeli. For her, this is a proud tradition, a very rich component of the Mandingo culture.

Praise singing is part of that tradition. So during the event, she conferred praises on lot of "important" people including the various women groups, Sekou Jina, the Marrain, Parrain, Presidente d'honeur and others who wanted to be seen and talked about. During the process of praise singing, the honorees showered the singer with gifts including money and other items. As she sang praises of the personalities present, money continued to flow from left to right. At the end of the night, everyone left from there with great feeling of satisfaction.

Massebe sang about our own unique experience as Mandingoes from Liberia. She is the first recording artist from the Mandingo ethnic group in Liberia who renders Mandingo folk songs to modern instrumental beats, which is the reason for her instant celebrity status in Liberia, Guinea, Ivory Coast and elsewhere.

The sky is the limit for Massebe

After scoring a major success with “Dengo,” Massebe has completed her sophomore project entitled, “Enyamala.” While “Dengo” was only six tracks, the sophomore album is made up of ten tracks expertly laid out by seasoned Liberian musical engineers, including Tony Karbadeh.

Massebe is determined to be a star. She is very talented and prolific. What is amazing about her is that she does not write these songs. "They come to me as inspiration," she said. The Gumbay Queen's spiration to become a star takes clues from her father, who once was a star performer in Liberia. She is stepping into the foot print of her father, Morris Kamara known by many as “Coache”. For all those who have followed sport in Nimba County, Liberia, the name “Coache” is not strange. With her father being a history maker during his days, the daughter too is staking her claim to stardom, but she is even a bigger star than her father.

How it all started

Massebe was born in 1978 in Sanniquellie, Nimba County, in a union between Mr. Kamara and Massiagbe Kamara. It was over a year ago when Massebe was introduced to Nvasekie Konneh, founder of KonnLove Entertainment and Production, who was visiting his homeland, Liberia.

While in Liberia to launch the much-anticipated debut CD of Positive Force, a musical duo that Nvasekie single-handedly sponsored, his nice introduced Massebe to him as a musician who wanted some exposure. “At first I didn’t realize what the whole introduction thing was about, but when she said she could sing and dance and wanted me to help her realize her long sought after dream, I decided to give her a chance to prove herself,” recalled Nvasekie.

Few days later, Massebe was taken to the studio based on recommendation of veteran Liberian musical engineer Tony Karbadeh and Liberian journalist, Mike Jabateh. Then on July 2, 2006, her "Dengo" album was launched in Monrovia.  

A year later, “we are not only talking about another album, but a tour in the United States of America,” noted Nvasekie excitedly.

Massebe arrived in US a little over a month ago as guest of FELMAUSA to participate in the Federation inaugural program in Milwaukee. She was accompanied by Assistant Minister of Information, Hon. Abu Kamara, who was also invited.

Following the Philadelphia event, Massebe is expected to perform in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Newark, New Jersey, New York City, New York before her departure to Liberia in the middle of January 2008. 

Nvasekie Konneh contributed to this article


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