27 September 2007
A much-loved Gambian musician has passed away.
Laba Sosseh rose to fame in the 60s with his distinctive brand of salsa music and you are unlikely to leave Gambia without having heard one of his songs.
The multi-lingual singer was born in Banjul in 1943 where he spent his early years before moving to Dakur in Senegal when his father was promoted. He returned to Gambia upon his graduation from secondary school, joining the evening musical Jamboree at 'foyer francais' at the hill and Leman Street Junction in Banjul.
Shortly after Senegal declared independence in 1960, Sosseh gained a huge following with the Star Band de Dakar, sharing lead vocals with Papa Seck.
Their fame peaked in the late 70s, when teenager Youssou N'Dour was a member, but Sosseh and the Star Band de Dakar continued to inspire dancing with their intoxicating fusion of African and Latin influences more than three decades later.
Sosseh was the first Senegambian musician to win an international musical award.
According to his family, Sosseh never abandoned his Gambian citizenship. His mother told allAfrica.com the last time he came home was to renew his Gambian passport.
