Jovi’s second interview in 7 years premiered on December 18th 2021 on YouTube, he was guest on the program “INBOX” hosted by the same Fidjil. He spoke about The Media, Anglophone Crisis, Mboko and The Entertainment Industry.

The interview started with Jovi talking about the media structure in Cameroon. Here the rapper emphasized that there is a need for a dedicated media for entertainment (Music Only) that will focus on the artistes and their craft. He added that the media in Cameroon is focused more on the buzz, and once the buzz dies down, the focus switches to another buzz.

Jovi was asked if he thinks he is well recognized in Cameroon as an artiste. The rapper had both a Yes/No answer for this question.

“Yes” as he’s recognized by his fans, supporters and people who believe in his music and level of work he has done to uplift the Cameroonian sound.

“No” because on a national level, taking into his level of work, he needed to have gotten himself a bigger studio, his own concert and a project to help educate young music enthusiasts. Jovi added that he is in a position whereby he will be tempted to leave Cameroon if these opportunities came knocking from another country.

Fidjil spoke about Mboko and asked Jovi if he felt close to the streets while representing the Mboko brand. Jovi responded saying “Mboko is a mindset “. You can be in the USA and still rep the mboko lifestyle. He added that he represents the people who don’t have equal opportunities in society. Those who can’t attend some schools or treated in some particular hospitals or work in a certain environment.

On the issue of the Anglophone Crisis and why people feel like he doesn’t talk like fellow artiste Valsero despite his level of influence, Jovi replied saying at first, he had respect for Valsero because he thought Valsero knew what he was doing but now he sees him like someone who just wants to be politically correct. He added that the two times he crossed paths with Valsero, the latter was drunk. Jovi ended by saying Valsero is a wack artiste who uses politics to get a position in society and doesn’t have the experience to talk music because he is more of a bad politician than a wack artiste.

SMELO: First of all I want to thanks you guys for the opportunity that you’ve given me with this interview to be closer to your subscribers. Then to follow I will say i’m a young Cameroonian singer and France based artist born in Kribi. I studied arts in the university. A young entertainer trying to follow his dreams.

237Showbiz: How did you come about with the name SMELO ? What does it mean to you ? Can you tell is what your real names are ?

SMELO: (Laughs) Actually, I borrowed the name SMELO and one day I will have to return it.

Well the name SMELO was one of my comic characters because visual arts (drawing and painting) is my first love and I really love watching cartoons. I began drawing cartoons back then in secondary school and smelo was one of the first Characters so friends started calling me like that and I adopted it. The name SMELO came as a result of that.

237Showbiz: We learnt you started getting interest in the field of entertainment as an event organizer. How did you later venture into music and ended up as an artiste ?

SMELO: Yeah I got into the entertainment industry as an event organizer because I was working with many associations and that gave me some little contacts so I started putting some of my friends  who were singing and rapping. I later created a group called BLACK ARTS EMPIRE then the group became a label. My first artiste motivated me to get into music because at the time I would only stay behind the scenes and write music for them.

237Showbiz: Your previous single “Wine Fi Me” is what seemed to have shunned the light on your growing career. Please tell us, what inspired this song ?

SMELO: Initially, I wrote songs without listening to the beats most of the times. While writing, I create the melodies in my head. However, the beats for the single “Wine Fi Me” was sent by a friend of mine. It took me 10 minutes to compose that song. Its one of the fastest songs I’ve written so far.

237Showbiz: You started music many years ago, growing in the industry, how will you love to describe the nature of your journey so far and your relationship with other stakeholders ?

SMELO: Yeah I have some years of experience in the industry but you know it wasn’t really as professional because I was a student. With my busy schedule, causing less focus. Notwithstanding, these years taught me a lot about how to be patient, to be humble, to plan everything, to be focused. It was a whole new journey but to be honest if we have to count my time in music, then 2019 and the release of this EP will be the year one. I have released many singles before this but I haven’t been consistent until now and we see the result.

Things started moving and I even have an interview with you guys

237Showbiz: Let’s talk about your 7 track EP “Mr Njoka”. What is the inspiration behind this piece of art ? and why the name Mr Njoka ?

SMELO: I made this EP like a visit carte, because I knew it will be the real beginning of everything. So I built it with the goal of looking for a balance between who I was, who I am and who I want to be. That is why you have different styles in it and I also wanted a balance between French and English, making it balanced in languages.

I titled the EP MR NJOKA because it’s who I am. A man who loves to live the life and who wants to enjoy it while it lasts. This doesn’t mean visiting the clubs and beer parlours at random but really appreciating little things of life. Mr NJOKA will be a series of EPs that will end in an album. I think there will be like 2 or 3 more volumes of Mr NJOKA EPs.

237Showbiz: The EP is made up of 7 tracks, which of these tracks was the most difficult to process from start to finish ? What made it hectic ?

SMELO: That will be the track “Pili Pili” because I really wanted it to sound different.

It’s also the oldest song of the EP he has almost 4 years

237Showbiz: In the Cameroonian music industry, we practice the #SupportYourOwn and #HoldHandsMovement whereby bigger artistes hold the hands of younger ones so they can grow. Have you been able to benefit from any of this so far  ?

SMELO: No! none of them maybe because i’m not in Cameroon. I got some advice from FRANKO, CORRY DENGUEMO and HERVÉ NGUEBO but I haven’t benefit any “Hold Hands” from anybody I’ve always done everything on my own.

237Showbiz: Where do you see yourself in 5 years ?

SMELO: I see my self in Cameroon, almost established building our industry with all my brothers and sisters.

237Showbiz: Some the plagues hindering the growth of the music industry in Cameroon are; hate, envy, jealousy and “over sabi“. What do you think can be done to tackle these ills ?

SMELO: Hard work. Making musical projects because it’s what really stays and gives you an identity. Having a long vision and working together.

237Showbiz: If you had the opportunity to work with 5 Cameroonian artistes, who will they be ?

SMELO: There are so many artists that I want to work with but if I have to chose I will go for Jovi, Manu Dibango, Nabila, Ben Decca and Petit Pays

237Showbiz: Your EP is currently sold at 1000 XAF per copy, how will you convince someone who has never listened to SMELO before to be able to buy your album ?

SMELO: Let me put it this way. If you want to travel, if you love life and if you are a free minded person then you must buy this EP inorder to be part of my journey.

237Showbiz: If you had the super powers to change one thing about the entertainment industry, what will that be ?

SMELO: Having more institutions that teach arts. Because art is life.

237Showbiz: One advice for Cameroonian artistes ?

SMELO: Being passionate, doing what we are doing for love before doing it for the money.

Discover this bunch of talent SMELO by grabbing a copy of his debut EP “Mr Njoka” via Mobile Money at 1000XAF. Buy Here

EP also available on streaming platforms!

Interviewed By Victor Kange

#Team237Showbiz

Hello 237ShowBees! We bring to you guys our discussion with Cameroonian producer, singer, humanitarian and businessman Seta Beatz who discussed with us his life, musical career, the industry, the current crisis and much more.

Get the full juicy gists we were able to squeeze out from the “Werewa” crooner!

@237Showbiz: From your stage name, many will take you for a music producer or beat maker but when perusing photos on your social media platforms, they see you attached to philanthropy. Please tell us, who is Seta Beatz?

Seta Beatz: Hehehe, well Seta Beatz is an artiste, a beat maker, a humanitarian and a businessperson.

@237Showbiz: How did you get into music ? Do you do it full time or there is a side hustle that bring in the papers?

Seta Beatz: Music is something I grew up with. I started playing guitar at the age of eight. Back in my secondary school days I was a member of our school choir and I also performed in a group we called ourselves the “Back Street Boys” hahaha. I also played guitar, drums in churches and during church crusades you know…My professional career as an artiste started in Ghana when the manager of Empire records Ghana, met me at a recording studio playing acoustic guitar on another artiste song. He later asked me if I had my own songs which I said yes but not recorded yet. I played a couple of them to him and he encouraged me to take music seriously…. He even paid for two recording sessions for me. This was sometime in 2012 and that’s how it all started.

Honestly, I have not been doing music full time. I manage a bunch of other stuff.

@237Showbiz: As a musical artiste, your musical career has been on and off for a quite a while now, why the inconsistency?

Seta Beatz: Well, I must agree with you that I have been inconsistent. I run a charity organization, a Children’s Home and family businesses.   You know how much attention showbiz needs. My problem has been time to manage this properly. For the years you didn’t hear something musical from me, I have been working hard to build a more solid foundation for my structures so that they can be sustained when I give in more time for my music career. ‘’ Man dasso need doh for pay all these wuna promo bills. You wise the headline now nor?). 

@237Showbiz:  You are currently signed to the record label called Fame Boy Records! Tell us more about the structure. Is it independent or sponsored ? How many artistes are signed to the label?

Seta Beatz: The record label Fameboy is a label I created. Its still very new and a lot is being put in place. This is not operating with all those label signing rules but as a family where young talented artistes are given a chance to grow in their music careers. For the moment we don’t sign artistes. We have a couple of young artistes we are beginning to support. (Pay for studio recording sessions, video shoots, photoshoots, promo etc).

