The recent surge in the popularity of Cameroonian -urban artists has left some people pondering why urban music is finally on the rise. Countless cogent reasons have been given for this phenomenon. But what if the reason was simply the language used.What if it is because the language used is pidgin. Yes,pidgin. The language we were reminded never to speak at school except in the neighbourhood. If there is truth to the theory that each language we speak is a life we live then Cameroonians penchant for guys like Jovi can be explained. When Jovi sings of “shak”, it resonates with us because we all “shak” . When he talks of “don for kwat”, childhood memories spring of one “grand” who used to terrorise the neighbourhood. These artists, aided by a parallel- refined beat, easily win over the public whereas Jay-z wannabes who sing of champagne, jets and bling using unconvincing accents rather lose the public’sympathy. The public knows that the jet and champagne-singing artist doesn’t even own a wheelchair or drink portable water . Like it or not,most Cameroonians speak in English or French but dream,belief,hope and exist in pidgin. We express all the subtleties of our being in pidgin. We are complete and without debilitating inhibitions in a space where pidgin is the means of communication. We easily connect with Njoheur when he sings “you dong forget ma number”. “All we dee shak,all we dee chop koum-koum even the one dem weh they dee stay for fence house”. Pidgin unites us all, so we enjoy the song when it is released, making it a smash hit and making the artist a star. With the help of artists, pidgin has stopped being an outcast that is avoided. It is no longer an aside in a 7 minute-long song. It is now the main thing: the wave on which most successful urban-music artists surf on their way to success. Ask Jovi, Dugtor Sley and yes,why not Niken.lol. Feel free to disagree
I agree 🙂