‘Supa Laj’ is only one aspect of Alhaji Turay
After his long absence from the Sierra Leone music spotlight, Supa Laj tells Salonejamboree he had reasons to stay out. The Brooklyn born Sierra Leonean artist, who is now a graduate in Computer Science, unveils his new projects, his relationship with Kao Denero and his plans to not only make his presence felt in his home country but to also break international barriers.
Supa Laj- the brilliant and handsome
My name is Alhaji Turay aka Supa Laj. I am a brilliant, clever, handsome and very talented young man of Sierra Leonean decent who was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York.
I am a Computer Network Administrator by profession and an African Rapper/Hip Hop Artist by hobby. I have been recording songs alongside my cousin Kao Denero and sending them over to Sierra Leone since my first visit to that country in 2002. To say that Sierra Leoneans have liked the songs that we have been recording is an understatement. Our music has been extremely well received. Together, we were able to establish and independent record label called Black Leo Records consisting of some of the best Sierra Leonean artists on the market. My musical career in Sierra Lone consists of, but not limited to, songs like: ‘Na De Club’, ‘Place 2 Be’, ‘Dreams’, ‘I Begg’, ‘Na Dis Na Rap’, ‘Supa Laj’, ‘Take Am Slow’, ‘Sugar Merecin(Remix)’, ‘Baby Nor Cry’, ‘Living My Life’, ‘Y U Mad’, ‘Blow U Whistle’, ‘Living Laj’, ‘We Rolling’, ‘So Fly’ and a new joint entitled ‘Badeye’.
New Year’s resolution
My New Year’s resolutions are many. They always are. Every year I try to have an organized way of making sure that I am somehow better than I was last year. One of my many resolutions is to start putting myself first as opposed to looking out or doing things to help or please those that I care about. I found that I was doing too much of that and not being selfish enough and many of my friends and family were taking that for granted. Also it’s hard to have someone help you when you need help. So I decided that this year I am going to pay more attention to my team’s star player, me. Also, every year my resolution is to live my life. A lot of times we are so focused on trying to accomplish so much that we forget to stop and smell the roses along the way. I vow to enjoy every moment of 2010: the good the bad and the incredible. I am also resolved to pay more attention to my music this year. Other than that I think that I am pretty much content with the way my life is going and the other minor changes that I want to make this year are either private or too minor to mention.
Most memorable moment in 2009
Well, my most memorable 2009 moment would probably need to be censored before it gets printed. However, I will go with one of my most memorable moments which may have been my being promoted at my job and receiving the Employee of the Year award. Growing up in BK (Brooklyn), I never really knew what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I knew that I could do whatever I wanted to but I had no idea what that was. I went to college at Old Westbury University in Long Island and I ran the streets hustling and getting into trouble for a few years and it was not until I moved out of New York to Philly (Philadelphia) and gave it some thought that I realized that because of my love for computers, Information Technology was the right career for me. I began attending ITT Technical Institute hoping to spark and encourage my interest while gaining valuable knowledge, expertise and credentials that would be essential for a successful career in the IT field. The nerdy kids in my classes were born into computers and seemed to be so far ahead in IT knowledge so it was a challenge at first.
Supa Laj- the conqueror
But since when have you known Supa Laj to back down from a challenge? After three and half years of blocking everything out and focusing on my studies I was able to secure a BSc in Computer Science. In addition I landed a job as the Network Administrator for the third largest collection company in the U.S. That was two years ago in 2007. Since then I have been promoted twice to lead Server Technician and being pronounced as Employee of the Year for 2010 was sort of like the icing on the cake for me. I have always prided myself on being able to adapt and conquer any situation that I am put in. For example, coming to Sierra Leone barely able to communicate in Krio and not knowing much about my country and then rising to be one of the most respected artists in the country. To me that is remarkable! Similarly, I was excited to have conquered yet another challenging situation by being promoted past my peers most of whom had more job experience. The award was nice, the ceremony was good, the salary increase was great and the bonus check didn’t hurt either. So I would have to say that along with the Black Leo Freetown Stadium show rally from East end to West end this past December, which seemed more like a presidential rally or a parade than a stadium show promo, I can honestly say that being promoted at my job was one of my most memorable moments in 2009.
Relationship with other Sierra Leonean artists
I am cool with pretty much every prominent Sierra Leone artist. The thing about Supa Laj is that I am first of all a fan of Sierra Leonean music. The fact that I can rap really well does not make me unable to appreciate and respect other artists that are also doing their thing. If you ask anyone who knows Supa Laj they will tell you that he is mad cool and down to earth. I am fascinated by the Sa Lone music industry and just happy to be a part of it all. We have all made history together. So I got love for and I respect the contributions of all other Sierra Leonean artists especially those who are too good to be ignored. I give them all their “props” because I know I want mine as well.
Some artists have issues
Yes. But I like to address stuff like that musically only because it is more fun. I don’t like to call names because if you listen to my lyrics you will know exactly who I’m referring to and why. You will know how I feel about certain situations. I generally take issue with artists who try to ignore our musical accomplishments and downplay us. Many of them just want to take our spot. Others feel like they deserve the attention we get. Some of them I may have dated their girlfriends or I may be wearing the ‘crape wey den been wan buy’ or many of them I don’t have a personal issue with but they may have a personal beef or issue with one of the other Black Leo artists or members which translates into a problem with me. I don’t give them much thought. You see when you are in the lead you don’t care who is trailing. I feel like if you get problem with Supa Laj the most easy going, easily loved, well respected brother well the problem is you. If you are tired of seeing me succeed you should probably commit suicide. Kill yourself! Go ahead and jump but I ain’t got no intention of stopping any time soon. There is not too much that you can do about it. Everywhere that you go they will be talking about Supa Laj and Black Leo for a very long time so get used to it. You should already be.
