Anzhi F.C ‘s Cameroonian striker Samuel Eto’o has surely settled in well to life in Russia. Not only has he been banging in the goals, the player has equally been into music. Along with his Cameroonian team mate Benoit Angbwa, Eto’o recently featured on the track of Russian rapper Timaro. If you want to see Eto’o from a whole new angle, do well to watch this video.
It is not uncommon to hear some Cameroonian musicians lace their singing with French if they sing primarily in English or English if they sing mainly in French. This has made some budding artists to think singing in two or more languages is an asset. Permit me think it is not. While every artist is free to sing as he/she pleases, it is hoped that the reason for this is not to reach a wider audience. If this is the reason then there are at least two problems with this way of seeing things.Firstly, such a view is implicitly based on the view that linguistic diversity is an obstacle to the exportation of music. This is certainly not the case when we know that Cameroonian artists like Richard Bona are popular although they sing in their native languages. Secondly, if artists believe that singing in more than one language will get them acclaim in more than a community then they are underlooking the power of their talent to enable them connect with people with whom do not share the same language. Let’s remember that music can still exist even without words being uttered. Furthermore,when an artist has a limited view of his/her talent then it will be difficult to convince a producer. This is because as business people, producers would like to invest in somebody whose music can echo loud even in communities speaking a different language. Budding musicians should avoid having such a defeatistattitude because it might cage their talent. They should endeavour to borrow many leaves from artists like Henry Dikongue and a host of others who all sing in their native languages but are heard worldwide. This issue equally concerns other artists who sing in their native tongue but often inject French and English into their songs. If you sing only in your mother tongue and are talented, you will still connect with people. Language should not be seen as an obstacle to how high an artist can soar because talent and only talent is the propeller of every carrier.
The wait is finally over. The much-anticipated Lotus SP album from Cameroonian rap artist Melcube has finally dropped. The artist made this known via his facebook page. Now that the album is finally available, critics and fans alike will get a chance to judge for themselves whether the Buea-based hiphop artist is worth platinum or not. Let’s remember that in a recent chat with nexdimempire.com, Melcube suggested that this album was his best work yet. So, if you want to see (or should I say hear) whether the album is worth the hype, grab your copies rightaway by calling 70-31-98-81,75-02-54-38. Let us know what you think about the album.
Here she goes again. Cameroonian soul princess Danielle Makedah Eog has offered connaisseurs and fans of soul another chance at musical delight. “Hiphop nation” is her latest. As usual, it is a brilliant piece of soul music with a sassy hint of hiphop. Like the virtuoso that she is, she keeps it simple yet classy. This song triggers thoughts of other soul greats like Erykay Badu and Musiq Soulchild. Despite her artistic brilliance, Danielle Eog is yet to get widespread recognition here in Cameroon given soul’s newcomer status in the mainstream Cameroonian music landscape. Pending a massive hit that will make her and soul known to the wider public, she is, in my humble, destined for the world music scene where she will surely soar. Enjoy this track.
InCameroon, the expression“diaspora-based artist”is exceedingly common. It is so common that it echoes duringsomeaward ceremonieswhere specialaward categorieshave been created to celebratediaspora-basedCameroonian artists. But the more one thinks of it the hollower it becomes. ForgetRichard Bona, Charlotte Dipandaand others. Forget all these big guns whose music marches across frontiers and gets standing ovations. Let’s focus on those who are intourban music; the kind of music which should be broadcast on MTV, Traceand co. I increasingly get the impression this expression is a misnomer. By diaspora-based artist, we expect the artist to not only reside in aforeign countrybut also do their music there. In fact, he/she should be musically relevant there. But it is common knowledge that most of thesediaspora-based artistsonly become artists when they want to come back home especially at Christmas and New year. These artists are musically unknown in the countries where they reside and are artists only by name. Most of these so-called diaspora-based artists only perform and become musically relevant when they come home. In the diaspora, they are more famous for every thing but their music. So, such we not rethink this label and be more selective of who is a diaspora-based artist? If diaspora-based artist means living and exercising your art first and foremost in the diaspora, thensome Cameroonian artists who are so labelled should not be nominated in this category during award ceremonies because their music,for which they are nominated, is only known and broadcast at home. Do we agree?
Just Wôan is one of Cameroon’s finest uprising stars whose vocal dynamics , dexterity and charisma are absolutely enthusing and dazzling . Yea ! I watched him sing live today on ”Canal Martin” and wowed . His debut album ”Des Reines” will certainly captivate attention across Cameroon and the world. The Afro-soul and R&B sensation shall offer a free album launch concert today 8 pm, at American Graffiti, Akwa, Douala. Just Woan shall be accompanied by percussionist Roddy Ekwa of Macase , bassist Herve Mboma and traditional guitarist , Ali Kaka. Just Woan has been booked to perform at the Francofolies in Montreal, Canada in June and later in Paris.
