De Great Steady Bongo

Biography

Lansana Sheriff, a.k.a. Steady Bongo, was born in 1966 in Daru, Kailahun District, Sierra Leone (West Africa). From an early age, he performed on stage, imitating musicians such as the legendary Big Fayia, Samile, Eric Donaldson, and Prince Nico. He hosted a program called "Variety Time" at the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Service. His first album, Ready Before You Married, was released in 1991 and became an instant success. The 1996 release, Kormot Bi En Me, received the Best Album Award and had record-breaking sales. It was the first of Steady Bongo's records to be released on CD in the US. Welcome to Democracy and Born for Suffer followed in 1998 and 1999. Steady Bongo is considered one of the most popular artists in Sierra Leone. more

Contact: email

YouTube

Discography:

- Ready Before You Married (1991)
- Law Operation (1992)
- The World Dae bad Everday (1993)
- Gimi Before or Die (1994)
- Love is the Only Way (1995)
- Ar nor Mix Again (1995)
- Victory SLPP (1996)
- Kormot Bien Me (1996)
- Welcome to Democracy na Salone (1998)
- Born foh Suffer (1999)
- Ar de Make (2001)
- Wake Up Against HIV/AIDS (2003)
- Wake Up (2004)

RSLAF & Steady Bongo / Video CD (2005)

Working with the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, the United States Government is proud to sponsor another nationwide HIV/AIDS tour by internationally acclaimed musicians Steady Bongo and the Cultural Heroes. Steady and his band will perform live and free of charge all across Sierra Leone and the concerts will feature music from their newly recorded album “RSLAF and Steady Bongo” so don’t miss it. The album and concerts are all about reconciling and repairing military-civilian relations through music, and as Steady says: “watch out for HIV/AIDS. It is real and it kills.” Concerts for all Sierra Leoneans to attend, civilian and military were held at the RSLAF barracks in Kambia, Kabala, Makeni, Kono, Yele, Pujehun, Bo, Kenema, Kailahun, Daru, Moyamba.

"Combat Ready" Concert:
His Excellency the President, Alhaji Dr. Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, was the distinguished Guest of Honour at the final staging of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces/Steady Bongo concert on HIV/AIDS at the Wilberforce Hockey Pitch Saturday night, 27th September, 2003.

2003 Bo and Kenema Peace Festivals
"Change you way and lek Salone"

14 June, 2003: UNHCR World Refugee Day and African Child Day. Musical performances by the local artist, Steady Bongo, with specific songs for this year's WRD.
"Young people should be at the forefront of global change and innovation. They can be key agents for development and peace. If they are left on society's margins, all of us will be impoverished". (U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan)

Crystal Corner Bar, Madison WI
US Tour 2000

Web Gallery

FUNDS RAISED FOR
Youth Musical Center in Sierra Leone

Steady Bongo is partnering with Talking Drum Studio to provide a space for youth to use music to engage in constructive dialogue for the development of Sierra Leone, which local youth built.

Sierra Leone’s youth are largely impoverished and disenfranchised, with few opportunities for education, employment, or a voice in society. This situation was a major factor in Sierra Leone’s 10-year civil war, which ended in 2001. This center will serve Bo District’s large youth population, comprised predominantly of excombatants. As it grows, it will serve as a resource to youth from around the country.

This project brings war-impacted children together in a safe forum. These children use music to recover from the effects of war and to build constructive relationships with each other. These relationships will help ensure a peaceful Sierra Leone.

Steady Bongo, one of Sierra Leone's most popular musicians, helps launch Radio Kailahun by playing in an opening-day concert celebrating a community's commitment to peace and progress.

Search for Common Ground/Talking Drum Studio (TDS)Talking Drum Studio (TDS) continues to promote innovative ways of disseminating information to encourage peace, reconciliation and informed participation on public affairs. TDS visited Kono with a famous local artist, Steady Bongo, on a musical tour called "The Road to Peace." TDS and Steady Bongo conducted a joint interview with General Issa Sesay and Gibril Massaquoi of the RUF during which both men stated their commitment to disarm. see USAID Field Report: SIERRA LEONE