TOP 10 BEST CAMEROONIAN ARTISTS OF THE YEAR 2018
2018 was an okay year in Cameroonian music, despite the unstable anglophone regions and the presidential elections that made many temporal politicians, the influence of this distractions and tools slowing the growth of industry didn’t stop the current giants of music in central africa from doing what they love doing best. Cameroonian artists kept the industry alive by giving us reasons to believe why the Cameroon music industry is one of the most productive yet neglected assets of the country and economy. 2018 had way less hits when compared to 2017, but nevertheless thousands of songs were released and a good number of the songs actually had massive media spins, radio play and was rotated on TV on a regular. Below is a Countdown of the Top 10 Best Cameroonian artists of the year 2018 in order of merit based on:
- Hit Songs, Impact of the songs Released, Featurings, Shows, Artistic value.
BELOW ARE THE 10 BEST CAMEROONIAN ARTIST OF THE YEAR 2018.
10. Maahlox
Currently Maahlox is known by many as “LA RESISTANCE”. Despite haven been restricted airplay on most National stations for his 18 + lyrics , the Rapper has carved a niche for himself Online that has made him one of the Most Influential artists of our generation. MAAHLOX did grow his fanbase to a very huge number in 2018. His frequent social media posts about day to day Happenings has made him an artist of the people and a fans favorite. The Rapper released 5 singles in 2018, Fini avec, L’eau salle, Mange Ta part, Prends Ta Part seulement and the street anthem for his street wear MOUF. The track that made waves from all his released singles was FIni avec, and the Rappers Movement to Fill UP Paposy was the highlight of the year 2018. Maahlox was arguably one of the most booked Cameroonian artists in 2018 after Daphne. Maahlox had shows in both Europe and Africa in 2018. The Rapper was indeed remarkable and influential in 2018. He Occupies spot 10
9. Salatiel
Alpha Better Records Boss and singer Salatiel is currently one of the Most influential Cameroonian artists in the industry. From his productions to the singing, Salatiel has most often been given credit for being a Producer and less credit or attention to his singing. In 2018 , the artist actually paid some attention to his singing career and it yielded fruits. Salatiel‘s released singles such as Weekend , Sans Complexe ft Magasco on his featuring on Rembourser by Meshi and C’est La vie by Mr leo all made him a huge name Impossible to leave out of the Top 10. Although the singer is still to see the song that will spread like wild fire, the impact from his different singles released could be felt by music fans in Cameroon and many bellieve the music god is close to his big break. His recently released Comme Ca(A Nous deux) featuring with Camer music pop Queen Daphne is currently on a diplomatic passport, with the songs impact rising faster than the price of “Fungueh”. Salatiel occupies spot 9.
8. Magasco
Golden Boy Magasco is a cut out from a Golden cloth. From his music to the brand he has build , has set him on a path which is Unique and is yielding fruits. His Sokoto released in December 2017 became a hit and remarkable single in the first half of 2018, becoming his second official HIT after Wule Bang Bang. Magasco’s verses on all the 4 Power series singles (Donner Donner , Laissez Passer, Validation )has gone a long way to show fans how versatile he can be. He also released other singles such as Zamba, Under my Bed, Move Your Body with the singer dropping a verse on a good number of tracks such as Por Favor by Dj Mohgreen, Mado by Kikoh, Mbongo Chobi by Togolese Damsel Senzaa , Sans Complexe by Salatiel , Trop Parler and Soldier by Pit Baccardi. Magasco released a joint ALBUM titled KINGS alongside Pit Baccardi in the second half of 2018. His concert at the Yaounde Multipurpose Complex(Paposy ) on the 22nd of December allthough half full graced his music year.With more than 10 years experience in the game, the Bamenda Boy doesn’t look like he will be going anywhere. Bedi Beng beng beng, it’s about to get real in 2019.