@237Showbiz: From your vision and manner of handling situations, it’s not strange you were one of the best students growing up. Tell us about your educational background.

Seta Beatz: hahahaha…. Ahhh I wasn’t an excellent student ooh but a good and disciplined one. I have been through primary, secondary, high school, university and have also obtained a couple of other professional trainings in and out of the country. I am still studying though…. Sincerely school helps but the practical world out here helps better. My vision and manner of handling situations has been through diversified interactions and life experiences. We all know the common phrase “Experience is the best teacher”.

@237Showbiz: Your latest single WEREWA released few weeks ago has caught a lot of attention given that it speaks mainly about “The Struggle” and current political instability in the Northwest and Southwest of Cameroon. Please tell us, what inspired this song?

Seta Beatz: The suffering of the people inspired the song. The word in my dialect Meta “Werewa” means help us.  I took this word from women I saw one morning running from heavy gunshots towards my home in Mbengwi and crying out. I could see grand mothers who couldn’t even walk struggling to run and some of them falling to the ground. We have a blind and handicapped school just next to my home and these people were also crying and struggling to run. It was so sad and painful to see the fear and frustration of these people.

@237Showbiz: As an artiste and Cameroonian, has the struggle affected you particularly in any way? If yes, please tell us how.

Seta Beatz: Of course, the crises still affects me. I run a children’s home with over 50 children which I support. These children have been facing difficulties to go to school for the past years as we all know.

My younger brother was also shot in the leg.  I was ones held hostage by armed guys for hours. After a few calls that made them recognize me, they had to let me go.

My community is deserted. They shoot people and dump their dead bodies along our roads. Most of the people who supported our music have been displaced, some killed, some in prison, and some psychologically traumatized by their ordeals. We all know that “Market for showbiz nodi waka again for NW and SW.”. We keep praying for peace and normalcy to return.

@237Showbiz: What measures do you think we need to put in place to get out of this “Wahala” ?  How can Cameroon and Anglophone bounce back to normal?

Seta Beatz:  Dialogue is the one and only route. Both parties must begin by dropping down their arms. How do you seat to talk with someone you consider an enemy still carrying a gun or a machete? How can you comfortably seat down and talk?  There is always going to be this fear of the unknown and lack of trust and confidence of the outcome should there still be a disagreement. Both parties must agree to drop their weapons, seat down and talk a peaceful way out.

@237Showbiz: The Cameroon entertainment industry on its part has its own “Struggle” Envy, Jealousy and hate is the order of the day. These are some of the ills plaguing our Entertainment industry. It started with artistes now even the fans have followed suit. How can we overcome these challenges?

Seta Beatz: Well the Cameroonian music industry is still at its puberty. No artiste is yet fully established and so there is this silent competition and insecurities. Everyone is still putting in work to make some papers, own investments that can guaranty him/her a great future when retirement comes. The failure is that at this stage the industry has no structure. There is just so much disorder without a body that controls and coordinates activities. Its like a group of persons that all have the opportunity to go up a tower using a ladder but they all are fighting to be the first to climb and by so doing they push each other off and on, break the steps of the ladder for others not to climb, meanwhile they could coordinate themselves with one person climbing after the other to the top. The ministry of arts and culture, the ministry of tourism and other stakeholders need to give in full recognition to the work of artiste and put in place rules and platforms that supports the artiste. Right now, “Any man di just try ye best. Any man di find ye own way”. It’s not easy.

@237Showbiz: What that one word or piece of advice for Cameroonian artistes playing a deaf ear to what’s going on in their respective land of origin?

Seta Beatz: Never forget where you come from. Just never forget your humble beginnings.

To begin with, MC Charlene spoke about why she is often referred to as the Energy Goddess. This appellation came as a result of her energy on stage and how she turns everyone up when she grabs the mic and hits the stage.

For someone whom music has always been a part of her life, Charlene also spoke about how she got into entertainment when she started dancing at the age of 11 and has always been that girl who always love cheering people up.

Also, Charlene was asked where she did her first show as an MC/Host. This took place in Oslo in Norway. At the time, she wasn’t even doing it professionally, her friend who runs a fashion show called her up because she knew about how crazy she can be coupled with the energy she possessed.

Charlene also answered the question of how she tackles a sector of the entertainment industry which is highly dominated by male counterparts. She said at the first glance, people are skeptical about her capabilities and see her doing what is known to be a man’s job. As an energy goddess, she has always taken everyone by surprise because they hardly believe in her until they hear her hype up events with the mic.

The 26 year old qualified chef also spoke about sexual harassments in the entertainment industry and says learning how to stand her ground has always been her mindset and this has driven away all opportunist who want to mess with her because she’s a woman. She added that God has written down the destiny of everyone, and if only we stay focus and work harder, we shall succeed. Therefore, if you are destined to be an actress, MC/Host, singer or model, you just need to work hard and stand your grounds, you wouldn’t need someone else to mess with you just so they take you to the next level of your career.

The Energy Goddess also took the opportunity to talk about her upcoming Party Tour USA – Canada in which she promises to bring in something new and different from the usual. Whereby she will be touring the USA and Canada with herself, an MC/Host a DJ and a Dancer. With this triple threat, consider every event booked with Team Charlene a blast!

Lastly, Charlene spoke about what she witnessed while on tour in Nigeria in 2018. She hosted the Fabulous Party at Club Quilox in Lagos and had the opportunity to stop by at a few radio stations and TVs. while on air during one particular interview, she noticed that the DJ had touched almost all countries in West Africa but didn’t spice up her interview with the taste of some of the biggest Cameroonian hit songs, in this light, she ordered the DJ to play some Cameroonian hits.

Stanley Enow and Mr Leo were some of the artistes played. The interviewer of Afro Ethnics at Apex1 Radio felt a little disappointed that Cameroonian songs weren’t played that much and Nigeria as a whole and that these artistes need to contact promoters and DJs to promote their songs in Nigeria.

He added that Nigerian men love Cameroonian women, and if they can love Cameroonian they should also love and promote our songs and culture not only in Nigeria but at a global level. Charlene agreed.

Victor Kange

(BloGod)

Hello 237Showbees! It’s been long we caught with interviews ever since we did an exclusive of Nigerian Superstar SolidStar. We are back with interviews and this time around, we go down the ladders to the point of Fast Rising singers. We are please to bring to you our exclusive discussion with Cameroonian singer Don ChaeuLe also known as Wokolo Master.

He talks about his career, entertainment and albinism and lots more. We wouldn’t want to spill all the juice but rather let you guys discover it for yourselves. Below was how it went down!

@237Showbiz: Don ChaeuLe, Wokolo Master, The Only MC with an MBA. This is the height of what people know about you, in very few words, kindly describe yourself. Who is Don ChaeuLe ?

Don ChaeuLe: Well I’m a young Cameroonian who is passionate about music and loves his country.

@237Showbiz: Many might not really get it and why you chose it. Can you tell us why the stage name Don ChaeuLe ? 

Don ChaeuLe: The name was my stage name back in boarding school (BIROCO) when I was in form 4. It was actually Dj ChaeuLe because I loved Coupe-decale a lot. Two years later in lower sixth an upper sixth student called me Don ChaeuLe (don’tknow if it was a mistake or it was intentional) when he wanted me to lead prayers and ever since then everyone started calling me Don ChaeuLe. The name ChaeuLe is from a song by Dj Jacob where he says “Soum bill tu est ou la” He was fast hence the ‘tu est ou la” sounded like “ChaeuLa” I just replaced the last ‘a’ with ‘e’ and boom ChaeuLe was formed lol.

@237Showbiz: It is obvious you started your musical career some years back with your first track entitled Wokolo. How did you venture into singing? 

Don ChaeuLe: Very correct. The truth is I have always loved to sing from a very tender age. I used to mumble the lyrics of these ancienne makossa songs when I was like nine. I started doing music way back in form 4 that’s 2004 in boarding school. I composed my first song title “Phillo” with my friend Dj Junior. It was a coupe-Decale song. Of course I need not remind you I was Dj ChaeuLe at the time. Fast forward to 2010 in my secondyear in UB my friends and I had a record label in my room where we made songs. None was officially released though. Professionally I started music in 2016 like you aforementioned with my debut single called WOKOLO.

@237Showbiz: Entertainment doesn’t seem to go smoothly with albinism. Tell us about albinism, growing up and the challenges you face as an entertainer. 

Don ChaeuLe: “Entertainment doesn’t seem to go well with albinism” That’s correct but things are really changing for the best in recent times with respect to the above subject. Thanks to great legendary albino singers like Calvino of Cameroon  Salif Keita of Mali, Yellow Man of Jamaica etc. These legends have fought hardnot just for the acceptance of albinos in entertainment but also in all spheres of life. My childhood was fantastic I must confess and even up to now I have hardly witnessed challenges as an albino except for the obvious; sunlight and my eyesight. But generally people are always very friendly and cool around me. There are some not so cool people too but hey I don’tworry much about them. I have developed a thick skin over the years. I don’t give room for negativity and stereotypes. I’m focused on the nice people always.