Relationship with Kao Denero
Fine. Kao Denero is my business partner, my label mate, my fellow Black Leo Crew member, my homeboy, my road dog, my nigga. But above all Kao Denero is my cousin. More like my brother. We are family. We are not really friends. I hardly speak to him, only when necessary. If we were not family and did not love each other we probably would not get along very well or at all. We are similar but very different. We have different views and values and a different outlook on life. We have different opinions and at times we even have different facts. For example, if you ask him he would tell you that he founded, implemented and established Black Leo all by himself. If you interview him chances are he will not mention my name. He probably won’t give me or anyone else much credit for the obvious contributions that were made to the success of our label. I don’t take offense to it because I know that that is just Kao. He feels like people are lucky to have been involved in this movement and should be thanking him. He does not credit Supa Laj’s success to his superb lyrics instead he might chalk it up to his affiliation with Kao. That is my analysis. But it’s only fair that I warn you, enemies of Kao are Enemies of Laj by default and vice versa. I may not want to find you and attack you on his behalf but don’t be trying to act all friendly with Laj and then talk trash about Kao because I definitely will take it personally. At the end of the day ‘I nor get bad bush 4 troway am and e nor ge bad bush 4 troway me’. I got mad love for Kao and I will never let anything happen to him so all folks hoping to divide and conquer the Leo…give it up. It ain’t gonna happen. I’m from the Brooklyn streets were loyalty is one of the first lessons that you learn. We are all so very different in so many different ways. That is what makes us so…… ILL.
Current projects
I am always working on something. I try to stay busy. This December Black Leo launched a compilation album appropriately named ‘The Untouchable’. I am currently wrapping up my second solo album titled: ‘Living Laj’. It may be released as a double album because since I took so long to put it out I really want the people to get what they have been waiting for. I am also shooting videos and working on producing a DVD. I also have intentions on dropping an LP titled: ‘The Lost Tapes’ a compilation of many of the songs that put Supa Laj on the map. Aside from promoting my upcoming album and DVD this should remind those who already knew and educate those who do not about Supa Laj. I mean people know that I can rap but I don’t think that everyone is aware of how nice I am; so I need to give them a reminder. Plus people miss things the first time around and they have selective memory. When they have all the hot Supa Laj songs and features in one place at one time they will be like wow I forgot about this one and I love this song oh yeah that was him too. That is the musical stuff because actually we don’t have enough time or ink to cover all of the projects that I am working on- a magazine, website, a NPO, a book, and a privately owned small business are some of the other things that I am working on.
Long absence from the game between 2008 and 2010
Absent? I am guessing that by absent you mean that I did not release any music in Sierra Leone during that period in time. Well the fans must remember that music although fun, interesting and great is not my primary source of income. So as exciting and wonderful and glorious as this Sa Lone hip hop game is I could not at that time give the game my undivided attention. I love my fans. I also know that I have been blessed with the talent and the opportunity to entertain and educate my people, and to embrace and advance Sierra Leonean culture. However, I must concentrate my energies to the things that advance me as a person. Supa Laj is only one aspect of Alhaji Turay. I would not want to walk or travel around bragging or rapping about having this and that then fans find out that I am unemployed or that I live in a small apartment with like 20 others or that I am uneducated and broke. Most people are smart enough to know that the real money is over here. Those that are rapping or singing for a living are in my opinion putting the cart before the horse and will eventually come around to my point of view. Even NBA players go to college first. You will soon see many artists acting as if the game is undesirable and taking some time off to go back to school. Now that I have a little degree, a decent job in my field and some real actual “Money na di bank” I can be more effective musically. The fans may have missed me but when I return stronger than ever they will forget my little two year hiatus. Also, Black Leo our squad has depth and there are many of us. The newer editions to the team need time to shine and do their thing as well.
Goals with music
When I started making songs for Salone and sending them over it was all about having fun, experimenting and showing off my rhyme skills but over the years I have come to realize my true purpose which is to represent Sierra Leone music and culture worldwide. Show the world that Sierra Leone is an interesting place with more to offer than war and corruption. We are proud, strong skilful people. Most countries already have musical representatives in the mainstream music world. I think that my style of rap gives me the power to move past cultural barriers. That does not mean that I am better than everybody else. That just means that my style has more of a chance to be appreciated by non-Sierra Leoneans than many other artists. When I am at home in Brooklyn on the block we have “ciphers” where rappers battle or display their skills. I win every battle because my style is different. I don’t rap about the block and hustling and guns or drugs. When I start spitting culturally conscious lyrics it separates and puts me in an international market and it makes me unique. So I aim to have my music break cultural and language barriers and bridge the gap between Africans and Americans. In other words the sky is the limit. I want a Kora, a BET honor or a Grammy would be nice but I will be satisfied if real brothers like myself put on their headphones and bop their heads to my joints and relate to me on a deeper level. As long as the true hip hop and rap fans respect and enjoy what I am doing I am cool.
Courtesy of Salonejamboree
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