7. Blanche Bailly
Blanche Bailly was not only notorious for disturbing social media with some sexy ass and boobs pictures through out the year, she did excite the music fans with some good music too. Queen Mimba Came through with another HIT in 2018. She released 2 singles Bon Bon and Ndolo in 2018. Bon Bon was one of the HIT singles that made mad waves in the first half of 2018, the success of this song is proof that the strong bond between the singer and her producer Phillbillbeatz keeps yielding positive fruits. The chorus of the song “Je ne suis pas ton bonbon ” has become a popular line used by the youths in the country, thereby impacting the culture and contributing to her huge influence this year. Blanche’s recently released song Ndolo produced by the fast rising producer Mccoy Twap has also been receiving much love and attention from her fans. To cap off an already great year, the singer headlined Most of the major concerts in Cameroon by Orange and was on a Europe and african tour. Queen Mimba just proved to us why she isn’t a one hit wonder. It only get’s better, Queen Mimba is for sure heading for top stop using her God given assets to stimulate her fans the right way. Bailly occupies spot 7 comfortably.
6. Ko-C
Cameroon’s fastest rapper Ko-c has seen enormous growth in 2018. Under Big Dreams Ent, Ko-C has become One of the Top A- list artists in just a short time. Ko-C‘s singles Bollo C’est Bollo which was released in October 2017 gained massive fan attention during the first half of 2018 topping the List on most Music Channels both home and in French Africa. The Second Quarter of 2018 was highlighted by his second HIT track Balance’ in which Tenor featured in. Balance’ was easily one of the biggest songs of the year 2018 and to grace it’s results the song won a price as the most downloaded song on MTN Cameroon. As if it was not enough, the rapper after blessing his fans with 2 Hot singles, decided to end his amazing Career year with another amazing mid tempo song Sango featuring with Benin’s Fanicko that is another potential hit spreading like wild fire. In 2018, Ko-C has headlined a good number of shows in Cameroon, and his music has seen his fanbase rise reasonably both in Cameroon and in french Africa, with him gaining a some love after his trip to Ivory coast. Ko-C’s delivery when he is given the mic, Dancing skills, and his ability to sing and rap has earned him a level of respect setting him on a separate lane from critics who saw him as a shadow to Ghanaian rapper Sarkodie. His Verses on tracks like Valide remix of Numerica, We need Peace All star, make many to wonder what the rapper has to offer in 2019. Ko-c secured the bag, and put out relevant music that will be encoded in the DNA of a typical Cameroonian music fan for a longtime. We see stars like him just once in 10 years. We need to give him the mic often y’all.
5. Tenor
If you talk about Rap to the young generation in Cameroon without mentioning Tenor, it will make you sound like you smoked some “Joviweed” (Joke) . The Young rap stars rise to fame is the first of it’s kind since the moment when “2 Pan pepper soup bebi na Nkolo Fap”. In 2018, the Universal Music Africa’s signee released an EP titled NNOM GUI with a reasonable number of amazing tracks. His Hit singles such as LVMH, and À L’IMPARFAIT had a good impact In Cameroon and Africa without forgeting his single Appeler featuring KIff No Beat. The Highlight of the Rappers Career in 2018 was his Concert at the Paposy that was a success with a huge number of fans who showed up to support him. The Buzz created from Tenor’s singles and his crazy performances at his shows in Europe and Africa, his contribution to the success of Ko-c‘s Balance , without forgetting his Paposy Concert made him one of the Most Influential Cameroonian artists in 2018, hence earning him spot 5.
4. Locko
Locko is one of Cameroon’s A-List artist that has proven that he will be around for a longtime. It’s hard to hate on such a talent that’s emanating positive energy and good music on a regular. In 2018, Locko did great with his first studio album The Bridge that was released in the first quarter of 2018 bringing a blend between established, mid career and upcoming artists on his debut album which was packed with good music. His two singles Booboo released in the first half of 2018 and recently Hein Hein Hein featuring Singuila are all songs that have received air play and has been the fan favorite on numerous occasions. Locko’s album The Bridge released in the first half of 2018 is arguably one of the blueprints Cameroonian urban music packed with features in the likes of Ko-c, Mr Leo, Nabila decorated with a good number of HITS. Eventhough Locko broke up with his former production house Big Dreams Ent. the Talented singer who later got signed to Universal Music Africa might have taken some time to feed his fans with new music but the impact of his album and the already two mentioned songs make his name impossible to leave out when talking about the Top 10 Cameroonian artist for the year 2018. Locko occupies spot 4.