@237Showbiz: Compared to the yesteryears, It is unarguably true that the Cameroonian entertainment industry has grown. However, the system has been contaminated with ills such as hate, envy, jealousy, insecurity and greed. Tell us what we need to do to combat such ills.

Don ChaeuLe: Interesting question there. It’s very difficult to combat such ills because they existed before we were born and will exist after we have left this world. The only thing to do is to remain focused on your goal and remember that you are the only unique you so your head should always be kept HIGH.

@237Showbiz: Judging from your fashion sense, one will think you were once a fashion designer before music came knocking. How do you manage to look this classy and who is your stylist? 

Don ChaeuLe: Hahaha thanks for the compliment. Funny enough someone just complemented my unique sense of style earlier today. Well I get that particular complemented almost on a daily basis. Honestly I don’t know I guess it’s inherent. No I don’t have a stylist but my mom is my fashion icon.

@237Showbiz: For an entertainer who looks this classy, you should have a bunch of ladies running after you not just for fan love but for the “girlfriend status” We shall sure keep it a secret. Tell us how many girls are you dating? 

Don ChaeuLe: Hahahahaha please ooo I’m single like a Pringle and I’m ready to mingle lol.

@237Showbiz: Your current single entitled “Maekam” produced by Dijay Karl has been gaining a lot of attention lately and the fans love it. Tell us what inspired “Maekam” ? 

Don ChaeuLe: It’s my life story. My life inspired the song.

@237Showbiz: Most Cameroonian artistes have a degree in “inconsistency” after dropping one or two tracks, they disappear from the scene and only comeback months or years later. It was the case with you and your “Wokolo” single. What kept you out of the picture so long and tell us how your colleagues can work on being consistent.

Don ChaeuLe: Lol at “having a degree in inconveniency.” The truth is artistes too have personal struggles like falling ill, heartbreaks, loosing a love one, going to school, goingbroke etc all of these could necessitate a little break from the scene. So I don’t see it as inconveniency per say.Personally I was away because I had to relocate to Cameroon and there were many personal stuff I had to sought out. But I’m BACK better, bigger, stronger, bolder and brighter than ever before!!! 

@237Showbiz: Blanche Bailly OR Meshi ? 

Don ChaeuLe: Sorry who is Meshi? Is that a name of a new hairstyle for ladies? Blanche Bailly live and direct.

@237Showbiz: Which Cameroonian artistes fit your style of music? Also tell us whom you’ll love to work with!

Don ChaeuLe: I think most of them do fit since I’m versatile and I can always switch up my styles. I will like to work with everyone who is willing to work with me. There are lots of talented artistes in 237.

@237Showbiz: Give us a rundown of a normal day in Don ChaeuLe’s life from when he gets out of bed!

Don ChaeuLe: I wake up in the morning at 5am, say my prayers, have my shower, breakfast and go to work (when I was still working) by 7am. I have my break by 1pm so I have lunch and close work by 5pm. Get home by 6pm (Douala traffic) go to the gym and spend 30mins. By 7pm I have my dinner and 7:30 I watch the news and TV shows for about 3hours and I go to bed by 10:30.

Since I lost my job I replaced that with studio time, learning to play an instrument, reading in the library etc. That’s my day. Of course in the weekends that will change slightly.

@237Showbiz: At this stage of your career, if you were to organize a concert you will be headlining, in which city will the concert take place if your main objective was to fill up the 5000 capacity venue? 

Don ChaeuLe: I think Buea because I grew up there.

@237Showbiz: The established artistes from Cameroon today have worked for close to 10 years and above. How long do you think you need to work to bridge the gap between you and them? 

Don ChaeuLe: Well I have been around too though not professionally. I believe GRACE will make me bridge the gap in the shortest time possible.

@237Showbiz: What are your plans for the next 5 years? Is filling PAPOSY one of them? 

Don ChaeuLe: An album, a baby mama and lots of money. Yes of course PAPOSY is the ultimate dream of any artiste. There’s no better recognition than home recognition.

@237Showbiz: Was a pleasure having you on our interview slot! Hope to see you next time!

Don ChaeuLe: Thanks for having me guys the pleasure is all mine!

Interviewed By

Victor Kange

@237Showbiz: Chinjong X Chinjong a duo of DJs bringing in a new flare in the Cameroonian music industry. Can you guys tell us who Chinjong X Chinjong are?

Well Ch!njong x Ch!njong isn’t just a DJ duo. We’re House music artists composed of a DJ(Tracey) and a producer(Lonie)

@237Showbiz: How did you both come up with the name Ch!njong x Ch!njong” some people who got to know you guys through the Shayo song said it sounded Chinese!

– Chinjong happens to be our last name. Since we wanted our name to be as authentic as possible we decided to maintain it. Its actually a Bamileke name.

@237Showbiz: We’ve seen groups of dancers, singers and comedians before, how did both Chinjong X Chinjong siblings decide to become DJs? What spearheaded the passion?

-We fell in love with Electronic/ House music at the same time and we decided to merge our talents and create something beautiful and unique.

@237Showbiz: You are said to play EDM music, can you expatiate more on this and how different it is to other music genres?

-Electronic Dance Music or EDM is a broad range of percussive electronic music genres which includes AfroHouse, Progressive House,Trance,Dubstep,Techno to name a few. EDM differentiates it self from other genres in many ways, first of songs that fall under the electronic umbrella do not necessarily have vocals, electronic music producers are the performers. You don’t necessarily have to be a vocalist to be an artist.

”LONIE” (PRODUCER)

@237Showbiz: Your kind of music is still new in Cameroon and in some parts of Africa. How then do you carry out gigs and spin your discs for people to move their bodies?

-Its certainly not been an easy task. But we’ve come across a few people who know about house music and have the resources to put together parties strictly for House heads. You powerscan say we’re forming a small electronic music community.

@237Showbiz: Your amazing collaboration with Alpha Better Records singer Mr. Leo has received a lot of accolades ever since it dropped. Kindly tell us how the collaboration erupted.

-We sent the beat to Mr Leo on WhatsApp , few days later we caught him at the Alpha Better Records studio and he composed and recorded on the spot. Mr. Leo has always been someone we wanted to work with.

@237Showbiz: Days after Shayo was released, an upcoming artiste by name King Kum was claiming the title Shayo was stole. How did you guys react to this given that Shayo seems to have no meaning?

-Lol, a title is just a title. Are we now claiming ownership over words? And Shayo does have a meaning.

@237Showbiz: Can Chinjong X Chinjong give us a brief rundown of their normal day?

-We’ll meet at Lonie’s , bounce around a couple of ideas . Make music , play around with the controller. And the day usually ends with Booster. Thats mandatory.

”TRACEY” (DJ)

@237Showbiz: Your Shayo collaboration must have gotten appreciation from other Cameroonian artistes. Who else will you love to work with if they should approach your style of music?

–Salatiel, Daphne , Locko ….probably cook up some tribal Bami stuff with Boy Tag. At this point we want to work with anyone who shares the vision.

@237Showbiz: What are your future plans and projects? Should we expect more like an album with a dozen of Cameroonian talents in it?

-More shows and parties, more music and you should definitely expect more Collaborations with Cameroonian artists. Currently working on a lot of things we can’t share just yet.

@237Showbiz: Envy, hate, jealousy, greed, division are examples of the few plaques hindering the growth of the infant Cameroonian music industry. How can we overcome these ills?

-We think if we could all just focus on making good music , respecting each other’s craft and lifting each other as often as we can our industry would see sufficient growth.

@237Showbiz: What are the difficulties you face in the industry as DJs and at the same time producers?

-Our difficulties don’t necessarily stem from the fact that we produce and DJ but rather from the genre of music we chose to make. Alot of people can’t relate, most don’t even know what its about. Trying to make House music a well known genre in Cameroon has been a great challenge.

@237Showbiz: Where do you see yourself in 5 years as DJs and producers?

–Coachella, ultra Miami, EDC Las Vegas, having residencies in Ibiza during the summer, topping electronic music charts. Most importantly we hope to have inspired a lot of young Cameroonians to be a part of the Electronic music scene.

@237Showbiz: If you had super powers that could change one thing in the music industry, what will you like to change and why? Be it mentally or physically!

-That would be to make the music consumers in Cameroon to be more receptive and open minded.

@237Showbiz: Where does your inspiration comes from? Do you guys have any role models or mentors?

-Our Inspiration comes from any and everywhere. Sometimes we inspire each other, listening to new music is always a great way to get inspiration. We have artists we look up to from Black Coffee to Swedish House Mafia, the list is long.

@237Showbiz: We’re grateful you let us share a moment in the journey of your careers. Thanks for honouring our IV and hope to have you guys some other time maybe for a LIVE session so our followers get a taste of how your sound is.

-Thanks for having us. And we’ll love to share our music with your followers.

CxC.

