Monrovia – FrontPageAfrica Editor Rodney D. Sieh has teamed up with veteran reggae sensation, Nasseman and iconic video producer Alexander (Usher) Wiaplah to produce, The Boy from Gibraltar, a hit reggae sound penned by Nasseman and mixed by Master Lzee of Las Vegas Studios, that will serve as the official music of the book.
“I wanted to give readers a glimpse of what to expect from the book which I have labored for five years to put together. I am grateful to Nasseman and Usher for agreeing to do this, in an environment that is often polarizing and lacking tolerance to free speech and criticisms,” lamented Sieh, ahead of the release of the song and music video.
Nasseman, whose real name is Rabbie Nassrallah, is known for his fiery lyrics and activism stance on some of the burning issues of the day. After witnessing the devastation of Liberia’s 1989 – 2003 civil war, the period helped the artist to shape his strong sense of social justice.
“I chose Nasseman because I am a big fan of his music and I thought he was the best artist in Liberia today, who understands the project of the Weah story and who I believe is best suited to visualize the story. Usher was the icing on the cake. He is the ultimate professional, who understands his craft and is undoubtedly the best video producer in Liberia.”
https://audiomack.com/mezonicmusic/song/the-boy-from-gibraltar
Nasseman began performing when he was eleven and rose to prominence in 2005 with the hit “Till We Meet Again”, written in memory of his mentor Ras Katata. He has spent the intervening years honing his talent and is now an accomplished songwriter, penning lyrics for Liberia’s hip-hop, R&B, and gospel artists.
The reggae songs he writes for himself are influenced by Bob Marley, Nasio Fontaine, Buju Bonton, and Sizzla Kalonji. He mainly focuses on social ills, raising awareness among his fellow Liberians about how their society could be. Demonstrating his commitment to supporting his community, Rabbie served as an HIV/Aids Ambassador in 2010. While Rabbie sees his music as a vehicle for change, he can also cut loose; his albums feature love ballads and club hits.
On the Boy from Gibraltar, the artist draws contrasts and contradiction of some the missteps of the Weah administration while also chronicling the President’s successful career as one of the greatest footballers of his generation.
“My music is a conscious message to the oppressed, to help motivate, elevate their soul. I hope that the energy in my lyrics gives them hope for another day,” says Nasseman.
I chose Nasseman because I am a big fan of his music and I thought he was the best artist in Liberia today, who understands the project of the Weah story and who I believe is best suited to visualize the story. Usher was the icing on the cake. He is the ultimate professional, who understands his craft and is undoubtedly the best video producers in Liberia, in my opinion
– Rodney D. Sieh –
In addition to opening of Akon, when the veteran Senegalese Hip-Hop artist visited Liberia in 2006, Nasseman was also a headliner for President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s 2006 inauguration. He has also opened for or collaborated with top regional artists, including Nigeria’s 2Face Idibia and Black Face, Sierra Leone’s Emerson, and Ghana’s V. I. P. Boys, Ofori Amponsah and Castro.
Over the last six years, Usher, a television consultant and businessman, has been working on a series of international and national projects, which include documentaries, television shows, and music videos.
He is the recipient of multiple awards and nominations including best filmmaker, best director, best film of the year as well as best music video director.
Usher was the only African from West Africa to work in a Hollywood movie, River Runs Red as a camera assistant. He is renowned for changing the standard of music videos and movies in Liberia and has shot, directed, produced, co-produced, and edited many award-winning films including Wheel and Deal, River Runs Red, In the Shadow of Ebola, The Land Beneath, and Baby Chimp Rescue.
Usher is co-founder and CEO of Ush Production Inc., where he teaches basic camera operations and video editing to young talent in the community.
In addition, he has worked for some of the top broadcast stations worldwide, including CNN, NBC News, ARD TV, and ITN Channel 4.