The Vision
Sound System is not just a stack of speakers, amps and cables and can never be run by just one person. We believe that sound system culture can have a very positive impact on community developement and youth empowerment on so many levels
Almost every young Gambian you meet wants to leave their homeland for Europe and the western world in search of a better life. A desperate lack of investment in, or opportunities for, young people and an economy that just seems to be crumbling as the value of the Gambian Dalasi diminishes year by year is taking its tole on the youth.
Every year thousands of young Gambians risk their lives to take the 'Back Way' to Europe. Large wooden fishing pirogues leave the Gambian coast overloaded with up to 200 people onboard. They are heading north against the prevailing winds, currents and waves attempting to reach the Canary Islands and the promise of a better life in Spain. The journey is perilous and many loose their lives trying.
There is just a sense of hopelessness amongst the youth and the back way seems to offer the only chance of a way out. Even within our sound system 3 of our crew have attempted the journey and so many Youth from our town of Lamin leave every year.
Dende Sound is trying to offer a different story. We offer hope, opportunities, new skills and a sense of purpose and belonging that uplifts every one.
The young people who come to our events have a chance to enjoy themselves and forget about the troubles of life. We provide a platform for young artists and DJs to perform on a world class sound system and train in technical skills that can support their careers. Our events uplift communities by providing employment, not just to those working within the sound system but also business for Taxi drivers, venues, bars and food sellers and thus uplifting the whole local economy.
Sound System for Community Development
Technical Skills
Platform for artists
The knock-on effect
Empowering local youth through diverse hands-on experiences from building speakers to sound engineering or DJing on the radio. We get up to all sorts of things that offer transferable skills that can help in life.
Dende Sound offers a platform for young and up-coming Artists, DJs and MCs to perform on our fantastic sound systems giving them a chance to shine their light and develop their skills and careers.
Our events bring hope and good vibes where ever we go but they also bring trade to all sorts of other people including the taxi drivers, the food vendors, venues and a promoters creating a new economic ecosystem that helps uplift the local economy
Shipping Equipment
Dende Studio
International links
Every year we ship more equipment from the UK to develope our work and continually improve our sound systems. We are on a mission to create something incredible!
We are building our own studio and workshop as the new home for the sound system equipment and a space to work on it all. We hope to develope the space to become a recording studio as well that we believe will really uplift the whole project.
Sound system culture is now an international phenomenon and we regularly host selectors and artists from the UK and Europe to come and perform on our sound here in The Gambia. One day we hope to bring our selectors to play on our sound in the UK and to tour the festivals them selves.
Maintenance & Upgrades
Keeping the sound systems running and sounding great is an ongoing process and requires endless maintenance upkeep. We are also always trying to upgrade our equipment to be the baddest sound systems around!
Get Involved
COMMUNITY & PARTNERS
Heartfelt Gratitude
We are so grateful for all the help and support that we have received over the years. A special shout out goes to Mat Benzie, Bernard Mani and Nick Cain for the sound equipment and to Imalia Sullivan and Dave Dubs for the lap tops. Thanks every time to Amp Freqq for the ongoing support and to Gbay for all the shipping.