3. Daphne
Coming from a buzzing year for the Pop Queen 2017, it is save to say Daphne secured the bag, more than she did release music in 2018. Her HIT singles Promet Moi and Jusqua a la gare released in November 2017 was the main official anthem for most Marriages and events around the country in 2018. The Calee Crooner did proof to Cameroonians that she is far from being a One Hit Wonder, In 2018 Daphne released two singles My Lover and Ne Lache Pas . My Lover was released in April of 2018 and the song has since then received a reasonable support from fan’s but way less when compared to the HEAT and impact she created in 2017 . Daphne had an OKAY 2018, but the impact of her Okayness still put her at a reasonable spot in the list of the Most relevant artist of the year. Oh Papi , Daphne made quite some reasonable MULA/NKAP/BUDGET AKA Money in 2018 as she had an African, Europe and American Tour. She had a sold out show a remarkable number of times in Guinea, Mozambique, Gabon and Mayotte. The List is not Complete if the Queen of Cameroonian urban music Daphne is absent.
2. Mink’s
“Les gars vont encore dit que je……..” Cameroonian starboy Mink’s had an amazing 2018 when we talk about Music in the fast growing Cameroonian music industry. The Ach4life signed rapper has made ladies almost pull off their bra during shows for the sake of love for the Urban Hit Maker. Mink’s in 2018 released singles such as Koi Me Fait which Locko featured in, Couper L’appetite featuring Benin based super star Fanicko , Le Dehors est Sucre. His extra touch on HIT Songs Like Ça Va Te Tuer by Dj Kenny which was one of the most celebrated songs of the year, and also Mon Gout by Xmaleya. His influence this year spread outside the music circles, as he also did a great job on impacting immensely the Cameroonian music culture as he was one of the main headliners for the Made in Cameroon music festival that was held in the USA in July of 2018. Mink’s hardwork,dedication and his amazing verses on all of the Power projects (Donner Donner(Power 2)), Power 4 (Laissez Passer) has earned him the title King of Features in the Cameroon music industry. He has grown remarkably to a National sensation and many can’t wait to see what he has to offer in 2018.
1. Mr Leo
2018 was not a perfect year for Mr Leo but still yet he stood out with the different songs which he released. But for his frequent fashion backlash from fans, there was still something to ride home about which is the music, Mr Leo was one of the most consistent Cameroonian artist of the year. In 2018 Mr Leo released 5 single’s Namely: Je Suis Desole, On Se Connait Pas, Jamais Jamais Remix featuring Flavour, C’est La Vie featuring Salatiel and Je suis a Toi . Je Suis Desole and On se Connait Pas were the two singles that really made waves for the singer both home, abroad and in French Africa. The impact of the songs from his Love original album released in the second half of November 2017 received it’s attention and impact more in 2018. Making him the artists who has topped the Playlist of Cameroonians the most. Coming from an artist who released Jamais Jamais the year before, critics have suggested although the LION MAN was consistent, Leo might need to fasten his seat belt for 2019 if he has any hopes of making it into Africa’s Top 10 Anytime soon.
Worthy Mentions:
Stanley Enow : Stanley could have been a strong contestant for spot 10 , his single My Way featuring Tzy Panchak and Locko, which is arguably his second HIT since Hein Pere has played a major role in his comeback as fans await the coming of his second studio album “STANLEY VS ENOW”. Casanova although with heavy promo had an okay impact for an artist currently having 5 years experience in the game.
SHURA : Cameroonian singer SHURA signed to SME did see some growth in 2018, with her Hit song Allez Dire getting much attention in the first half of 2018. SHURA did great, but needed a backup song to keep her elevated and many can’t wait to see what she has to offer in 2019.
Nabila ; Regn records signee Nabila has received much love from her single Ca Va Aller! she closed an improved Career year from 2017. Nabilla is an asset!