Follow CxC on all social media platforms.

Twitter: @cxc_cmr
IG: @chinjongxchinjong
Facebook: @Chinjong X Chinjong
Twitter: @cxc_cmr
IG: @chinjongxchinjong

Interviewed by
Victor Kange

(#NaTengiYesu)

Also trained like a Peer Educator and a Change Maker, and worked indirectly for Plan Cameroon as a Cartoon Instructor, 2008-2010. Engaged in writing from 2007 to present; Writer, Poet, author of Phantoms of Somnolence, a Kantian Philosopher; my critical thoughts have come to be appreciated by many people dull people like me.

2014, I turned Music video Editor. Was Music video Editor at NS Pictures for a year, before resigning to pursue a Career as Music video Director. Shot lots of music videos for many emerging and established Cameroon Artistes.

237Showbiz: A good number of video directors we have spoken with claim they are self taught video directors. Does your case differ? How did you get into video directing?

As I child, I always stared in awe at the moving images on TV, it was CRTV all alone then. All the American Music videos got me…It was like the Videos were the souls of the Songs, like one art couldn’t exist without the other. This Appreciation of Music videos fascinated even me, and i took a fancy in watching more and more videos all the time. Around 2005, picked up a thick book at CRTV Bamenda, titled ‘’VIDEO PRODUCTION’, and keenly reading through it, I thus developed a strong artistic approach. Having left the University in 2013, i had a small camera I used to borrow from a friend. I stood one evening, filming ‘’BONAS CONNEXION’’, a music / hip-hop showcase at night. Rapping, singing, dancing was showcased here at night in chosen days of each month.
With my small camera, and filming away, A young man came and stood behind, and was clandestinely watching me and what I was doing. After that he approached me and told me that he was building an audiovisual firm, and will like us to work.
He then went ahead to put me under for a while under the mentorship of Tabi ZAMAH. For a short period, I learned fast, consulting YouTube and trying to recreate complex effects, and learning to shoot and edit creatively. I was soon discharged.
He is the first Man who ever put a professional camera in my hand, Collins Benrinyuy, the CEO of Sea Sound Records. I directed many videos under its subsidiary, SEA PICTURES, and in so doing to an extent polished my craft. NS Pictures soon picked me to become their in-house music video editor, a position I held for over a year, 2015-16.
I am now the music video director, editor for HIT54 STUDIOS, Douala.
Most of what we put out there, the art, the color grade, the lighting etc, it’s what we learned to a greater extent on our own, from the internet. And it means patience and strong self-will.

237Showbiz: You are responsible for all visuals that come in and out of the family Hit54 Studios. How does it feel being tied to a label? Is working independently less profitable?

Personally, I believe that what is holding a lot of us down, and a lot of bright smart people is individualism, and avarice. We need to believe more in collective effort. Only a bad company will slow an employee down. What a company does is provide the capital and the finance, so that the employee can easily unleash himself to the market through his works.
Wall Street, in the United States has some of the biggest companies, and all of these companies have at least 50 employees. Bright, smart,
Focused employees.
The closer heads unite for a definite goal, the more the prospects of achievement. For this Am nothing but happy, and together we shall add a strong impression on music and music motion picture, ceteris paribus.

237Showbiz: You’ve worked with some talented artistes in the industry. For example Kikoh’s Calamity Series, DE Faka’s chack just to name a few. Which music video has been the best you ever shot?

I see all my music videos as beautiful but ameliorable!!! My drive is to be better tomorrow than today. For this, I have no favourite yet!

237Showbiz: What are your views about the #HoldHandMovement? Are you a member? Is it worthy to belong?

I didn’t know it was a group, I thought before that it was and it is still an initiative. A good one at helping those who can and should be helped. It has helped a lot of artistes spring to a higher rung in their respective music careers.
It’s not a matter of joining groups before you feel like you too care or can help. I have given a hand to many artistes since my start and I keep doing so.

237Showbiz: At the beginning of this year, many upcoming artistes & some fans were against the 1 Million CFA price tag for music videos. What was your take on this?

I thought that as music video director, we need to do better, there is more demand for music videos, but there seems a tough reality we all have to reconsider. The people, indirectly or directly affected by the present ‘’political witchcraft’, keep crying for positive change in our eco-political status. I therefore think that it will be more civic of us to raise our price tag of videos to expatriates instead and to expatriates only.

237Showbiz: The KamerFest contest hosted by you and upcoming producer Mrmccoy is coming up. Tell us about it and what we are going to expect?

It is a great opportunity for hesitant talents to come forward with their amazing talents. It is an opportunity for the New Acts who hitherto had no platform to showcase their talents and/or skills. The Winner will be shot a music video for free, amongst others. There shall be a free downloadable beat, produced by Mccoy the Wild Ass Producer. This will be the official Template beat of the competition.
It’s all about encouraging hidden talents to challenge themselves and bring out the ‘’fantastic ‘’ best in them through the exposure we will create for them.
It also has many hidden agendas, which I can’t unravel here. What I will advise is that everyone should take the contest very seriously.

237Showbiz: Your TOP 3 music video directors you admire in Cameroon?

NS PICTURES
Adah
Shamak

237Showbiz: Earlier last month, your label and video department blessed Cameroonian artistes with an amazing discount on everything production. How did the clients react to this? Do they still complain?

Many artistes are coming and keep going…most are happy, others still complain pragmatically that they can’t still afford the promotional package. They say they have no money. I understand that. It cuts me to the heart to see a lot of people so helpless in this case. Those I can help, I do help…

237Showbiz: We’ve noticed that Camer video directors are talented but lack one thing. Each and all of them. If one is good in colouring, he’s bad in lights. If one is good in angles, he’s bad with aerials. What are you lacking as a video director?

I lack Perfection. Michangelo, Raphael, Leonardo Da vinci, they were all human beings, who produced art works that are today considered the magnus opus of arts… if perfection is thus attainable by humans, then here I am on that path bound for it.
I can say, without any guilt of boasting, and with every authority that I am one of the best shot ‘composers’ in the entire CEMAC region. Concept-wise, am working hard on that too.
It took me many years of pain to transcend to the realm artistic shot-framing from that of a ‘professional’ amateur, and i hope the difference becomes clearer, not only for me, but for the industry as a whole.
I have good colors, and I keep making them more visually appealing and telling of the video’s subject matter. Bad color-grade can ruin the intended mood, aspect, or imagery in a music video.

237Showbiz: Bringing back old wounds. At a point in time, you were in bad terms with a few artistes, for example Askia then you later apologized. How did this negativity affect you professionally?

I love to be realistic and emphatic, a lot of people, friends and followers were not happy with me, some decried my pragmatism, my over boldness, at the detriment of my solid relationship with people. I saw reason that some things when not well approached despite our intellectual vantage point may instead break what had been in the process of being built.

237Showbiz: Your Camer celebrity crush?

I have none, yet!

237Showbiz: If you had spiritual powers to overtake an entertainment industry like South Africa, Ivory Coast and Nigeria, will you use it?

It only depends on what Spiritual Power is, in this context!

237Showbiz: We are growing, Cameroonians are supportive. Unfortunately, some elements tend to bring us down. Hate, jealousy, envy etc. How can we tackle these ills?

Humility, everyone. Everyone should be ready to work with each other, and artistes should stop feeling like they are indispensable. The Hold hands Movement should work from Top to bottom. Approach your music like a business man. Learn to be smart! And control your temper and your ego!!

237Showbiz: You have people, young aspiring music video directors who look up to you, do you have a word for them?

You all should believe in yourselves and give a lot of your time to learning, and creating on your own. Do music video showcases like from other music videos, from films, etc, and show to friends, or put online. Learn how Cameras function, framing, editing, directing, lighting. ”Na Small Small.”
Am also open…A training project is already in place!
Am still young and believe that with my help we will have more awesome music video directors in the industry, and even work together to improve the industry.

237Showbiz: What can you say to explain the reason for the difference in your video, Dr Nkeng’s, Adah’s, Shamack’s and Feb 16’s?

Am a concept music video director. I direct music videos from my heart. What you see is what I see through my mind’s eyes…I try to create what I see in my mind, and not what I have seen others do.
I take my time to frame shots because of the mood i want to pass through them. I take my time to develop a concept and time to shoot.
I try to make the music video be as artistically independent of the song but still thematically related, as well as making the song artistically dependent on the music video, in cases where it’s the video that has to make the song bigger.
I verily approach music videos from their lyrics and thematic concerns.

237Showbiz: Nowadays the fans are video analysts. If your video doesn’t shine bright, it means you haven’t spent on it, meanwhile a dark video concept is a cheap video. Is this assertion true?

Our appreciation of art or works of art in Cameroon is not as refined as that from countries because of the mud-level quality of ‘’public’’ pedagogy and education!! Many Cameroonians have actually refused to give themselves reason to appreciate good works of art. To some, it is the brightness or HD quality that matters, to some, it is the color…but to me, it is the concept, and the color that enhances the idea or concept.
Colors speak more than what many imagine, and the wrong color can ruin a music video work. But above all, the script or storyline is the foundation of everything…it is on it every color, composition, editing and imagery stands.
There are many poorly done heavy budget music videos as well as there are many amazing low budget music videos. It’s all about the creativity of the director and the ‘’inspirationality’’ of the said song. Many songs usually inspire us or challenge us to create something more amazing from our past works.

