Omar Ndong better known by his music sobriquet as Dr Olugander, no doubt is one of the Gambia's top reggae star of the moment.

Over the past one year, the star has been working relentlessly both home and abroad to move his music to the next level. Earlier in 2008, Olugander has embarked on European tour, which gave him the opportunity to staged concerts in a series of European countries , among them, Germany, Spain, Holland. As  a result, he also built contacts with different artists, producers and those in the showbiz in that part of the world. In fact, in one of those concert he performed alongside the Jamaican renowned star Natty King.

Last week ,What's On  promised you an exclusive interview with Dr. Olugander (Gambian Reggae Superstar), after his 5-week visit to the United States, where he received an honorary award from a Gambian association in Atlanta, Georgia in recognition for his work and as Gambia's Top Reggae Star 2009.

Below is the full text of the interview, enjoy.it.

Welcome back home Dr. Olugander!
Oh thank the Lord Almighty (Allah) for making everything possible. We give thanks and praise to Him and thank you too for the ever-blazing fire of promoting Gambian music.

• You are back with an award; can you tell us a bit more about it?

Yes .am back home, sweet Mama land. Gambia, you can't cool... I am back with an international award I won in Atlanta, Georgia USA by AGERA (Atlanta Gambian Emergency Relief Association) at their annual Gambian reunion festival in early July, an event they hold every year. It's an honorary award in recognition of my work (both past and present) and as Gambia's Top Reggae Star 2009.

• What sort of association is AGERA and do you have any specific relationship with them?

Well,AGERA is a non-profit organization based in Atlanta, Georgia that looks after the interests and welfare of its members and Gambians in the Diaspora especially in Atlanta and its surroundings,  just as their full name (Atlanta Gambian Emergency Relief Association) implies... specific relationship?, well my song LITTLE GAMBIA from my previous album also called Little Gambia is actually their annual festivals' anthem and both myself and my record label, Gander's Productions have an excellent working relationship with them.

•  How was the ceremony and everything involved?

 It was a week  long ceremony in Atlanta and I want to sincerely thank AGERA and every Gambian and non-Gambian who attended it and for the mega welcome I received. It was beautiful and touching and I enjoyed every minute of it and the entire hospitality.

•  How do you feel being awarded by Gambians in the Diaspora?

 Though  I have received awards in the past (notably Best Reggae Artist 2007 by Njawara Youths and Sports Committee and Best Reggae Song 2008 with Run De Place by Gambia Talents and Saul Sound Promotions), I feel this one is extra special because it is an international award and to be frank, it's not everyday you hear of a Gambian artist receiving an accolade abroad. I feel deeply honored and it will only serve as further motivation and inspiration to work harder in spreading my wings towards international super stardom.

•  How long where you in the US , and did you perform at any other musical events?

 I was out there for 5 weeks and no I didnot perform at musical events because I was specifically in the US to receive the award.

•  While in the US did you visit any places of interest?

 Oh yes,  as a matter of fact I did. I visited both the Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr Memorial and his family home where he lived. I visited the CNN Center,  and also attended a Pan-African Conference (something very close to my heart) in Atlanta, where I also met Dr Julius Garvey, the son of the late and legendary Marcus Garvey.

•  How about extra work in getting contacts and maybe future deals out there?

 A musician needs contacts as a car needs fuel and as a fish needs water... Thanks be to Allah the Almighty in that I am lucky by knowing lot of important people out there who provided me with contacts I had to follow-up. Though things are at early stages but I have managed to meet very crucial members of the music industry especially the Reggae stars  and we will be working together and hopefully I'll be back there someday possibly with my band  members and other artists.

•  Talking of the future, how do you intend to travel next time?

 I would love to not only go with my full music band to play live music but also with maybe 1 or 2 more recording artistes. Younger musicians need support and exposure too and the only way they can get it is by going out there. Wherever that  will be, Bissau, Helsinki, Dakar or New York, anywhere.

You seem to have a very strong conviction about the issue of supporting younger and lesser famous musicians, where did that come from?
 Well, I am from the Ghetto and I worked my way all the way from down below to where I am at right now and it has always been a struggle so I know first hand how desperately young and upcoming musicians need not just financial support but overall care and advice of every positivity. And   which is why with Gander's Productions we are always looking at bringing on board talented and hungry artists to work with us.

• How many musicians have you signed so far to your label?

 Right now, we've officially signed Junior Gander, Sambu Da Unstoppable and Arte Nola. But we are still working on recruiting more talents  and for any aspiring musicians of every genre out there who believe they have what it takes. Let them just contact my manager Valentine Banajakey on 7216296 and we will take it from there.

•  After your return with the award, what are your immediate plans now?

Apart from having to grace the stage in a mega special manner this Sunday at Africell's Summer Beach Festival, my music label (Gander's Productions) have organized a 'welcome back home' show for me at Buffer Zone this coming Wednesday 19 August 2009 where other artists will be performing too and I will celebrate in a major way with my ever loyal fans.

• Any last word for now?

After thanking the Lord Almighty (Allah), I wish to thank my family and friends for the undying love and care. I thank AGERA for recognizing my work, Gander's Productions my other family for the wonderful job of looking after me, Africell my sponsors and partners, all media outlets especially Daily Observer and Paradise FM 105.5 and every Gambian music promoters and DJs and last but definitely not the least, all my fans both in The Gambia and abroad for their untainted loyalty and support.