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.

No music industry is an amusement park. You don’t come in when you want to hide from the troubles of everyday life. The music industry is a lion’s den where much is expected of those to whom the least is given; musicians. Yes, this is not fair but that’s the situation. Most of our artists are outright boring. Oh yes,I just said so. At every event ,they give us the same stale performance. You just have to attend one of their concerts or events to see for yourself. Most of them forget that the days when fans came to marvel at the electric guitar or other western instruments are long gone. Today’s fans are emancipated,demanding and want to be wowed if they must spend their hard-earned money. Globalisation and the advent of mass media have made Cameroonian music lovers aware of  the immense worth in the form of singing, dancing and entertainment they can  and are supposed to get from going to watch an artist perform. But apparently,our artists haven’t discovered how brightly they can vanish their brand if they do more than breath words into the micropone and start entertaining when they are on stage. By entertaining we don’t mean gyrations and racy moves. In an attempt to entertain, some Cameroonian artists have resorted to immorality although decent and tasty entertainment is possible. His controversies apart, Petit-Pays is one of the few Cameroonian artists who can be given the entertainer title.When you watch his concerts,you notice there  is choreography, dancing and communion with the concert goers. Even those who do slow-rhythm music like jazz can be entertainers.When they are on stage they can do more than sing. Our artists should remember that when people go to concerts they want something more than singing. If they just wanted to hear artists sing they would stay home and watch a video or play a c.d. Do we agree?

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.

This is surely going to be good news for Cameroon-based Eminem fans. The rumoured Eminem concert is certain .It  is going to hold on April 28,2012 as from 4 p.m at the Yaounde Omnisport Stadium. According to the program, Eminem will arrive Cameroon on April 25, hold press conference on the 26th and then concert on the 28th.  Cameroonian artists like Petit- Pays, Mathematik and X Maleya have been selected as opening acts to lay the groundwork for Eminem’s entry . It is worth noting that when this story broke on the web last week ,speculations were rife that it was a hoax and this even after Petit-Pays was quoted as saying he had been contacted to be an opening act.We can only praise those who are bringing these mega stars to our country. And it is our hope that when the show is over nobody will be grumbling about the weight of the checks handed to the opening acts. Eminem’s coming is within the context of an international cultural festival dubbed World Dream.

According to some press reports, another American superstar will be in Cameroon for a concert. Eminem is said to arrive Cameroon for an April 28 concert in Yaounde . Apparently,this information was first made known by Alain Dexter and Master Ivo during the just ended Planete Star Video Music Awards. Petit-Pays who is said to be the opening act for the show is quoted  as  having confirmed this story. Well, in the light of recent concerts  by superstars like Sean Paul and soon Akon,we are inclined to believe while hoping the story is true. If it turns out to be so, then it is really comforting to know that Cameroon has become an inviting destination for superstars and our concert promoters are doing good work.  I am sure Eminem fans would love a live rendition of hits like “Not afraid” and “Love the way you lie”. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.

It is undeniable,a wind of change is blowing across the Cameroonian music industry as far as music videos are concerned.When one turns on the T.V now, it is  no longer easy to keep count of the number of Cameroonian top -quality music videos  being screened even on international music channels. It is even more surprising to notice that these great videos are those of hiphop artists whose music was once fiercely resisted as if straight from the bowels of hell. This change is in part due to the rise of great talented music video directors like Feb 16,William Nsai and Napster Kallash just to name a few. Spurred by the competitive spirit of Cameroonian hiphop artists, these music video directors have been given the free reins to do their thing. However,while we salute this change, it is worthnoting that this revolution hasn’t reached all the nooks and cranies of the industry. Mainstream artists like bikutsi and makossa musicians are still to jump into the bandwagon. Despite their gargantuan followings ,the Petit Pays and K-Tinos just to name a few are still to latch on to this momentum. Such a move will only enable them consolidate their established reputations and carve a nitch for themselves on the world music scene because this phenomenon isn’t only true of Cameroon. Even in other African countries, the music video revolution is being driven mainly by hiphop artists. Why? What are the others waiting for? I for one will be extremely eager to watch the video of Petit Pays’ next hit if  I hear it was directed by Feb 16 for example. I am positive such a video will make its way to Trace. Less I forget, despite the quality of the music videos nowadays, there is need for them to be moored in our landscape i.e use our landmarks and realities when shooting their videos.

