Sundaygar Dearboy

Sundaygar Dearboy
Birth name Michael Davies
Born (1972-07-20) July 20, 1972
District 2, Grand Bassa County, Liberia
Genres Hipco, contemporary gospel
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter, performer
Associated acts Luckay Buckay, Friday The Cell Phone Man, Takun J, IAG, Mercy Sirleaf, Nimba Burr

Michael Davies (born July 20, 1972), popularly known by his stage name Sundaygar Dearboy, is a Liberian hipco singer, songwriter and record producer from District 2, Grand Bassa County.[1] He records primarily in Bassa and Liberian English; he has released several contemporary gospel songs. He produced "Let Us Vote Ma Ellen", the official campaign song for the Unity Party. The song was released during Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's 2005 presidential campaign.[2] Following the release of the aforementioned song, Dearboy's music career hit a political low for nearly four years. He revived his music career by releasing "Bayjay", a song endorsed by the Liberian populace.[3] The song won the Song of the Year award at the 2005 Liberian Entertainment Awards.[4] Dearboy has released several studio albums, including See Boyee, Don’t Live With Woman (2007) and Rebirth (2012). He was named the Liberian Musician of the Year in 2005 and 2006.[1] He has produced 13 albums to date.[5]

Life and music career

Sundaygar Dearboy was born in District 2, Grand Bassa County, Liberia. He is the father of two and the guardian of several others.[5] Dearboy graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice from AME Zion College.[1] He is the Project Manager for Liberia Trading & Investment Company (LINTRACO), one of Liberia's newest trading groups.[6] Dearboy has a huge following among Liberians in the diaspora, particularly in the United States. In an interview posted on Oberia.net, Sundaygar said: "Outside Liberia, my music is highly appreciated and supported by those who think my music helps virtually transport and reconnect them with their homeland. I find it gratifying that they support me. However, it is very disappointing that such support is not given to my music or artists locally. I also think that my music comes fore front as we rebuild our lives and try to reconsolidate our culture and tradition." Speaking on the challenges currently facing the Liberian Music Industry, Dearboy said: "Not many local artists listen to other music and try to emulate or learn from them. Plus, the local market is not accustomed to promoting what belongs to them. They prefer something from outside. Perhaps, the generally quality of production does not meet the standard as those produced in other countries."[5]

In 2007, Dearboy released Don't Live With Women, an album that contained the single "Bayjay" and the song "Evil Genius". The album was sponsored by Cellcom and launched at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium in downtown Monrovia. In an interview posted on The Liberian Journal website, Dearboy (commenting on "Evil Genius") said: "I just want to send out the message that in spite of the many evil geniuses around, we still can find others who are geniuses of goodness".[2]

On June 10, 2012, Sundargar Dearboy released his eight studio album Rebirth.[7] The album was distributed by RK Enterprises. It features guest appearances from Tupee, Carol Kaifumba, and Ghanaian artist Odefor. The album consists of 7 songs, including "Monkeh", "Zima-Day", "Gbemah" and "Genius of Goodness". "Gbemah" translates to "Women of Substance". "Monkeh" is a dancehall track while "Zima-Day" was recorded in an Afro-Caribbean tone. Dearboy spoke briefly about the album, saying: "songs must always be defined and interpreted but ‘Geniuses of Goodness’ can be attributed to philanthropists and others who are ordinarily extra in their [respective] fields.[8]

In June 2013, The Inquirer Newspaper reported that Sundaygar Dearboy and several other musicians criticized and belittled the establishment of the Arts & Culture Council of Liberia. They said that the organization does not, in any way, represent the views and aspirations of the Liberian Entertainment Industry.[9]

Notable performances

On May 26, 2007, Dearboy performed at UNIBOA's 17th National Convention in Woonsocket, Rhode Island.[1] On December 13, 2013, Sundaygar and other Liberian musicians performed at the National County Sports Meet (NCSM) official kick off which was sponsored by the Liberia National Culture Union (LINU) and the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT).[10]

NPFL controversy

In 2008, Dearboy admitted to being a member of Charles Taylor's defunct National Patriotic Front of Liberia rebel movement. During the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) public hearings, Dearboy said he was forcefully enlisted into the NPFL, in 1992, while searching for his girlfriend in Grand Bassa County.[11][12] Three witnesses said that Dearboy raped a young woman and murdered several men, women, and children in Grand Bassa County during the civil war. Dearboy denied the accusation leveled against him.[12] Dearboy expressed penitence for his role in the rebel movement, saying: "The past is what no one is in control of. No one is reading my mind except God. But I want to say if I hurt anyone during the war, I am sorry, very, very sorry from the depth of my heart. I am sorry for whatever role I played during the revolution."[13][14]

Awards and nominations

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
Year Event Prize Nominated work Result Ref
2014 Liberia Music Awards Artist of the Year Nominated [15]
Male Artist of the Year Nominated
Gbema Artist of the Year Nominated
Liberian Artist in Africa N/A
2009 Liberian Entertainment Awards Song of the Year "Bayjay" Won [4]
2008 Liberia Music Awards Best Artist of The Year Nominated
Best Music Video of The Year Won

Discography

Studio albums

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Sundaygar Dearboy Rocks Uniboa Convention". Sundaygar's Performance at the Uniboa Convention. Uniboa.org. Archived from the original on 29 October 2008. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 Bayjay, Nat (19 March 2013). "'The Rebirth of Sundaygar Dearboy'". The Liberian Journal. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  3. ↑ "President Sirleaf Observes First Anniversary". Executive Mansion.gov. 16 January 2007. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
  4. 1 2 "First Liberian Entertainment Award Gets Rave Reviews". The Liberian Journal. 28 April 2009. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  5. 1 2 3 "Sundaygar On The Future of Liberian Music". Sundaygar Dearboy's Interview. Oberia.net. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  6. ↑ "LINTRACO IDENTITIES WITH BUCHANAN HOSPITAL". The Inquirer. 13 September 2013. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
  7. ↑ "Rebirth - Sundaygar Dearboy". iTunes. 10 June 2012. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
  8. ↑ "Top Liberian Singer Sundaygar Dearboy To Release New Album". Sundaygar Dearboy's 8th Studio album. Nordic Africa News. 18 March 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  9. ↑ "Liberian Artists Oppose New Group…Encourage Colleagues To Attend Nat'l Confab". The Inquirer. 12 June 2013. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
  10. ↑ "Ahead of county meet official kick off: Culture Union, MICAT to hold social evening". Sundaygar Dearboy's NCSM Performance. Heritage Newspaper. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
  11. ↑ David, Alloycious (November 2008). "Sundaygar Admits Being NPFL Fighter". Uniboa.org. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
  12. 1 2 "Liberia's Musical Sensation Admits He Was A Taylor Rebel". Voice of America. 1 November 2009. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
  13. ↑ Kpargoi, James Jr. (4 December 2008). "Sundaygar Dearboy Admits Role in NPFL". Liberian Journal. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
  14. ↑ "Buchanan City: Day 1". Michael Davis TRC Hearing. Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Liberia. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
  15. ↑ "Liberia Music Awards Nomination Process". 2014 Liberia Music Awards. Liberian Music Awards. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
  16. ↑ "Sundaygar Dearboy - See Boyee". AllMusic. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
  17. ↑ "Rebirth by Sundaygar Dearboy". CD Baby. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
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