Makossa star Jacky Kingué has returned to the music scene with a brand new album. “We lambo” as it is called is a fine testament to the artist’s undying devotion and belief in Makossa. The artist who burst unto the scene with the song “Mudengué” is currently in the country for the promotion of this album. While hoping this album puts him back amongst the makossa elite, one can’t help but notice he has ”grown” size wise. Will that not negatively impact the dancing for which he was so popular? Just saying.
Cameroon’s own, benskin rap crooner based in the United Kingdom Rough Kumbaboy performs his newest single ‘Benskin Rap‘ released some time ago last year in October, full of originality with mixage of the cultural western benskin rhythms of Cameroon plus some rap and coupe decale beatings live on stage in London. It was an explosive thrilling performance which was witnessed by a massive turnout as the fusion guy displayed some cultural heritage.
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.
Charlotte Dipanda has officially released a new album ”Dube l’am’‘ consisting 14 tracks , 2 songs feature Richard Bona and Jacob Devarieux. ”Coucou” is an extract from the album which she believes is more mature than the former ” Mispa”. The song transcends my soul with a message of love and truth. No matter how long the night is, there shall be a dawn. Be strong, keep the faith for betters days are underway. Dube l’am in Duala means ”My faith”.
Tracklist of Dube L’am ——— 01. Toma me 02. Coucou 03. Bodimbea (feat. Richard Bona) 04. Kumbe elolo 05. Mouane diob 06. Soma loba 07. Na nde 08. We nde ndja (feat. Jacob Desvarieux) 09. Sona ndolo 10. Mukusa 11. Maria 12. Mot a idika 13. Mboa 14. Mouanyang
Douala based rapper Karnatox (KARNA) who emerged in the Urban music scene with ”Toche” is back with a groundbreaking video directed and produced by newcomers MAKCONCEPT who just released a teaser for Adah’s ”YOKOKO” . The guy seems to be more commercial in his delivery.
”Achuka” featuring General is a brand new song with a coupe decale rhythm and dance moves .
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 !
Weba Weba X is a Cameroonian Coupe decale / makossa artist we haven’t mentioned on this platform. His 2010 release titled ”Mbong Tchobi’ enabled him garner popularity in Cameroon. Born Tala Serge, he was raised in Douala where he was a shoe vendor before developing passion for music . He later traveled to Europe where he currently lives. ”Mbongo Tchobi” is a danceable piece with good rhythm. Try the dance moves if you can.
Cameroonian trio X Maleya keeps rocking, brandishing our flag high.The group is a quintessence of a success story making hits like ”Yelele”, Tchokolo, Son me and now collaborating with chart-toppers in African music like Magic System, Patience Dabany, Bill Clinton,and Miki Badboy in a song titled ”Celebrons” . I watched this video on Trace TV and what got me emotional was that our cultural values are portrayed in a colorful manner making me proud of my African heritage. The song is an Anthem for the 2012 African Nations Cup to take place in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea .
The music industry is undoubtedly built on an intangible commodity called inspiration.This might give the impression that artists who are the main actors have a carte blanche to do as they like.Unfortunately, this is not the case because they depend on another entity called the public that has its whims and caprices. It decides when to love you and when to dispose of you.This component thus places a constraint on artists and they can no longer change as they want because the public might get confused.This situation is sure not fair to the artists but thats the way it is.This observation pushes one to ask the question;which brand of music does the talented Achalle do?
The 2004 winner of the National song competition,2006 Star2 demain winner,2008 Kora award nominee has shuttled from genre to genre over the past few years.His post-Star 2 Demain release “Bunya” left audiences feeling that impression that he was going folklore. And then his smash hit “Feeling insecured” showcased his pop-crooner potential and the public taught “yes,he’s found his niche” and yearned for more. Surprise, surprise, Achalle seems to have taken the gospel road not only as a backup vocalist for some gospel artists but also as a solo artist.These transitions, far from highlighting his artistic range, have left fans and pundits perplexed as to the artist’s real penchant.
It has equally overstretched and weakened his punch as artist.uncertainty now looms where certainty where reigned as to his genre.Is he folkore,pop or gospel?Despite the immensity of an artist’s talent,he/she can’t be a jack -of- all -trades because contemporary music and music lovers are much more exigent. And very few if not no artist,even with the input of legendary producers, can engage in such musical gymnastics with the sound resounding success which is what artists seek.Artists can sure explore other genres but more as an icing on their traditional cake. But 360 shifts from one genre are,to say the least, confusing.
Cameroonian jazz musician and saxophonist Manu Dibango whose music has influenced songs like Michael Jackson’s ”Wanna be starting something” , Rihanna’s ”Don’t stop the music ” and Boogie in your butt” by Eddie Murphy keeps brandishing our pride high. Recently the makossa-soul legend collaborated with UK based producer and pop artist Wayne Beckford known for producing ”Stand up” by BAAM in a smash hit titled ”soul makossa” off the album ”Past present future”. The song is a fusion of pop and makossa.
Makossa star Jacky Kingué has returned to the music scene with a brand new album. “We lambo” as it is called is a fine testament to the artist’s undying devotion and belief in Makossa. The artist who burst unto the scene with the song “Mudengué” is currently in the country for the promotion of this album. While hoping this album puts him back amongst the makossa elite, one can’t help but notice he has ”grown” size wise. Will that not negatively impact the dancing for which he was so popular? Just saying.
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