Sierra Leonean artist, Nabay dies
News & Trends •
popular sierra leonean traditional artist ahmed janka nabay has died in his home in northern sierra leonean district of kambia according to his band colleague pa fullah1 janka moved to the us in 2003 and returned home last year1 nabay known as the king of bubu music played the traditional music of the temne people of sierra leone who dominate the northern part of the country1 the music which has its roots in the sierra leonean muslim tradition is played with the traditional bamboo flutes1 nabayy 54 who died on monday was credited for being the first musician to record this version of music by reworking the bamboo flutes and metal pipes with electronic instrumentation hence the tag king of bubu music1 according to the dreadlocked artist was best known internationally especially in the united states where he relocated in 2003 and returned only in 20171 nabay and his bubu gang band made the bubu music popular in brooklyn and manhattan in the us1 fans have taken to twitter to mourn the musician1 according to karen alonzo janka nabay was so passionate about bringing the bubu sound of sierra leone to the world. it was such an honor to work with him i was new to the music industry as a whole like 2010 and he was the nicest human being ever. my heart is so sad1 ruby b. johnson @rubybjohnson said sierra leone has lost a legend but his legacy lives on. rip ahmed janka nabay king of bubu music. such an amazing man to have met and be around1