K-DUMEN: 20-YEARS ON IN PNG MUSIC INDUSTRY (Part 1)
By Sylvester Gawi
One of the most convincing thing in his career is the ability to write and sing songs which can captivate people from all walks of life, age and even music lovers in the Pacific region. How amazing an ex-convict can sing and appreciate the efforts by hardworking police personels throughout PNG – the very people who went after him some years back.
In Morobe province, they call him “Trupla Kumul Blong Morobe” meaning Morobe’s true son. He is someoe who has promoted Morobe and sang about the diverse cultures and the beautiful people of his home province. Songs like Wopa Kantri, Wopa Medley, Busu Bris and now his recent compilations like Suena and Salamaua alongside Meriane Masani.
Nontheless, he also sang about other provinces and cultures of PNG. Most of them in true PNG contemporary beat that makes dancing moves easier.
After 22 years and Gayat is still maintaining his passion for music, coping with changes in music production and live performances.
He is encouraging young PNG musicians to rise up to the occasion and embrace music as an avenue to stay out of trouble. He also called on the government to enact laws that will protect copyrights of music and looks at addressing the welfare of musicians.
Do check us out on Part 2 of Gayat Lele’s success in the music industry of PNG and his latest association with young musicians under a new name “Dumen Extra”.
I sat behind my camera, cue him up with the first question as this outspoken man from Nabak, in Morobe province looks back at his musical career – Something he profoundly love doing even as an inmate for eight years.
Gayat Lele is his real name, apart from the renowned K Dumen which has been hitting the airwaves since 1994. Gayat has a taunting testimony of his musical career, a pathway which he chose over playing football.
Gayat Lele is his real name, apart from the renowned K Dumen which has been hitting the airwaves since 1994. Gayat has a taunting testimony of his musical career, a pathway which he chose over playing football.
He started his music career back in 1994 and recorded his first album in 1995 under Pacific Gold studios. Also with him was his younger sibling Spaiks Lele and Lister Serum. Lister was also looking for a recording contract after submitting several tape mix for approval by Chin H Meen Supersound studios.
K Dumen released his first album under PGS titled Busu Bris in 1995, with Lister Serum featured in the song Taurama Beach. His songs made it through the National Music Charts and the rest was history for Gayat.
Being a young energetic man emerging from a community riddled with drugs and alcohol abuse, he got involved in crime and ended up being convicted and sentenced to 8 years behind bars. His eight years in prison didn’t stop him from writing and composing songs for freedom.
He even had an album released during his term in prison. The album comprises of songs about life behind bars, becoming an advocate for freedom.
Shortly after leaving Barawagi correctional Institute in 2011, Gayat under Butuk recorded songs which have brought in a new taste of contemporary music for Papua New Guineans. Nono Dimugkra, Hidde Valley, Highway Patrol 17 were some of the hits back.
K Dumen released his first album under PGS titled Busu Bris in 1995, with Lister Serum featured in the song Taurama Beach. His songs made it through the National Music Charts and the rest was history for Gayat.
Being a young energetic man emerging from a community riddled with drugs and alcohol abuse, he got involved in crime and ended up being convicted and sentenced to 8 years behind bars. His eight years in prison didn’t stop him from writing and composing songs for freedom.
He even had an album released during his term in prison. The album comprises of songs about life behind bars, becoming an advocate for freedom.
Shortly after leaving Barawagi correctional Institute in 2011, Gayat under Butuk recorded songs which have brought in a new taste of contemporary music for Papua New Guineans. Nono Dimugkra, Hidde Valley, Highway Patrol 17 were some of the hits back.
One of the most convincing thing in his career is the ability to write and sing songs which can captivate people from all walks of life, age and even music lovers in the Pacific region. How amazing an ex-convict can sing and appreciate the efforts by hardworking police personels throughout PNG – the very people who went after him some years back.
In Morobe province, they call him “Trupla Kumul Blong Morobe” meaning Morobe’s true son. He is someoe who has promoted Morobe and sang about the diverse cultures and the beautiful people of his home province. Songs like Wopa Kantri, Wopa Medley, Busu Bris and now his recent compilations like Suena and Salamaua alongside Meriane Masani.
Nontheless, he also sang about other provinces and cultures of PNG. Most of them in true PNG contemporary beat that makes dancing moves easier.
After 22 years and Gayat is still maintaining his passion for music, coping with changes in music production and live performances.
He is encouraging young PNG musicians to rise up to the occasion and embrace music as an avenue to stay out of trouble. He also called on the government to enact laws that will protect copyrights of music and looks at addressing the welfare of musicians.
Do check us out on Part 2 of Gayat Lele’s success in the music industry of PNG and his latest association with young musicians under a new name “Dumen Extra”.
Thanks Mr Gawi for this wonderful post. Thanks nemba Mr Gayat Lele for your profounding music gift that you are continuously imparting the nation. I believe your music is very effective which all your songs lyrics are very meaningful despite todays musicians singing too much about women (meri)
ReplyDeletePlease I need all these volume one songs from this album busu bris.
ReplyDeletePlease notify me so I can send my email..
Thanks
Hi Mr Gawi, I'm actually doing my daughter's homework writing about an Local Artist singer and we had to choose K-Doman one of our favorite Artist, Would be able to give us his DOB.
ReplyDelete