There are showcases that alter the course of a career. Oumy Gueye’s was one of them – known also by her stage name OMG, a singer, rapper, and artist hailing from the Dakar region.
A Notable Appearance at MASA
In April 2026, she represented Senegal at the 14th edition of the Marché des Arts et du Spectacle Africain d’Abidjan (MASA), alongside choreographer Khoudia Touré and puppeteer Mamby Mawine, among sixty artists selected from twenty-eight African countries. It was in Abidjan that she asserted a new artistic direction: moving beyond the strictly rap-oriented image that had first brought her recognition, she unveiled an Afro-pop and Afro-urban sound, steeped in R&B, soul, and Wolof rhythms – a transformation that did not go unnoticed by the international programmers in attendance.
MASA: A Springboard That Delivers
It is no coincidence that so many artists regard MASA as an essential rite of passage. It remains one of the rare gatherings where a single performance can, within minutes, open the door to dozens of international markets: festivals, labels, broadcasters, and promoters attend precisely to identify the next African scene that will matter. For Oumy, this showcase served as a genuine catalyst, placing her firmly within the sights of major event programmers.
Bound for Rabat: Visa for Music 2026
Organised by ANYA Culture and Atlas Azawan, Visa for Music stands as the foremost music market and festival dedicated to Africa and the Middle East, with its 13th edition set to take place from 18 to 21 November 2026 in Rabat. It is there that Oumy now continues her ascent, within a lineup renowned for its diversity and artistic rigour. Having captivated West Africa, she is poised to reach an expanded audience across the Maghreb, the Middle East, and professionals from around the world – the natural continuation of the pan-African springboard that MASA provided.
A Momentum Already Underway Internationally
The timing is no accident: her EP Fleur d’Hibiscus, released on 3 July 2026, is described as her most personal work to date, carried by themes of renewal, identity, and openness to the world, and currently accompanies an international tour taking her through several cities across Europe and the United Kingdom. Visa for Music thus represents not an isolated triumph, but the continuation of a trajectory already in motion.
See You in Rabat