237Showbiz: What are those aspects that can make the cost of a video go up to 5.000.000CFA?

Craft: a music video director who takes many many years to build his craft ameliorates from experience. When he does and is respected, he takes his price up as is the case with most small-to-big-switching businesses.
His name or signature on the music video is part of his brand and his art and art showcase. It does not come cheap.
Concept also matters in the price tag. Equipment renting also matters when making the final price list else, you may end up loosing money.

237Showbiz: One advice for upcoming acts in the entire industry. One word for those who want to take over Nigeria another word for the #SupportYourOwn trend.

Be humble. Believe in yourself, believe in team work. Believe in hard work. Research, avoid premature fame. And if u get famous early, or even if you get famous, let your humility be your point of attraction!!

237Showbiz: Thank you Geraldrico Guevara. #Team237Showbiz is Grateful to have you on our #237ShowbizDirectorsSeason

The PLEASURE was mine. Honoured to have taken the seat, Thank You!! Looking forward talking with you some day.

Interviewed by;

Victor Kange

(#NaTengiYesu)

237Showbiz: HD Filmworks’ very own Unkle Chinois is what you are fondly called by friends and family and colleagues. Apparently it’s a name used mostly when you are on set. However, we shall like to know who Unkle Chinois really is?

Akumbom Valery(Unkle Chinois): Honestly, I really don’t like talking about myself but I realize it gets to a stage you can’t hide anymore. Akumbom Valery is my name but popularly known as Unkle Chinois. Aka Proud Bamenda Pikin. I am a Media Consultant, Content Developer, Brand manager and Trained filmmaker. I have been in the industry since 2007 but actively present in the Cameroon scene since 2014

237Showbiz: When and how did you decide to become a man behind the cameras?
Our industry is always compared to that of the Nigerians. As someone who has worked in Nigeria for so many years with some very big talents in Nollywood, how can you compare the atmosphere there with that of the Cameroon entertainment industry as a whole?

Akumbom Valery(Unkle Chinois): Going behind the Camera was a dream, like most children I had a dream. I can’t really figure out when exactly but let me skip the early stage to an event I remember vividly. When we were kids my parents will always ask what we wanted to do with our lives. I always replied saying “CINEASTRE” (French word of filmmaker) back then I didn’t know the term filmmaker in English. It was an abomination and the word became an insult that was often used on me whenever I did something wrong. I harness the dream from childhood and protected it with my life.
In Form One while in boarding school CPC Bali, my “big” initiated me in the drama club.
When I actually left boarding school I went to a day school and what I did every morning when I left home for school was stop and clean a CINEMA hall before going to attend classes.
At the end of school hours I will come watch films, in some cases I won’t attend classes just to watch films- I was not really fan of video clubs because of my dad, he will beat the hell outta me anytime he caught looking just the posters. I love the CINEMA and I was a part time worker in the cinema houses in my town at the age of 14. Unfortunately, all the cinemas have been closed down. SAD! It was really a burning desire I really wanted to accomplish growing up. I still dream of buying that same cinema and revive cinema in Cameroon.
Hmmm! I created the 1st drama club in Lycée Etoug-Ebe.
I was among the 1st to start writing scripts to be acted in MONDAY show for CRTV…BACK THEN

Comparing Nigeria and Cameroon entertainment industry. I will like to state here I’m not just into entertainment, I’m into the world of MOTION PICTURES PRODUCTION i.e. film, Documentaries, TV commercials, Reality TV shows, which are actually my specialities not forgetting music videos as well. So back to your question about entertainment. Nigeria is established and growing but the Cameroon entertainment industry is a virgin land, fast growing maybe the fastest growing in Arica. There are a lot of unexploited potentials in Cameroon. I mean a lot. Meaning we have more advantages because its dominated by younger generation but there is no platform put in place by the authority charged to harness this sector nor the youths. Everyone seems to be doing it on his/her own. An example is I organized shows during youth week in schools a concept “freestyle street Battle” I started in Nigeria with a friend.
In Nigeria the authority are more cooperative and provide all it takes meanwhile here even when I visit schools I am charged with a fee and the procedure is just to discourage any innovative idea. That is just 1 of thousands examples.

237Showbiz: What do you think about the #HoldHandsMovement

Akumbom Valery(Unkle Chinois): HOLDHANDS (laughs) I don’t want to preach or put light on any fake doctrine. I like talking positivity whereby people can grab something.
HOLD HANDS is a good concept it doesn’t matter who initiated it BUT it’s irrelevant when it’s not practiced. So Ikeep on laughing cause it sounds good to the ears.
Let me tell you something… hold hand is well practiced in Nigeria. Let me cite you some examples that took me.
My Boss had a contract to deliver 36 Documentaries within 3months, we tour all the states of Nigeria and during production we were editing. The final stage was in Lagos where all assembling and editing was to be done. We were close to deadline and a lot was left to be done, only 1 called almost all the editors in Lagos showed up to our hotel for almost 10 days with their laptops. Some like Clarence Peters who was not available sent 2 laptops, DJ Tee came through. It was a massive hold hands movement that surprised me and we delivered the project on time thanks to collective efforts of people from same corps, we call it “ESPIRIT DE CORPS”
That is just one instance. I can’t reveal all here. In Cameroon, the hold hand exist no doubt but it’s within a sphere. It’s not a cultivated thing. Here is the right appellation is “man know man.” Let me state here that while in film school that was the 1st thing we were cultivated to understand TEAMWORK & TEAM SPIRIT.

237Showbiz: It is worthy to note that Jovi’s Don 4 Kwat was shot for only 75.000CFA. other videos go up to 1.000.000CFA. As an experienced director behind the scenes, what are those aspects that can take the cost of a music video to rise up to 5.000.000CFA?

Akumbom Valery(Unkle Chinois): Everything is negotiable. There is no debate on the price of production. Everything starts from concept, the more complex or complicated your concept is, the more budget definitely becomes high.You can’t compare a video that needs a plane and car explosion to a video that you will be driving a bicycle in the street of Molyko. We take into consideration crew, equipment and logistics such as transport, welfare accommodation in cases you will be shooting out of town. In fact there is no debate. If anybody needs cheap video they should think cheap concept. That’s all. Let me emphasis no idea is actually cheap. The execution can make the difference.
Let me reveal to you the videos from Cameroon I saw that motivated me to come back home and settle. They include, “Langa” shot by Adah Akenji, “Don for Kwat” shot by February 16, “Give me a sign” by Adrenaline. I had high hopes when I saw their works and after I discovered they had no formal training in filmmaking they earned my respect. SHOUT OUT to Cameroon Video directors. Talented guys with great potentials

237Showbiz: You recently shot the video Ngrimba for Blue Berry City’s finest Kikoh, full of culture and tradition. What is the message you are trying to portray in those visuals?

Akumbom Valery(Unkle Chinois): NGRIMBA Yes! We shot NGRIMBA “we” because I don’t work alone. I work with a team even if I do the directing it’s thanks to my team. Well the message we are portraying behind Ngrimba is clear, simply breaking it down will take us a whole day but basically I was trying to sell our culture by telling our story our way by using specific locations, props and other elements. the masquerade, the throne, the bullets, the peace plant, the grandma, the hill top, the green tree among dry grass, the caved stools. Every element was planned to be there.

237Showbiz: Do you have any exciting projects that will be coming up you want to tell us about?

Akumbom Valery(Unkle Chinois): Mind blowing projects are on the way. All my projects are exciting because I am going into each project to face new challenges, make new mistakes and learn something new but above all do better than the previous job. It only gets better as we climb. So presently I am working on a lot of stuff. Private stuff for sure but you know it’s slow because they are all self-sponsored that’s why I travel a lot to neighbouring African countries where I offer my media consultancy services to get funds and finance most of my projects. I have a lot. Let’s keep that for the future.

237Showbiz: The industry has a lot of obstacles, hate, greed and jealousy just to name a few. Many come in the open with a smile to resolve these issues but frown at the back. Do you have any disciplinary measures we can use to overcome these plagues?

Akumbom Valery(Unkle Chinois): Well, personally I don’t see it like hate but greed rather which is part of human nature but I think all this comes in play with the human nature of winning all the time. It’s a competitive world out there. Competition all the time but some individuals have to understand growth is mandatory and overtaking is allowed. So to overcome such attitude, “We” need associations to govern us. We need to come under an umbrella. Like football teams, who compete for trophies but are friends off the pitch. That’s why you see after each match there is jersey exchange. In some cases a team will buy a player from a rival team. It comes with maturity and we are not yet mature to organize ourselves. I think the time is now.

237Showbiz: Your best music video of 2017?