Meshi: Zion Records Queen Meshi has put quite some effort in taking her Career to the next level. Her hefty singles Rembourser, Come For ME, Guetter put her at a good spot ready for competition. Watch out for Meshi, her comeup might be blur to some but she’s coming with that FIYAAA.
Hope you enjoyed the article, Now you have one job to leave a comment behind about who you think made the most impact in 2018 musically from Cameroon.
Written By:
Emmanuel Mfon
#MediaLord #Bulldozer #TrendGuru
Good one
But I I think jovi needed a spot on that list atleast for his twitter and social media #Rants.
lol
minks was supposed to be on Top, Mr Leo recent hit didnt really hit Up compare to Minks
Yeah absolutely correct
This is an okay list. Good job guys, I really enjoyed the uniqueness of your content, zero copy and paste…I like bloggers who add value to Blogosphere. Blanche Bailly
Thank you ! you are always unique in your content too! Happy New year.#Iyunadeblog
This is a wonderful article Emmanuel and I very much agree with your list.
Consider me one of your most consistent readers as from today.
The classification is okay for me
Blanche Baily with her last 2018 HIT is perfectly outreach #MccoyTwap keep it up
I wanna thank Dr Keng Stephen for making things happen in the Kamer music industry #WeTakeAnotherShot
I believe minks was supposed to top dat list given the number of shows ,and hits he had
I dont think locko should have been number 4 as booboo was an okay song
D big hits he had were my way,kitadi,hein hein hein
Maybe number 5
Mr leo isnt number 1 too
Apart from tagt ,the list is fair
Ko-c to me should have topped the list..
But nice article though..237 appreciates..
@237showbiz
As long as a banso boy is topping the list then no problem
Good work guy
Good try but I guess u forget mic monsta who kept the fire burning in 2018 #change#ya#style#
Mr. Leo I don’t think.
Minks’ to me the Locko.
Good write up. Just to add that Shura released Dis Moi Tout and Nabila released Tromper ft Tzy Panchak at the end of 2018 which you didn’t mention. 2018 has been a good year for Cameroonian artists.
My suggestion is before you make your top 10 list could you have people vote (or maybe comment on ur Ig/fb page or so and give reasons for their choices. For instance the person on your spot 1 seems to be a wrong choice in the eyes of many when it comes to hits of the year and I can’t agree less with them. Just a suggestion tho’ I know voting doesn’t really work in our system lol but we could give it a try.
Perfect classification.. All the artist made a merit of their position.. Mr LEO AKA LION MAN.. congrats baba
It’s a great list. In order of Merit I’ll say Malox deserves a greater applaud than minks. He’s a tried setter and one.of the most influential artist in the industry. There is no way blanch and minks can hold a better spot than the guy who introduced everyone to parlais de sport.
Perfect classification
Mr Leo has no anglo fans around for now as they claim he neglects his langauge of origin and panchak should have been in that list with songs like I’m not lucky, love me, the strugle and feat on my way and was also first afro artist to host a concert in South Korea
I believe this classification should not be on songs love by individuals . Atlesst let’s classify bsssed on record sold, concerts sell out , consistency .
For me , Mr. Leo deserves that spot . And my man Ko-c needs to be a runner up .
i think B boy Magasco should hv been first..he ws incredible this yr
To me, the classification is ok but l think u ommitted Mr Leo’s c’est pas nouveau but apart from that it’s ok.
Wow amazing performances. Kudos to all doing great work.
If my opinion was asked, the first is ko-c amd the second is Daphne, third locko ..before any other person comes in.
I will forever love and promote the music of my country. Love you all..
And please let’s also view the great work mic Monsta is doing
Let check his realise from “fear” to “change ya style”. He deserves to be in the top ten. He is an incredible artist.
Mem a mic pascal et jovi.. They are top too. I appreciate somuch all efforts.
Please let’s look into mic monsta’s hits before constructing the next top ten list.
Mr leo first means u are good in ur logic. He is a genius so far as came music is concern. Keep up bro