Laba Sosseh, born Laba Badara Sosseh on March 12, 1943, in Bathurst, British Gambia (now Banjul), was a Gambian singer. He began his musical journey as a griot and later joined the influential Star Band in Dakar, Senegal. In 1962, he left the band along with Dexter Johnson, who was creating Super Star de Dakar. By the late 1960s, Sosseh moved to Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, where he performed with other members of the band in a splinter group called Superstar de Dakar, which was later known as Liwanza. His breakthrough came in 1977 when he recorded for producer Aboudou Lassissi as part of Liwanza and subsequently visited New York City, working with Cuban sonero Monguito "El Unico" on the Salsa Africana series. Notable recordings include "Diamoule Mawo" (covered by Joe Arroyo as "Yamulemau") and collaborations with Orquesta Aragón in Paris. In 1998, Sosseh contributed to the Afro-salsa band Africando's album Baloba!, singing "Ayo Nene" and his signature tune "Aminata". He died on September 20, 2007, in Dakar after a long illness.