My best music videos of 2017? “Hmmm” well you will have to list so that I choose (laughs) I have a lot of good visuals from 2017
–Everything directed by By Adah Akenji
-Mangosi By Sharmak
-Deposer By HD filmworks

237Showbiz: What are your views on the category for Best Music Video for the Urban Jamz Awards?

Best music videos Urban Jamz Awards 2018? My views! Well the nominees all deserve to win. Unfortunately, there can be only one winner.

237Showbiz: Do you have a platform whereby young aspiring video directors are trained? If yes, what is the fee for training?

Akumbom Valery(Unkle Chinois): I used to train directors, Cameramen, video editors to form a team around me but due to their unavailability based on their study timetable when projects came up I had to stop but I am working on a new platform that will be revealed in the nearest future to train young and aspiring filmmakers.

237Showbiz: Upcoming artistes are fond of complaining that video directors charge up to 1.000.000CFA for a video shoot. Why do you charge that high?

Akumbom Valery(Unkle Chinois): Every video director has the right to charge what they are comfortable with. It starts from the relationship the client and the director have in common. Like I earlier said it all starts from concept. Even If the director is your friend, there are certain things that can’t be done in some instances. However, music video directors should be able to identify talents with bright futures and help if they can. A typical example is DJ Tee who shot most of Olamide’s videos when he just began his career. Why am I going far? I learnt Shamark did Stanley Enow’s Hein Pere practically free. I can also understand why some won’t help cause an underground artist will get the international spotlight and start disrespecting the people who stood by him when no one was there. However, it’s a personal choice and decision to help someone or not, nobody has ever been arrested for not helping but many people have benefits from helping. It’s just a personal choice to help if you really want to help.

237Showbiz: One advice you have for fans, artistes, actors and film makers in the Cameroonian entertainment industry?

Akumbom Valery(Unkle Chinois): My last words will be; “You all need to Believe in yourselves! Remain true to yourselves! Be ready to bend your rules when you get into a circle with new rules, don’t be rigid, be flexible to change towards a positive direction. To grow you must be ready for challenges, mistakes and use each failure as springboard to bounce back and to be a champion you must understand everything is competition. To break records you must compete because the records were set by others. This doesn’t make you enemies. In every game only one team can be champion but the moment you are recognize you automatically become a winner. So everybody can be a winner but only 1 champion at a time.

237Showbiz: That was all we could wrap up for you on our interview slot (Director Series) thanks for granting our request and we are grateful to be part of your career journey. We love you and what you do here at 237Showbiz.com.

Akumbom Valery(Unkle Chinois): Thank You 237showbiz. Sorry due to time I couldn’t reveal some stuff but in the future we shall have a lengthy chat. I feel so honoured to be invited to share my small experience. God continually bless you.

237Showbiz: Our pleasure. Thank you!

Interviewed by

Victor Kange

(#NaTengiYesu)

237Showbiz: Merlin Caren, many fans and followers only know you to be one of Cameroon’s talented music video directors. However I think there’s more you need to tell us. Who is Merlin Caren?

Yes that’s pretty true my biological names are KUE MERLIN CAREN I am 100% Bamileke I started ShowBiz as a dancer later a rapper/singer and today I am a video director I started ShowBiz professionally in 2005 I was once the best dancer in southwest for 3 consecutive years won Canal 2 DANCE FLOOR CHALLENGE in the year 2007 then later I traveled to Lagos Nigeria I danced along side with award winning dancer KAFFY, danced with WANDE COAL, NAETO C and some more Nigerian artistes I have once been a FANTA AMBASSADOR in Nigeria been on MTV BASE BIG FRIDAY SHOW with basket mouth featured on MTV BASE SHUGA MOVIE with ICE PRINCE, IYANYA and TIWA SAVAGE which was on BET and MTV

237Showbiz: How and when did you decide to take up the passion for moving pictures?

I started moving pictures in 2017 professionally meanwhile I have been doing online studies for the past 4 years I never went to a professional school to learn what I know how to do today YouTube is my best friend.

237Showbiz: Apart from undergoing training in cinematography, it seems possible one can become a self trained director, filmmaker and cinematographer. How slim are the chances?

Well I am an example I was self thought just by watching videos online and following the basic steps.

237Showbiz: You’ve shot music videos for so many artistes, both established and upcoming. What are the different challenges you face when it comes to these two different categories of artistes?

Honesty I love this question ok working with an established artiste gives you alot of room for creativity simply bcos the budget is not limited you can think anything and the budget will make it happen even though they mostly want to do ”over sabi” which might end up spoiling the whole show because you will do a setup which as a cinematographer you know it will be great but the established artiste will tell you to change everything just because in their eyes it doesn’t look good not knowing in the eyes of the camera which is the lense things look a whole lot different than what your eyes can actually see meanwhile with an upcoming artiste your creativity is extremely limited due to the lack of resources and budget to produce the music video.

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Merlin Caren & MI Abaga

37Showbiz: Are you part of the famous #HoldHandsMovement clique? What do you think about it?

I am not part of the #HoldHandsMovement but I love the initiative big guns like Nkeng Stephens is doing to support the aspiring and upcoming video directors

237Showbiz: At a point in time, upcoming artistes became fed up with the famous 1.000.000CFA price tag for music videos. What was your take on this? Do you also shoot for a million francs?

Ok my take in this is that you will shout and get mad at other directors when you don’t really know what’s involve

1.000,000 frs can’t even buy a professional DSLR camera like the CANON 5D mark 4 is worth 1.980,000 frs which is almost 2 million frs talk less of the lenses the gimbal and accessories they should go and price a PHANTOM 4 Pro Drone I don’t shoot up to 1 million because I am still growing for now I shoot as low as 4 hundred thousand frs because I admit I am not there yet but trust me when I will be up there like ADRENALYNE, NKENG STEPHENS, SKY STAR, ADAH AKENJI, NS PICTURES, FEBRUARY 16, and SHAMAK I will charge the same amount because this guys have worked so hard to put Cameroon on the map

237Showbiz: Your favorite Cameroonian music video of 2017?

My favorite music video of the year 2017 was “GORDON – Jaloux ” Directed by your favorite boy MERLIN CAREN #LuxuriousVisuals

237Showbiz: Shooting, Directing and photography are your main projects you are known for, are there any other projects in the pipeline? I once read from you months back, you were about to do a dance movie in Buea South West Region of Cameroon and someone else drove passed you and stole the project?

Yeah I have a lot on the table I want to go into movies and as for the DANCE MOVIE I had to hold back till the guys in Buea who stole my idea and they are now rushing to do a dance movie are done because my story is unique and will embark on it once the coast is clear and I will make all dancers proud with an amazing script, directing and concepts.

Merlin Caren & Olamide

237Showbiz: What are those basic characteristics than can take the cost of a music video shoot to 5.000.000CFA

To me I think it’s mostly locations, like some artiste fly all the way to Paris just for a shoot and the following week they are in Dubai renting Luxurious cars, classy hotels suite, first class models and mostly one in a million setups

237Showbiz: Your Camer celebrity crush?

Hmmmm well I will say Blanche Bailly because she got what I like lol “UKWU”

237Showbiz: What are your views on the category for Best Music Video for the Urban Jamz Awards?

URBAN JAMZ AWARD is a lil backward when it comes to that category just being honest because there were alot of great videos which didn’t make the list

237Showbiz: As one of the pillars in our tender baby entertainment industry, certain plagues are responsible for our slow growth. Hate, jealousy, pride the willingness to go solo and do it all alone etc what are the measures we need to abolish such practices?

The measures we need to adopt in order to abolish such practices is by supporting one another. Let’s join forces because a single tree can’t make a forest let’s all speak up our minds openly let there be a meeting called by some elderly and powerful men and women in the country to sit down both the established and upcoming artiste, advise them, educate them and create a path for them to follow I believe it will help the present situation in this our tender baby entertainment industry.

237Showbiz: Some video directors claim that the cost of their equipment are very high, leading to high prices. Do you shoot for less or follow the same mentality?

I shoot for less not because I want to but because I need to do that to showcase myself soon I will join the 1 million club not because I want to because as time goes by we are upgrading our equipments and this toys and not cheap this are LUXURIOUS TOYS my toys can build me a 3 apartment if I sell them talk less of when I will own toys worth 25 million then I will have no choice other than to join the 1 million club

237Showbiz: Can you boast of a training program like the Bonteh Digital Media Academy where you train aspiring music video directors and film makers?

Yes I have LUXURIOUS VISUALS ACADEMY where I train aspiring and upcoming video directors I teach them the techniques and give them the best tips and tricks in cinematography

237Showbiz: One advice for upcoming artiste who aren’t financially fit but pay up to 1 Million CFA for a shoot?

My brothers and sisters in life we have levels by levels go for what you can afford not what you think everyone is getting cos paying the 1 million is not the problem the real problem is when you want to promote the video when bloggers will charge u large knowing u paid a million for the shoot so paying 100K per blogger to promote shouldn’t be your problem that’s what they think so think wisely

237Showbiz: Thanks for accepting our request to join you in this career journey of yours. Team 237Showbiz loves you and what you do. Keep on striving.

