Yaram Festival Shines with Gambian Stars: Njok Malick OBE, Nyancho & Maryama Cham Dazzle London

London – 23 August 2025

London’s cultural heartbeat pulsed with Gambian rhythm this weekend as the Yaram Festival lit up the UK capital with a celebration of heritage, artistry, and pride. The spotlight fell on three extraordinary talents whose presence turned the festival into a historic moment for Gambian culture on the global stage.

Njok Malick OBE Honoured for Cultural Legacy

Earlier this year, Njok Malick received the prestigious Order of the British Empire (OBE) from King Charles III, a recognition of his lifelong dedication to preserving and promoting Senegalese and Gambian arts. At Yaram, his peers paid tribute to his humility and influence, hailing him as a cultural custodian whose work has transcended borders.

Nyancho: The Summer Sensation of 2025

Fresh off a whirlwind tour across major UK cities, Nyancho took the Yaram stage by storm. Crowned the most booked artist of the summer, his electrifying performance was a fusion of tradition and modernity. Speaking to Mamo’s Media, he declared with pride, “I represent my country to make my country proud .” His signature hashtag #apachaky echoed through the crowd like a rallying cry.

Maryama Cham: Gambia’s Soulful Voice

Dubbed the “Tracy Chapman of Gambian Music,” Maryama Cham made her London debut with a performance that left an indelible mark on the hearts of festivalgoers. Her lyrical depth and musical intellect captivated audiences, cementing her status as a rising icon.

A Curtain Rises, Not Falls

Far from a finale, the Yaram Festival was a bold prologue—a declaration that Gambia, though small in size, is vast in talent. The event celebrated not just individual brilliance but a collective cultural renaissance, reminding the world that the Gambian artistic spirit is vibrant, global, and here to stay.

The Yaram Festival 2025: where tradition met triumph, and the world listened.