Despite the crowd one finds on the music scene, some artists just have something unique that makes people pay attention. One of such unique artists is Rough Kumbaboy a.k.a BabyAfrica. Born in Kumba – Cameroon July 1986, he travelled to the U.K In October 1999 where he was immediately drawn to Grime music -a musical genre that started in London. After a few years, Rough Kumbaboy joined a group called J.P.S consisting of himself and two Nigerians. Together ,they recorded an album titled HOME & AWAY in 2008. In 2009, they were nominated as best group during the annual Young Achievers’ Award held in the U.K. In 2010, the group split and Rough Kumbaboy went solo; recording a couple of unreleased rap songs. With his talent and musical vision, he has come up with a special musical offering known as Bendskin rap. It has resonated deeply with Cameroonians and Africans in general and this has enabled the artist to be invited to perform live in events held all over Europe and in Cameroon. Rough Kumbaboy was nominated in the best rap and best originality category during the CUMA awards held in Cameroon. RoughKumbaboy will be performing live in Belgium on the May 20th in an event organised by the Cameroonian community in Brussels. With such a rich and exciting journey, what more can one say? Music is one talent and genre richer. Enjoy the bendskin rap below as irresponsibly as possible.
A new prodigy has joined the evergrowing ranks of Cameroonian hiphop. Magasco as he is known has just dropped his first official release entitiled “Line loba“. The track is off his upcoming ” Bamenda Boi” lp jointly produced by Mumak/Scratch Records. With the cool, flow and swag of a pro, this new kid on the block makes a great entry and is sure going to treat fans to a series of club-banging hits. If you have any doubts just listen.
While some consume it blindly, others are offended that Cameroonian films increasingly look like Nollywoodfilms. They are uncomfortable with hearing expressions like “toufia” , “amen oh amen” and a whole string of other things that have a Nollywood colouration. Their position is understandable because it seems like our own culture has been forsaken and we have been “invaded” and “overpowered” on the cultural front. It is however worth noting that there are reasons for this which have nothing to do with our being “invaded” or overpowered. If our films are supposed to be a reflection of our Cameroonian society then it is only logical that our films should look like Nollywoodproductions. Given the popularity of these films in our country, some of these Naija mannerisms and expressions have creeped into our way of life. We are witnessing more and more Cameroonians using words like “toufia”. If these things then feature in our films then it is only normal because we Cameroonians have adopted them. We have thus not been “invaded”. Furthermore, if these Nollywood films, characters and their classical lines have become our common cultural references and are easily identifiable to us Cameroonians such that we find the echo in our films then it is a natural consequence of watching them. This is no instance of being invaded. Unfortunately,this situation is compounded by our “acclaimed directors” who have chosen Nollywood as their muse. At a time when people want to identify wholly with the things on T.V, it is necessary for our film industry stakeholders to be aware of this and try to sculpt a truly Cameroonian and unique image for our cinema else we will forever stand in our neighbour’s big shadow. Let’s remember that even when this is done, this trend will continue because Nollywood has the pionneer’sadvantage. Since they were the first to popularise filmmaking in Africa, our story lines will always trigger comparisons with those of some Nollywood films Cameroonians had watched earlier. This will perpetuate the feeling that Cameroonian films look like their Nigerian counterparts.This shouldn’t however be a deterrent to forging a separate identity for our films. What do you think?
Cameroonian artists are learning to team up in order to make the splash much more loud. Masta Ben and “Nyango” boy Adah have collaborated on a track entitled ” J’irai jusqu’au bout”. The song is a call to perseverance and stamina in the face of all odds. Although the song isn’t a hit just yet, the positive message it broadcasts can endear it to some people. Fans will find it interesting and refreshing that Adah sings in French. “Qui a dit que le Cameroun n’était pas bilingue?” For a listen and free downloading, just check below. Enjoy the way Masta Ben‘s fiery nature and Adah‘s cool come together.
Anzhi F.C ‘s Cameroonian striker Samuel Eto’o has surely settled in well to life in Russia. Not only has he been banging in the goals, the player has equally been into music. Along with his Cameroonian team mate Benoit Angbwa, Eto’o recently featured on the track of Russian rapper Timaro. If you want to see Eto’o from a whole new angle, do well to watch this video.
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