Dahlia Fotsing who recently burst unto the scene with the track “Allo allo police” is set to perform in Evreux,France on May 19,2012. The concert will take place at the famous La Sanaga restaurant and her fans are excited to meet with their idol. Since the official launch of her album, the artiste has been busy shuttling to and from Cameroon in order to promote the album and make herself known to the Cameroonian public. While some have praised her music for being devoid of the usual deviant themesBikutsi artists are famous for,others criticise her dressing which they find indecent. Come on folks, all that is just part of the show. Right?
“La ponceuse” as she is fondly called is locked in a quarrel with the agency in charge of managing musicians’ copyrightSOCAM. The feud started after the agency slammed the singer with an official warning as well as a 1 millionfrancs c.f.a fine for allegedly making disparaging comments against the agency during an interview. As a matter of fact, the artists is quoted as having said SOCAM wasn’t treating artists any better than its predecessor C.M.C and that it wasn’t going to be recognised by international bodies in charge of managing artists’ copyright like SACEM. These alledged comments were viewed by SOCAM hierachy as a violation of section 53 of its statutes which prohibits its members from making declarations that might taint the agency’s reputation. This position is however challenged by Lady Ponce whose lawyer organised a press conference recently in Yaounde. During this meeting with pressmen, Barrister Ndongo Christian Patrick said the sanction meted to his client was tainted with serious violations of Cameroonian law. The legal mind hinged his case on the section 54 of SOCAM statutes which says when a violation is committed the accused is summoned to defend his/herself. If the time lapse expires, one of the sanctions can be meted but his client received both sanctions. Knowing the perennial nature of most legal disputes,we must say this could only be the first round of a long process. Goodluck to both parties et “que la vérité triomphe“. Lady Ponce won’t give a cool million “cadeau”.
The Cameroonian music scene has a new diva in the person of Cristy Sweet born Ndomo Cristelle. After having flirted with hip hop groups like Natural D.C and danced for heavy weights like K-Tino , the red-haired artist decided to go solo and recently released her debut album containing huge doses of bikutsi, her favourite rhythm, and hints of hip-hop , meringue,etc. In the overcrowded Cameroonian music arena, this lady formerly known as Cristy D.C stands out not only by her hair style but also by her intensity. Although she can be considered another quintessential bikutsi artist - i.e who can’t sing without refering to “man and woman” palaver, one kind of falls in love with her style – she uses imagery from popular cartoon characters to sing about what she sings about. Get a listen for yourself, you’ll surely love it.
Bikutsi queen Lady Ponce is decidedly bent on making her musical presence felt this year. She has just released another video “Secouer -Secouer” featuring D.J Manu Killer. This track is from her latest album “La loi du talion” that was released late last year. The close to 6 minutes video was shoot at Safari Club in Yaounde that seems to be the latest IT place for shooting music videos. Lady Ponce has sure been busy. Just last month she released a video, left for Europe, has been announced back in the country for a March 8 concert and now this music video release. This latest video includes a special guest appearance from Koppo who plays a limousine- riding guy who picks up skinny and thinly-clad girls for partying. Bikutsi and Lady Ponce fans should stop drooling the video is right here. Bon appetit.
Bikutsi star Lady Ponce will be on stage come March 8 for a concert. What’s special about this? Well it’s not the fact that it is going to be on Women’s day. The concert is going to take place at her cabaret “Ponce Attitude’ that is situated in the Ekié neighbourhood in Yaounde and is touted by some to be amongst the best in town. Talk of artists diversifying and branching out into business ventures. Lady fans of the artist are sure going to be served with the breathtaking and intense performances she is known for. While waiting for the concert date here is one of her most recent music videos “Carosserie”
Ladies seem to have cracked the Bikutsi code more than their male counterparts. Going by the number of women bursting unto to scene this assessment is very true. One of the ladies who has been making waves recently is CocoArgentée. Born Nytem Mekuku Corinne ,the Belgium- based artist released ,to much fanfare, her first album entitled “Nostalgie” in 2011. She wrote and passed the popularity test with electrifying perfromances at Yafe and Caroussel. So much hype greeted her coming that one question is worth asking ? Is she Bikutsi’s new It girl? Well, if you’re a fan of the usual Bikutsi- heavily couched in innuendo’s- then this is your girl. But if you’re looking for something new and fresh, then you better re-shelf your hopes. This artist is a true student of the K-Tino school of Bikutsi. Controversial lyrics, provocative dancing, 6 minutes + long songs etc. There is nothing special about the artist. Just another one exploiting the public’s immoral penchants. See for yourself.