Individually they are just three fellows but when they come together musically  they become the musical sensation called X Maleya. Since they burst unto the scene, the guys have been marching from victory unto victories. The artistic clout they have gathered has seen them doing duets with heavyweights like Passi, Pit Baccardi and Patience Dabany. Their new situation thus begs the question: are they Cameroon’s supreme  boy-band? Yes,they are. Their recent album “Tous Ensemble”  only underscored their boy-band power. After their November -12 concert at the Yaounde Sports Complex, any doubts about them  deserving this accolade were dispelled. Their performances exuded unparalleled maturity and professionalism with beautifully-choreographed moves and swag. In the Cameroonian -music scene which has been accustomed to mixed groups of people prancing haphazardly on stage, they seem poised to win the title of  first Cameroonian boy-band. They have what it takes ;the moves ,the looks and the hits. Furthermore,their ever-growing  legion of female fans is an indicator of their boy-band potential and steady transformation into sex symbols. Their hit-making habit   has catapulted their fame beyond national frontiers and placed them in the country’s select club of crowd- pulling artists alongside greats like Petit -Pays. If all this isn’t  supreme boy-band stuff then I don’t know what it is. However,their next challenge will be to confirm and consolidate their new-found fame.

People tend to forget one important fact

source:canaldor.com

as far as music is concerned: it is hinged on culture. And culture is an expression of a people’s beliefs,habits,values and world-view.Critics have often  impugned Cameroonian and African musicians because their songs are replete with people’s names.To them,this is a bad thing which should be erased in order to make Cameroonian music in particular and African music in particular more attractive to the world.We must note here that this view is a bias perception of music because it doesn’t consider the fact that music originates from culture.Since  every culture has its specificities,music from a particular culture MUST be different  from the others.Consequently, if Cameroonian music is heavily infused with praise-singing and references to people,it is because in our culture, music was equally used to sing-praises.Thus, this trait is a contemporary manifestation of our cultural values.Furthermore,apart from the cultural raison-d’etre of praise-singing ,one can add the fact that musicians as artists,on the same scale as writers,need some space to express gratitude to those who supported them.And before you say that can be placed on the c.d cover,remember that almost nobody is interested in the cover.They want the contents and punctuating your lyrics with benefactors’ names is a much resounding tribute. Critics are many and unaware of the fact that praise-singing gives African and Cameroonian music its uniqueness just as rap music is famous for its vivid and sincere depiction of ghetto life.Our music cannot be unique by always genuflecting to foreign appreciation of us.Should we add that there’s a certain talent,finesse and creativity needed to come up with a good song that merges praise-singing and messages.Feel free to disagree. It is very convenient to label  Petit-Pays as a praise-singer but if its easy,others should praise-sing their way to the top as he did.

Trending Camer Afro beat  trio X Maleya and Soul Makossa giant Petit Pays just collaborated with Gabonese diva , Patience Dabany in a soul-touching song ”Set sur 7”. The song was produced by Cameroon top producer , Edgar Yonkeu  and the video was directed by Boss Playa. It’s exclusive !

Enjoy

Just like he promised on Tchop Tchop’s Jambo TV, Canal 2 , Petit Pays ‘s latest composition “Gagnez gagnez” has finally been released. The accompanying single “Gagnez gagnez” featuring Nollywood sweetheart Stella Damascus has all the trappings of a smash  hit, an entrancing beat and a nice chorus. Stella Damasus’ image is equally seen on the album cover art. Even die-hard Petit-Pays fans are revisiting their bitter diatribes of the  popular crowd-puller. Some are drawing parallels between this album and some  famed ones like “Mbemba Mot’a sawa”. Although unanimity escapes even critics, most agree that this album is reminiscent of the Petit-Pays in “Ca fait mal” given the themes contained therein. The entire album seems to contain  remixed versions of his previously released tunes.

Contact  96 92 81 55 to grab a copy