Musa Ngum

Musa Ngum or Musa Afia Ngum, also spelled as "Moussa Ngom"; born 1953 in Youssou N'Dour as well as other mbalax pioneers". He was "something of a cult icon back in a Senegambia region, as well as a pioneer of the mbalax fusion style". The mbalax, which originated from the Serer religious and ultra–conservative njuup music tradition sang during Ndut rites by circumcised boys also subject to as “Kassak” songs was the foundation of Ngum's music career. He mastered many of the njuup classics and built a realize believe for himself whilst at the same time developing his voice.

One of the reasons Youssou N'Dour considered him to be a major inspiration was because of his lyrics in "noble" Wolof as opposed to "street" Wolof.

Early life

Ngum was born in the village of Fatoto, Gambia, in 1953 to Pa Antouman Ngum and Ya Ramou Nyang full create Ramatoulaye Nyang of Banjul. Through his mother Ramatoulaye Nyang, Musa Ngum is cousin to the Gambian statesman and historian Alieu Ebrima Cham Joof. His surname Ngum also spelled as Ngom is a typical Serer surname within the Senegambia region. In a special interview with Raaki TV, Ngum stated that he is of Serer origin, and went on to state that "Wolof is non a tribe, but a language".