Let’s be sincere with each other because although the truth hurts it is indispensable; most of all the down -and- trying as well as the up -and- coming Cameroonian musicians have no idea what music is all about yet they want to stand in front of crowds and entertain. It’s no fault of theirs and they shouldn’t be ashamed of their handicap; we live in a country where not much thought and worth is given to art forms like music so those with music dreams can only count on themselves to get to their destination. But the problem is that music in its present -day configuration needs far more than passion, desire or dreams to be handled brilliantly. Simply put, to be a musician today you must master basics like learning to play an instrument, choosing a style, negotiating a deal and much more. Even when you can dabble or use beatmaking software to produce your own songs, what do you do when you must play live? You cannot be the artist, manager, stylist and more simultaneously. This reality equally concerns filmmakers. The Cameroonian filmmaking “industry” (I don’t think we have an industry yet) is littered with people who have always wanted to be either in front of or behind the camera. But you cannot make a film just by standing in front of or behind a camera. You need to understand lighting, editing, shots, and more. We have already said we live in a society where the arts aren’t held in high esteem so what must we do? Although, schools for art aren’t common, people with these aptitudes are. Go close to someone who can play a guitar,piano or something and learn. Or why not go online. They are free videos from which you can learn. But please, if you’ve always dreamt of being a star, don’t think of how passionate you are, rather think of how much learning you are supposed to do because in entertainment passion isn’t enough. It can be if you want to remain mediocre. Hope you disagree. Lol
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There are times when you feel it’s a craft but there are others when you think it is an art. And then you listen to some artists, the serial chart-toppers,and you say loo it can only be a science with timeless recipes that work at every try. So in the face of this issue, it is very difficult to give a clearcut definition although one must be conscious of the following before embarking on such an exerting enterprise. When one sees the success of Petit-Pays’ musical offsprings like Samy Diko and others,one can hastily contend that music is a craft; something mechanical which can be grasped by repeating the gestes and doings of others. But is this approach not the problem with our music. Since it has been handed down from generation to generation,the heirs of the past cannot reinvent Makossa (for example) to suit the times because they can’t stop themselves from repeating. In the face of a disenchanted fanbase that finds comfort in coupé -décalé,the artists resort to accusations of cultural treason and unpatriotic tendencies. Let’s say it’s an art; something which requires inate skill or knowlegde. If that is the case then artists with the most fertile imaginations should be the charttoppers but we all know the way things work;no matter the immensity of your talent,you must court some producer and wrestle with him on the way your music should sound because he is in for the money. So, it cannot be all about art. Is it then a science; something with ready made ingredients and recipes that will connive together to produce the next platinum -selling smash hit album. We all know this is not the case. Countless new acts have worked with the most award-ladden producers only for the public and critics to avoid them like a plague. So finally what then is music and by music we mean the singing, recording, marketing and promotion. I humbly think it’s an even mix of all. At some point making music is an art where talent and creativity are the most important elements. Later down the road, it is a craft (you should take the cue from others) . As one moves up the ladder,one realises the approach to adopt in a bid to avoid being wrong all across the board. But at no point should one be delusional enough to think it is either one or the other.
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John Shaddai Akenji is a 23 years old Cameroonian graphic designer best known as the designer of Cameroon’s 50th Anniversary emblem.He currently works for Bright Arts Gallery in Yaounde.
John Shaddai participated in the government-organised competition to design a logo for Cameroon’s 50th Anniversary celebration and was ranked third receiving a cash prize of 1 million Frs.The choice of his artwork as the official emblem by the President of the Republic has been highly controversial as he was supposed to be ranked 1st.
He is a young designer extraordinaire with a creative intuition.He is also the man behind the official poster of the Cameroonian movie ”Not my will”.
NexDim takes you into his world of creative imagination ”Shaddailogy”
CONTACT HIM:
http://www.facebook.com/people/John-Shaddai/100000471138640
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Golden Jubilee Logo
The Cameroonian government organised a competition for the design of the emblem of the 50th anniversary celebrating Cameroon’s independence.This competition has been marred by a scandal.
The logo which was officially declared third in the competition has been retained as the official emblem of the golden jubilee. A 23-years-old Anglophone, John Shaddai Akenji of Bright Arts Gallery, produced the logo which will appear on all official documents concerning the anniversary celebrations.
But while Akenji may have the satisfaction of seeing his work retained, it is two other Francophone participants in the competition who laughed all the way to the bank. Noel Akono Avebe scooped FCFA 5 million after he was declared overall winner of the competition while Niguen Guea, the runner-up, received a cash prize of FCFA 2 million. Akenji, whose entry is now the official emblem of the independence commemoration, was rewarded with FCFA 1 million.
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