Merlin Caren: Thanks to you and the entire team.

Interviewed by

Victor Kange

#NaTengiYesu

237Showbiz: Tell us a bit about yourself?

My real names are Ngyia Ndimufor Mac-cathy Proof. I am a final year student in Business Management, a MUSIC PRODUCER, Songwriter and also a young guy with a very strong Desire for success.

237Showbiz: You got into music production at a very young age, what pushed you??

So many factors. I grew up in a home full of music lovers, became the school pianist in primary school. as years went by i just found my self getting so involved in the musical field.. Becoming a Music Poducer wasn’t a matter of choice, i believe it is God’s will!

237Showbiz: There are hundreds of upcoming producers like you trying to make a name for themselves. What’s that extra touch that you’re adding to your style to remain outstanding and unique?

My name says alot! “The Wild-Ass Producer” aint no regular producer. I Create, i dont copy. Above all I Put God first in every project – which eventually brings out the best of Me.

237 Showbiz: You’re known for doing remake of instrumentals like Hiro’s touché Coulé, recently you did Mr. Leo’s Partout” what’s the reason for these remakes?

it is recommended for Upcoming artist to do covers of HITSONGS so as to gain  exposure especially at the early stages of their career.but in Kamer, the original owners of these songs hardly put out thier instrumentals. So i do this to ease the process and enhance the growth of upcoming artists and the Music Industry as a whole.

237 Showbiz: You’ve produced a few tracks, for example Sein Monty’s Bang Bang, Njie Moni’s Packaging. Which other artistes would you love to work with?

I’ll love to work with Ebako, Askia, Stanley Enow and Blanche Bailly

237 Showbiz: Your top 5 music producers who inspire you.

1. Don Jazzy
2. Edi LeDrae
3. Akwandor
4. Method J
5. IVO

237Showbiz: Edi Ledrae said upcoming artistes are neglected, as an upcoming producer, can you confirm this? Have you exprrienced such with already established artistes?

Oh Yes!  I have witnessed such but it instead gives me more reasons to work harder.

237Showbiz: How much will you charge an upcoming artistes for a beat?

It varies.. though i will Charge an upcoming artiste for a much less amount than an Established artiste

237Showbiz: Do you think Cameroon urban music would’ve grown without the existence of social media?

it will have grown though at a really really slow pace.

237Showbiz: As a baby producer in the industry, choose your parents; Tata Paul & Tilla, Salatiel & Charlotte Dipanda, Jovi & Mani Bella, Stanley Enow and Lady Ponce?

haha, this is a tough one…. i will go for Salatiel and charlotte dipanda

237Showbiz: What is it like working with a Francophone and Anglophone artiste?

its quite interesting working with both Francophone and anglophone artistes… Anglophone artistes are soo talented but, Francophone artistes Pay better than Anglophone artistes lol

237Showbiz: This topic never gets old. French is key to Camer music success?

No! Thats not true. if your music is Good it can make it round the world, even if you sing in your mother tongue.

237Showbiz: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In 5 Years I see My self WORLDWIDE God willing!

237Showbiz: Your Camer dream label?

Right now i dont wish to be signed under any established label… i got plans to create mine soon.. but if iam to choose, i would go for Alpha Better Records.

237Showbiz: Upcoming projects? What should your fans expect?

Fans?? hahaha abeg I am not sure i have Fans yet.. well alot of projects coming up.. most immportantly my ‘Potege’ Sein Monty is gonna be dopping something Epic prety soon.. so watchout!!!

237Showbiz: A word for your fellow upcoming producers, those striving to make a name?

“Creativity, Patience, Confidence and Consistency”- apply these 4 aspects in your art and Let GOd handle the rest..

237Showbiz: Thanks for letting us share your journey with you.. Hope to have you soonest when you’ve ”blown”

Thanks for having me 237Showbiz, the pleasure is mine…

Follow me on :
twitter: @iamMrMccoy
instagram: @iam_mrmccoy
facebook/iammmccoy

Interviewed by:
-Victor Kange
(#NaTengiYesu)

237showbiz: Hello TILLA aka God Mother!  Nice to have you on our platform @237showbiz. For fans who are getting to know you, who can you tell them Tilla is? 

Tilla Tafari: Hi man,thanks for having me I appreciate it. I go by Tilla Tafari aka The Godmother Don Dada from Bamenda. I am a musician and painter;and I love all forms of art. I am an introvert and love pets especially cats. My last cat’s name was Courage.

237showbiz: Some artistes discover their talents, others are discovered, then polished, what was your case like? Like how did you get into making music? 

Tilla Tafari: From birth,I have always been attracted to all art forms. I started taking lead stage roles form nursery school all through till I started visiting a recording studio (then called discothèque). At 14 I took on rap battles and by 17 I was into street rap and  Vzone mixtapes. In 2014,at 23,I put out my first official video,”Fire burn dem” and Extended Play(EP), “The Godmother” in collaboration with Magasco and Kay Dwin under BBoy Entertainment and that’s how I got into Music.

237showbiz: Many of your fans including myself knew you way back while at New Bell Music. Do you agree your former label brought you to lamplight? 

Tilla Tafari: New Bell Music definitely brought me a lot of attention but for the lamplight,I doubt that. Being there was the darkest period of my life. I would say they stole my shine. Before I went there, Fire burn dem was popping and I was already making money from my music. Through out my stay there,I made zero money and after I left I was unable to sell my music. I went back to square 1. It has taken me 2yrs ever since to climb back to this position musically,mentally and emotionally. Soooo… You see my friend!

237showbiz: Pantana,  epicish etc you’ve stepped on uncountable tracks more than any female rapper in Cameroon, which featuring would you say was the “Baddest?”

Tilla Tafari: Baddest collaboration??? “Ghana Must Go” ft Groovie Selecta. Making this song was so uplifting in spirit. We gocused on tapping into a different galaxy of diverse energy to channel a higher frequency on the record. Groovie is a fire ball. I Love creating with such energetic artists yuh knwo! Just the experience makes being an artist all worth it.

237showbiz: Music,  especially the rap game is full of competition. No matter how much you swerve, it will still come knocking. As ”Camer’s Best Female Rapper” do you see yourself maintaining the crown in the next two years? 

Tilla Tafari: First of all,I am a queen and I’ll always wear my crown regardless. Secondly, I am honored to be considered as,”Camer’s best female rapper”. Lastly,besides being “the queen of Camer rap” in 2yrs I strive for a whole lot more. Thank you.

237showbiz: Who is your favorite Camer music producer? 

Tilla Tafari: Afanyu

237 showbiz: Your fans think you’re not only talented, they also realized you’re very sexy after they heard your line ”Check my backside e dey like mountain”  Let’s make it clear. Is Tilla in a relationship? 

Tilla Tafari: Smh. Really??? They only realised I was sexy after that line? Lmfao. Lawd Am offended and for that reason I will not tell it. Rrrrah! Hahaha

237showbiz: Many people fall in love with their favourite artistes for various reasons, talent, looks, voice, charisma & swag etc In your own opinion what do you think you’re loved for? 

Tilla Tafari: I think I am loved for my music cus I realized a lot of people know Tilla’s music but they dunno Tilla physically.

237 showbiz: Who is your Camer celebrity crush? 

Tilla Tafari: No one right now,am taken.

237showbiz: Too much French in the lyrics of Anglophone artistes is a topic that never gets old  @237showbiz. Do you think the artistes are over doing it?  

Tilla Tafari: Art is limitless and can be expressed in all languages. A lil bit of language diversity never hurt anybody,but speaking one language all your life and trying to sing mostly in another language especially without really mastering the right pronunciations and slangs of that language is just a NO NO and a sure way to run out of content. What is more important as an artist is purpose. Personally, I don’t listen to unoriginal music but in a country as hard as this I guess people gotta do what they gotta do to survive. But the again.

237showbiz: Let’s talk about your own label God Mother Sound. As a label owner, do you sign younger talents? 

Tilla Tafari: Yes God Mother Sound signs other talents. I am currently putting together a structure that will suit our artists and best represent the Company.

237showbiz: Tell us  more about #TRT. The three songs you Released.

Tilla Tafari: The Reggae Trilogy is a compilation of 3 reggae songs which are an extract from my, “Your Highness” album. Reggae music is a part of me which people haven’t  really gotten to know yet and instead of 1 song, I decided to put out 3songs to make a bold and lasting statement and also in order for #Tillarmy to have some familiarity with this part of me before the album drops.

237 showbiz: You’re one of those artistes who complained about theft. Several YouTube channels who upload artistes music, videos on their private channels. This is a global problem as many people are victims. How can this problem be solved?

Tilla Tafari: I don’t know if the content theft situation can be solved,but it can be controlled. Artists or content generators just have to individually figure out ways to go about their content maximization.

237showbiz: Your TOP 3 female rappers from Cameroon? 

Tilla Tafari: For now Inna Money is the only female rapper from Cameroon I listen to and a lot of other underground rappers.

