19 October 2007
Gambian musician Jalex has been talking about his influences and his debt to his grandfather, Jali Foday.
The musician, whose real name is Malang Touray, has his own distinctive style of music, which he calls 'Afro-Afric'.
He told allAfrica.com that his first single, 1997's 'Africa Kairo' was meant "to appeal for peace, stability and tolerance".
His new album 'Soma Alfaa' was released in the Gambia in February this year. March saw the first order from a shop in the UK.
"Basically, I started playing music in order to continue the legacy of my grandfather who was in his own rights a true legend," Jalex said.
The singer also revealed that he hopes one day to be "a national icon" himself.
"My advice to aspiring musicians is for them to be patient, work hard and research well," he added.
Jalex recently won the best upcoming Senegambia artist award in an online competition organised by Gambians based in UK.
