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Joseph Gerald Adolphus Cole, commonly known as DSAJ - 2004 BBC's No.9th Musician in Africa, Premier Media Award winner, African KORA Awards Exceptional Artist, the producer behind one of Sierra Leone's most popular songs “Corruption E Do So,” is known as one of Sierra Leone's leading stars, but not much is known about his background. Who is DSAJ? A question many of his numerous fans across the world have been asking.
Sierra Leone's lyrical warrior, DSAJ, was born in Freetown, Sierra Leone. He attended the Saint Anthony Primary School, and later the Government Model Secondary School where he acquired his Secondary School education, and later furthered to the Freetown Trade Center, were he attained his City & Guilds in building construction.
DSAJ comes from a Christian home, a Krio by tribe. He started his career at the age of 8, as an ordinary church chorister, and became one of Sierra Leone's leading musical ambassadors. ''I can still recall at the age of 14, when I started going to Island Studios, I had this drive inside me that I would one day make it in the world of music. To God be thy Glory,” he said.
In 1997 when the war broke out in Freetown, DSAJ left for Conakry, the capital of neighboring Guinea, as a refugee. During this period of time in Conakry, DSAJ gained a great deal of experience in his musical collaborations with many rappers, from French countries like Senegal, Guinea, and the Ivory Coast, such as MC Chanana, Bill de Sam, Daara G, Jimmy B, Kao Denero, and many others. He composed many instrumental beats which he later improved on when he returned back home to Sierra Leone.
Fortunately for DSAJ, Paradise Records, owned by Jimmy B, (known widely as the Godfather of Sierra Leonean musical industry) had established his own label to promote local talents. After the recording of songs like “Salone Na We Yone,” “Baby Joe,” and “Congratulations,” which were all recorded at the Paradise Studio in 2001, the ‘Lyrical Warrior's' musical career took a U-turn and he decided to setup his own label “DSAJ Entertainment.” ''It's time for me to move on, Jimmy B remains a mentor and a huge influence in my career” DSAJ lamented.
The next milestone in DSAJ's career was when he produced his most famous album to date - “Corruption” (with KallBox records, owned by popular football star, Mohamed Kallon). The album instantly went to platinum and “Corruption” E Do So” has since been rated as Sierra Leone's most popular international song. This song brought him the award of “The Best No.9 Musical Artist in the Whole of Africa”, in 2004 by the BBC. The song became an anthem just three weeks after it was released in Freetown.
Because of bad government, corruption has been affecting my people, and many other people in the continent of Africa. Therefore, I use my music to sensitize people to the fact that corruption is not a way of life; it is a disease that affects the development of the nation. This is what the song “Corruption” is all about and the fight against this disease must be united.”
Other great albums of DSAJ include, “Faya for Faya,” with the tracks “The Sorriest Part,” (a song prophesizing that Sierra Leone will be like a paradise in 2007), and “Maria” (featuring Base Alphonix), and not forgetting his latest album, “Vote D.S.A.J.” featuring the song “One Love,” collaborated with mogul Nasser Ayoub, and the controversial song “Watermelon Politics.”
FACTS ABOUT DSAJ:
• Started music at the age of 8.
• Rated BBC'S “Best No.9 Musical Artist in the Whole of Africa.”
• Premier Media Award winner.
• First and former President of the Union of Musicians, SL.
• The first artist to represent Sierra Leone in the KORA awards in South Africa, 2005.
• Took the opportunity to advocate for the representation of anti-corruption in Sierra Leone by songs such as 'Corruption E Do So' which is one of the highest selling albums in the history of music in Sierra Leone.
• Trained in the Martial Arts
DISCOGRAPHY:
• “Salone Na Wi Yone,” 2001
• “Corruption E Do So,” 2003
• “Den Say Den Say,” 2004
• “Faya for Faya,” 2005
• “Vote D.S.A.J.,” 2007
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