Cameroonian music just like African music is good rich thrilling music yet it’s exportation is dogged by many things. One of those things preventing Cameroonian music from reaching far-off frontiers is ,unfortunately, the length. Some of them are as long as 8 minutes. Please hold it right there before you utter this enormity “Were Toto Guillaume and Ange Ebogo songs not embraced despite their length”. If that’s the only bullet in your barrel then grow up because tastes and trends have changed considerably . R’n'B and rock have nothing on “Makossa” and “Mbagheuleum’ but they have stealthily became world music because their lengths tie with what media outlets allocate. We live in a world where time is a precious resource and if our musicians must get the airplay needed to popularise their music widely they must tailor them to the world trend which is about 3-4 minutes max for a song. In a world where we do not control mainstream media we have to bow to these unwritten rules else our music will never go beyond some thresholds. Even Cameroonian D.Js will confess to you that some of the songs aren’t played fully because they are too damn long and time isn’t free at any station. The world yearns for Cameroonian and African music but in the 21st century people can’t spare one whole day listening to one song. Diaspora- Cameroonian musicians have learnt the lesson but some home-based one’s have refused to listen. Isn’t it cost-wise for Rabba-Rabbi to take 7 minutes and record two songs than one. Feel free to disagree. One thing we all have a right to is an opinion.
Bikutsi front woman Lady Ponce has just released a new music video “Carrosserie”. This song is from her fourth album“La loi du talion” which was released last year. While every work of art deserves praise, we must say that the video would have been better off without the amateurish visual effects at the start. The song is also too long: 6 minutes 54 seconds. That’s practically enough time for two songs. Talk of shooting one bird with two stones. Apart from these gray spots, the song is the exquisite Bikutsi the Lady is famed for and fans should get ready for positive messages and no “ventre or bas -ventre” talk when listening to this song. See for yourself.
Clarisse Valerie now called Clarisse Wopso is back with a new video ”Voleur de plaisir” .The rhythm is a blend of benskin from the Western region and Bikutsi from the Centre region of Cameroon. After the release of ”Wopso” and her divorce, she has attracted much attention. In ”wopso”, she was clad in about 100 different outfits and she keeps bringing surprises. This song is a club banger to garnish your Xmas holidays. Her dance moves are appealing. Start counting the outfits in this video !
After entertaining the Yaounde public, the 2011 version of the cultural jamboree known as Festi-bikutsi closed its doors with an award ceremony. Mani bella was crowned best female bikutsi artist of the year. Music duo Les 2 Ki Tu walked home with the best new male artist award while Letis Diva got the award in the female category. Other winners were Biberon Cerveau for best foreign-based artist, Odilon Masso for best stage performance and Amazone Mintsa got the public’s choice award. The 13 edition of the festival ended with award for male artist of the year not being given for the lack of a deserving nominee.
Dahlia Fotsing who recently burst unto the scene with the track “Allo allo police” is set to perform in Evreux,France on May 19,2012. The concert will take place at the famous La Sanaga restaurant and her fans are excited to meet with their idol. Since the official launch of her album, the artiste has been busy shuttling to and from Cameroon in order to promote the album and make herself known to the Cameroonian public. While some have praised her music for being devoid of the usual deviant themes Bikutsi artists are famous for,others criticise her dressing which they find indecent. Come on folks, all that is just part of the show. Right?
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