With the track “Makossa phoenix” from his last album, Makossa heavyweight Ben Decca confirmed what most people had been saying for a while: the death of Makossa. But wait a minute. Was Makossa so dead that Ben Decca had to celebrate its resurrection with a track? I beg to differ. Since Makossa stopped getting the same continental recognition it had been enjoying in the 80s through artists like Toto Guillaume and Ekambi Brilliant, some people quickly declared its death, made an autopsy and are burying it. Despite these pessimistic declarations about Makossa, it is good to know that the rhythm isn’t dead, it is simply marking time. People have the feeling that Makossa is dead because of the influx and popularity of foreign genres. But this situation shouldn’t be taken to mean Makossa is dead. Makossa has sure lost its former glamour and status worldwide. But it is alive and could fair better if some Makossa artists started trying to internationalise the sound by fusing it with other rhythms. We now live in a multicultural society where people need to see or hear a part of themselves in another’s enterprise before connecting with it. This is what some Makossa gurus haven’t understood and nostalgically cling to some lost perception of Makossa as their sole preserve which shouldn’t be desecrated. Makossa no longer belongs to the Sawa. It is now national and for it to return to the world stage , it needs to evolve. Contemporary Makossa cannot and should not sound like old school Makossa because each generation has unique musical craving that must be catered to. Lucky enough, some young musicians are trying to make this happen with concepts like Hip-makossa. Let’s just hope that the main men in the industry understand this. If they don’t then the feeling that Makossa has died will continue. Makossa is fortunately just marking time.
One of the greatest problems faced by Cameroonian artists is piracy. The issue has been worsened by the advent of computer technology as well as an apparent lack of political will to do any thing concrete or should we say effective. There have certainly been no short of meetings, workshops, seizure drives as well as mass burning of seized pirated c.ds but the phenomenon continues. While the industry in the U.S has significantly shifted away from depending on c.d sales to maximising new chic avenues like itunes amongst others, we in Cameroon are still trying to see if we can confront the issue head-on. This is clearly not working. What then could be the solution to this problem in Cameroon in particular? Permit me be radical and propose a radical move: why not stop producing c.ds altogether since it’s even too expensive? Why not focus on quality and endeavour to make smash hits that will bring you endorsements and bookings for tours? Why not explore this option? I am conscious of how “apparently crazy” this suggestion may sound but please if seizing and burning hasn’t worked why not contemplate something new and fundamentally different. This suggestion is based on the thought that since artists are the ones who dictate the way music is released, and by ricochet have a say in the way it is consumed, they can changeconsumers’habits (or should I say affirm these habits because consumers are already changing) by engineering this revolution. I know this suggestion will fall on deaf ears and trigger a barrage of virulent criticisms because of how much we loath change especially when it is articulated by one of our own. I hope however that somebody is listening because the public’s infatuation with c.ds is over. People now prefer using their phones, ipods, and other USB-fitted music -playing devices to consume music. Those concerned should thus know that making this revolutionary radicalchoice would be going with the current and not against it. This option does surely include some form of sacrifice from the artists as they will have to forgo any income from c.ds sales. This will not be a death penalty as they can replace this with other sources like demanding fees for appearances and others. Nothing good comes easy. Are we together?
Cameroonian music trio X-Maleya are set to release a brand new video. The track is entitled “I go tell” and is off their latest album “Tous ensemble” that contains a litany of hits. Shooting recently wrapped in Yaounde and was done at 2 a.m. This didn’t stop die-hard fans and taxi-drivers working the night shift to storm the site. Anticipation is already building around this video release given that the title gives the impression the guys will be singing in pidgin English. The guys already have a wide appeal and if this track turns into gold like everything they touch then their appeal will even be wider. While waiting for this new video, let’s offer ourselves past pleasures like their “Tchokolo” hit.
Cameroonian urban artists Denzyl is set for the release of the music video for his hit track ” Leave am so”. Shooting wrapped recently and was done by one Cameroon’s finest music directors; Febraury 16. The track was written and produced by Jovi Le Monstre. If everything moves as scheduled, the video should be out soonest. This track is a prelude to his album which should be out by November this year. Going by the caliber of persons around this project, one can only wait and hope for the best.
It wasn’t surprising to hear that some Cameroonian artists were planning to protest against the P-Square concert. Any keen observer and blogosphere fan must have seen the signs after the Akon concert. Back then some Cameroonians were angry that Cameroonian artists had been paid peanuts as compared to the payload handed to the American hiphop megastar. What has however been surprising is the calibre of people spearheading this march of shame. A veteran musician like Romeo Dika should know better than mislead aspiring musicians. The entertainment industry is a jungle where only the fittest survive and let’s be patriotic to the truth and admit it; our music hasn’t been fit for a while now. Mr. Romeo Dika should carry out a survey in Cameroon and see how many people know the title of his last album or can hum a chorus from any of the tracks on that album. For the entertainment industy, globalisation and the market economy system mean that our artistic products will have to compete with those from outside. And if ours aren’t up to par then our artists will lose endorsements. If Mr. Romeo Dika and co. want to be paid a 100 million frs cfa to perform they should produce an album overflowing with intercontinental hits so that a company knows their brand will reach millions when they contract them. Endorsing an artist for such huge sums isn’t done out of sentiments. It is a business strategy in which the artist and company must both win. If any company was to give any of the protesting Cameroonian artist a 100 million frs to perform it will surely not get back its money worth. I know some people will talk of a company’s socialresponsibility but when you pay an artist such a sum,he/she benefits not the community. The mobile phone company shouldn’t give in to blackmail because if it does, it will be encouraging mediocrity. Let our artists go to work so that one day a foreign company can give them millions to perform abroad. Mr Romeo and Co. should stop brandishing their mediocrity for the world to see. Let them go into their studios and produce songs that resonate across the continent and why not the world. Until they do this, they will come across as a mediocre bunch begging for handouts because they don’t have what it takes to survive in the tough world of entertainment. Are we together?