237showbiz: Majority of fans don’t buy songs online, they don’t click YouTube links. Apart from that, do you think hate, envy and jealousy is a few of those challenges holding down the growth of Camer music? 

Tilla Tafari: Oh yea,besides people not buying music online or clicking YouTube links,there is definitely hate,envy and jealousy in the Camer entertainment industry. The label artists hate on the indi artists and the indi artists envy label artists and underground artists and some fans are jealous of both the indi and label artists. We need to close up to form a structure,pick artists with leadership skills and let us all move in one direction. Seriously, Everyone in this industry can literally step up and start cutting checks to the next level in 2months if we all decide.

237showbiz: Does Tilla offer free services?  Such as collabos, adverts or do you charge? 

Tilla Tafari: Does McDonalds offer free food like burgers and fries? Uuuh I don’t think so!

237showbiz: Talking about ”Palava” Many have noticed you always have problems with the artistes, producers and directors you work with. For instance, Edi Ledrae for producer and Merlin for director. Don’t you think you’re painting yourself a bad picture with these feuds?  

Tilla Tafari: I don’t want to play the victim role here but trust me,being an independent woman in the music industry is not an easy task and will get you in all sorts of mumble jumbles. I have personal goals and a purpose that be ameliorated but can’t be changed especially by people who are too shallow minded to comprehend certain objectives and principles. For the record, you never really know the real stories,plus the positivity of my art will forever be greater than any negative feud anybody can cause.

237showbiz: People leave Cameroon to other nations for greener pastures, a wife will leave her husband because he maltreats her, please tell us why you left New Bell Music because you already made us know it’s a no go zone for any upcoming artiste. 

Tilla Tafari: The answer is in your question.

237showbiz: Magasco, Stanley Enow,  Locko, Jovi, Tzy Panchak & Mr. Leo. One person gets the Groom’s price?

 Tilla Tafari: Maybe but not so sure.

237showbiz: Are you also a victim like the upcoming artistes who claim they are being neglected? 

Tilla Tafari: Cameroonian music as a whole is being neglected not just the upcoming artists. There is a lot of disrespect even for main stream artists. Cameroonians rather cry in sickness (crisis) than rejoice in healing (music). They are so used to failing and barely surviving that winning or “making it big” seems ridiculous to many. Smh

237showbiz: We are yet to see a Tilla album. Don’t you think the Tillarmy has been patient enough? 

Tilla Tafari: I really appreciate Tillarmy for being there for me all through yuh knwo. I wish Tillarmy divine favor in their every endeavor. They deserve the very best. The album is everything wrapped with a ribbon on it. Can’t tell when but the album will be out this year.

237showbiz: If music has to come to an end worldwide,  what other art will you get engaged in? 

Tilla Tafari: I am naturally a creative person so if music ends today world wide I could be a lot of other things like a painter, photographer, actress, chef, home decorator, basketball, or an entrepreneur and sell the things I create or sell all sorts of other things.

237showbiz: Which Camer artistes will you like to work with? 

Tilla Tafari: I would really love to work with Charlotte Dipanda, Locko & Blanche Bailley.

237showbiz: Where do you see your career and label to be in the next 5 years ?

Tilla Tafari: In 5 years I will have full signed artists to God Mother Sound and I will be putting out my 3rd album. I will be ready for the restaurant business and I will also be running an orphanage and a musuem I both mother.

237showbiz: Some artistes, producers and label owners tend to exploit artistes, use their ideas then dump them. What can you say about this? 

Tilla Tafari: I think the music industry is always gonna be what it is;full of opportunists! Best advice I can give artists is to try to always have a mentor to whom they can always go to for career advice in order to better avoid such exploitative situations.

237showbiz: An advice for not only upcoming female rappers but women worldwide? 

Tilla Tafari: To all the women in the world, I say pick up your crown and wear it sister cus you deserve it! Let nobody make you feel any less about yourself. You are worth everything and you deserve it. Want it, dream it, hustle & grind till you own it! Woman eh!!!

237showbiz: Well God Mother, that was what we had in our minds this time around. Promise us we can stop by anytime. Thanks for letting us share your journey with us. @237showbiz loves you. Until next time..

Tilla Tafari: I appreciate it. Thank you for having me man. One love #Jahbless.

Well you heard it from the Godmother herself. Now its obvious those who had no clue about her have managed to get one or two. Please tell us what you think.  The comment section is all yours..

LISTEN TO THE REGGAE TRILOGY HERE

Interviewed by:
Victor Kange
(#NaTengiYesu)

Hint: All other early Questions about his Career can be Found in his first InterView (Here)

237Showbiz:  Welcome to another Interview Mic, Can you tell us if you left school to pursue your professional music career?How did your parents & family feel about your decision to go into music professionally?

Yea I did leave school to concentrate on my music career after I got signed to Kreef Ent. The only condition my mom gave me was that if I can do music and pay my bills then she’s fine with it. I should just make sure I never call home to ask for anything because that will be a sign that the music is not working lol
237Showbiz:  Do you play any instruments? Or produce? are you already making enough money from your craft? and what difficulties are you facing?

I can’t play any instruments but thanks to some lessons i got from SlimBeatz I can attempt to produce but not professionally. I can also sketch an idea of what I want a beat to sound like then take it to a producer.
237Showbiz: You recently released The Mic Monsta EP some weeks back and it was received VERY WELL. Some people described it as the PERFECT Ep. Tell us how long it took you to put it together?

I’m honestly so happy with the response I got from “ Mic Monsta The EP” and the truth is, it was more than I expected. Most of those songs were recorded around the period I dropped “Fear” and that’s about a year ago. The most recent song on the EP is “Time”. I badly wanted to put the songs out cuz I was already feeling how much I’ve improved creatively.
  237Showbiz:  okay great. So what is your favorite song from the EP? What inspired your song Blow? Do you feel like you have blown yet?

My favorite song on the EP is “Time” because of how deep it is. What inspired “When I Blow” was a conversation I was having with Arré and Dready Christ the first week we moved to our new apartments after we just got signed. That’s me and Arré, then Dready came to visit and we were talking about how dreams are beginning to come true. Then BeatBaller called to tell me he just emailed me a beat. Immediately I downloaded and played, we did a little freestyle and I recorded a video with my phone lol. Crispy later joined us and we showed him, he just said I should not change the topic that it was dope. I just told them this will be the first song on my EP and so it came to pass.
237Showbiz: Before you released your EP there were rumours that you wanted to leave your label Kreef Ent. Did you want to leave for real? and Why were you silent for a longtime?

Actually, I was not quiet. Our original plan was for “Freedom Of Speech” video to drop February 6th (which was my birthday) but life had something else stored for us. After the first shoot with NS Pictures, we reviewed and removed some scenes so it was obvious we had to reshoot and that’s how Adah Akenji came into the project. But I guess that’s how God wanted it to be cuz with all the difficulties and obstacles at the end we had the perfect video! That’s what was keeping me down, not like I wanted to leave Kreef.
237Showbiz:  Till now, are you satisfied with where your Career is? And do you think Eva and Ebangha have what it takes to push your career to the next level?

“Mic Monsta The EP” is my very first big project with Kreef Ent. The EP has 7 songs and we’ve shot videos for 2 of the songs and both had very great response. The fanbase is growing genuinely at home and abroad and I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished so far. You guys should just hold tight and wait for what’s coming next.
237Showbiz: You’ve done a few collaborations already, is there anyone you haven’t worked with yet that you really want to work with? If someone wants to Collab with you is it free or do you charge them?

Yea I’m very open to collabos, and with me the sound comes first. I need to make sure it’s a good song cuz I hate to disappoint my fans. Secondly the song must have a video shot by a professional video director. Every other thing can come later.

237Showbiz: Kreef has been inviting/organizing shows for artists In the United states for a while now, How come you being their Main artist havent had a show in the states yet?

Kreef has been organizing shows for artists that have at least 7 videos to their name. That’s enough content for an artist to make an hour on stage. Taking me along at that period when all I had was “Fear” video don’t seem genuine. We can’t play ourselves. I’m busy creating content and when it’s time for an international performance I will gladly do with all confidence.
237Showbiz: Okay great. So Do you plan on doing a National tour? Or whats your plan on promoting your EP?

Yes hopefully, the “Fear Tour” was postponed because of the instability in the Anglophone regions at the time. It was not completely cancelled. So we might resume and use the opportunity to promote the EP too.
237Showbiz: How do you feel about the rap game in Cameroon? Do you feel any competition?

Our industry is growing and the more rappers emerge the stronger our hip-hop foundation. I don’t see anyone as competition cuz how I write my lyrics will always stand out.
237Showbiz: Do you have a girlfriend? Now that you’re somewhat famous, how has life changed for you? Do lots of people recognize you when they see you on the street and stuff?

Yea I do and a lot of things have changed. When people stop me for photos around Buea it’s very normal but when I’m out of town and I get the same reaction it’s really amazing!
237Showbiz: Who from this list can you Marry, Date or Be best friends with ?