Yusupha Ngum is a singer and songwriter from Gambia, also known by the stage name "Joloffman". He has performed in a variety of styles, including mbalax, folk music, rap, jazz fusion, and Afro fusion music. Yusupha is currently based in Australia.
Life
Yusupha's father was Musa Ngum"Musa Ngum tribute concert held" , The Point (the Gambia), October 21, 2016. (also often spelled "Moussa Ngom"). Musa Ngum was a griot, and a highly successful singer in Gambia and Senegal. Yusupha followed in the griot tradition of his father."Jaaleekaay, a West African musical crossing point" , The Northern Star, April 22, 2016.
When he was growing up, Yusupha went to a Franco-Arab school in Senegal."Gambia: Jollofman - Music Unifies, Politics Divides" , Foroyaa, May 8, 2014.
Career
Yusupha started his music career by co-founding the rap band Galaxy Crew in 1998. With Galaxy Crew, Yusupha released three albums, Bamba (2000), Peace and Blessings (2001) and Toloff-Toloff (2004)."Gambia: Yusupha Ngum Determined To Reach The Zenith Of Music" , Foroyaa, December 7, 2007. Also reposted at .
Yusupha started his solo career in 2005, where he shifted to creating mbalax music. As a solo artist, Yusupha released his first album in 2006, titled Ndigal.
In 2007, Yusupha went on a two-month tour of Sweden."Gambia: Yusupha Ngum Blazing in Sweden", The Daily Observer, September 2, 2007. "Yusupha Ngum returns from Sweden" , The Daily Observer, September 19, 2007.
In 2009, Yusupha released his second solo album, titled Yaay Borom,"Whats On: Jolof man releases new album" , The Daily Observer, March 20, 2009. which reached no. 3 on the Gambian album charts."Top Ten Albums of The Week" , The Point (the Gambia), May 29, 2009.
In 2015, Yusupha released his third solo album, Golden Jubilee, to celebrate the 50th year of Gambia's independence."Yusupha Ngum Ndokaleh (Congratulations) Album Launch" (video) , YouTube, February 13, 2015.
In 2013, Yusupha along with two partners formed the Australia-based trio Jaaleekaay. In 2016, Jaaleekaay released their self-titled album."Jaaleekaay Album Launch Show" , Common Ground Byron Bay, April 21, 2016. In its review of the 2016 National Folk Festival, Scenestr described Jaaleekaay as "the band of the festival"."The National Folk Festival 2016 Review" , Scenestr, April 8, 2016.
Yusupha is currently based in Melbourne, Australia,"Africans are making a rich contribution to Australia’s contemporary soundtrack" , The Conversation (website), September 13, 2018. and is the lead singer of Yusupha Ngum and the Affia Band"Melbourne Band composes anthem for Senegal in the World Cup" , Salt : African-Australian news magazine, June 20, 2018. , JollofNews, June 19, 2018. and was the original lead singer of the band Ausecuma Beats."On Sydney Road, where Gambia meets Cuba via Japan and … Ballarat" , The Citizen, May 8, 2018.
In 2018, Yusupha Ngum & the Affia Band recorded a song, "Gainde", to celebrate the Senegal team's qualification in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The song was widely reported in the Gambian and Senegalese media."Yusupha Ngum Composes Song For Senegal’s World Cup Team" , The World News, June 20, 2018. "« Gainde » : Yusupha Ngum, fils de Moussa Ngom, chante les Lions" , SeneNews, June 20, 2018. "« Gainde » : Yusupha Ngum, fils de Moussa Ngom, chante les Lions" , Sen360.sn, June 20, 2018. "« Gainde » : Yusupha Ngum, fils de Moussa Ngom, chante les Lions" , SeneTribune, June 20, 2018. "« Gainde » : Yusupha Ngum, fils de Moussa Ngom, chante les Lions" , Africa News Hub, June 20, 2018. "Yusupha Ngum »Gainde»" , Xalima.com, June 21, 2018.
In July 2018, Yusupha appeared as part of an ensemble shot on the cover of Beat Magazine, representing the band Ausecuma Beats."Beat Magazine issue 1634: Leaps and Bounds Music Festival (cover)" , Beat Magazine, July 11, 2018.
After a performance at the Healesville Music Festival, the chair of the festival nominated the set by Yusupha Ngum & the Affia Band as one of the "stand out" performances, and named the band as one of three he listed as "among some of the big names that really pulled the crowds"."Hills music magnet" , Mountain Views Mail, November 13, 2017. Also at (page 1).
In 2019, Yusupha Ngum & the Affia Band included jazz fusion music in their repertoire at the Castlemaine Jazz Festival."Tempo builds for jazz fest" , Midland Express, May 14, 2019. "The Castlemaine Jazz Festival is back for its sixth year" , Beat Magazine, May 15, 2019. "Castlemaine Jazz Festival, Queens Birthday Weekend, June 8-10 2019" , CultureMad Lifestyle Magazine, June 29, 2019.
In 2019, Ausecuma Beats released their self-titled EP,"Ausecuma Beats Debut With Aida!" , Community Broadcasting Association of Australia, November 18, 2019. and released their self-titled album in 2020," Ausecuma Beats – Ausecuma Beats" , Discogs, November 20, 2020. with Yusupha on lead vocals on every track except for one vocal track and one instrumental track. Yusupha Ngum left Ausecuma Beats in 2020.
Accomplishments and awards
In 2009, Yusupha won the award for the "Most Radio Played Artist Male" category at the Gamspirit Music Awards."Oussou Njie Senior Received Life Time Achievement Award" , The Point (the Gambia), April 29, 2009. Another copy is at . "Whats On: All set for Gamspirit Music Awards" , The Daily Observer, April 16, 2009.
In 2015, Yusupha was nominated for both the "Best Mbalax Artist" and "Best Traditional Artist" categories of the Purely Gambian Entertainment awards."Purely Gambian Entertainment and Awards Night nominations announced: See the full list" , What's On Gambia, March 11, 2015.
Partial discography
Solo Albums: 2006 Ndigal 2009 Yaay Borom (#3 Gambia album chart) 2015 Golden Jubilee
With Galaxy Crew Albums: 2000 Bamba 2001 Peace and Blessings 2004 Toloff-Toloff
With Jaaleekaay Albums: 2016 Jaaleekaay
With Yusupha Ngum & the Affia Band Singles: 2018 Gaïndé
With Ausecuma Beats Albums: 2019 Ausecuma Beats (EP) 2020 Ausecuma Beats (album) Singles: 2019 Aida (#2 Amrap Metro Chart)"Amrap Metro Chart" , Amrap AirIt, November 18, 2019. "Amrap Metro Chart" , Amrap AirIt, December 2, 2019. 2020 Yelena 2020 Cherie
With Vellúa Singles: 2019 Ibra Fall
Partial videography
Solo Fans 2016 Fatou Remix 2017 Don Sa Bopp (with Jaliba Kuyateh and Tuti Sanyang) 2021 Maam Bamba Jerejeff (a capella)
With Galaxy Crew Mariama Fatou
With Yusupha Ngum & the Affia Band 2016 Taysito 2016 Citizens of this World 2018 Gaïndé
References