Buea-based budding fashion designer Reneta Ndisang keeps making fabolous strides in bringing style , classiness, uniqueness, and beauty closer to you through her breath-taking avalanche of designs. Inspired by colours of the world, her brand new collection has a remarkable touch of African glamour and originality. If you pride yourself to be a sucker for fashion, this is definitely where your heart desire lies. For all parties , Afroshic is ready to serve you with mouth-watering outfits !. NexDim caught up with her after unveiling this collection and she states ; ”It is my way of saying thank you to all the people in the world and especially to the women out there” . Reneta is currently gearing up to design flamboyant Red Carpet clothing for Cameroon Entertainment Awards scheduled for July.
Skillful Fashion Designers keep sprouting in Cameroon as days go by . Young , passionate and elegant up and coming designer Banyi Manuela portrays her dexterity and utter commitment to Fashion through her new Clothing Collection called ”Heartbeat Collection”.
Heartbeat Collection is a new creative fashion line inspired by the aim to bring out the physical beauty and potentials of those who wear them. It’s chic ! , it’s glamorous in all facets. Manuela’s over-reaching exhibit of creativity goes with the memorable phrases; ” where your heart is,there your treasure lies. Never give up until your heart stops beaten”.
With input from sportsmen and now artists, Cameroon is carving an enviable place for itself on the world scene. One musician who is helping fly our national flag sky high is world famous baritone Jacques Greg Belobo who is the first ever African to be nominated for the BBC-sponsored “Best Singer in the World” award in the 90s. Despite his humble beginnings, the singer has become a household name in the world of classical music. After walking away with the first prize in various national competitions, he got a scholarship upon winning an international singing competition in Coted’Ivoire and entered the National Conservatory of Music in Nice,France. He later got into the HigherNational Conservatory of Music and Dance in Paris from where he obtained a higher diploma in singing in 1998. This far, he has amassed over ten major international awards and performed classics by icons like Mozart. He is now a successful singer who has performed all over the world and ran workshops. As a patriot, he has participated in various national ceremonies and plans to set up a music conservatory in Cameroon. Who said Cameroon didn’t have talents?
Woman already have a hard time being women in this macho world and so one can imagine it is not any easier being a woman in the entertainment industry. There is a prevailing prejudice against female artists since they are all wrongly considered loose morally. In Cameron while it is common knowledge that there is an unfair presumption of moral guilt against female musicians, we must say that some, far from trying to erase this stereotype, are feeding into it. Listen to Chantal Ayissi sing that “la femme africaine est une voiture, il faut l’entretenir ehh..” and Majoie Ayi sing “les hommes paniquent à cause de Majoie” then see the gyrating that follows no comment. Such verses only affirm the cliché and don’t do justice to the accomplishments of female artists. Since female artists have a pre-existing handicap when venturing into and evolving in the music industry, they should refrain from such self-demeaning opinions since it only increases the prejudices from which they suffer as brands? By broadcasting such views through their music, they promote the wrong perception of female artists in particular and women in general as loose. Do we agree?
Makossa queen Grace Decca has hinted that her next musical offering will be gospel. She made this declaration recently while speaking to reporters at the end of a come together between Cameroonian artists and the Minister of Culture. The singer said that in her next album she will be singing for the Lord. She equally said it will be available soon and shall comprise 13 tracks. Whether this declaration means she is now a born again or is simply dedicating an album to God, one cannot tell. However, her declaration puts her in the same group as some Cameroonian artists like Petit-Pays who have been showing signs of a spiritual awakening of some sort. Until the album is released we will never be sure whether the woman who sang “I need some love” now needs God. Whatever the case, this declaration will surely generate some anticipation around the album.
With the track “Makossa phoenix” from his last album, Makossa heavyweight Ben Decca confirmed what most people had been saying for a while: the death of Makossa. But wait a minute. Was Makossa so dead that Ben Decca had to celebrate its resurrection with a track? I beg to differ. Since Makossa stopped getting the same continental recognition it had been enjoying in the 80s through artists like Toto Guillaume and Ekambi Brilliant, some people quickly declared its death, made an autopsy and are burying it. Despite these pessimistic declarations about Makossa, it is good to know that the rhythm isn’t dead, it is simply marking time. People have the feeling that Makossa is dead because of the influx and popularity of foreign genres. But this situation shouldn’t be taken to mean Makossa is dead. Makossa has sure lost its former glamour and status worldwide. But it is alive and could fair better if some Makossa artists started trying to internationalise the sound by fusing it with other rhythms. We now live in a multicultural society where people need to see or hear a part of themselves in another’s enterprise before connecting with it. This is what some Makossa gurus haven’t understood and nostalgically cling to some lost perception of Makossa as their sole preserve which shouldn’t be desecrated. Makossa no longer belongs to the Sawa. It is now national and for it to return to the world stage , it needs to evolve. Contemporary Makossa cannot and should not sound like old school Makossa because each generation has unique musical craving that must be catered to. Lucky enough, some young musicians are trying to make this happen with concepts like Hip-makossa. Let’s just hope that the main men in the industry understand this. If they don’t then the feeling that Makossa has died will continue. Makossa is fortunately just marking time.
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