Camer rap happens to be one of the best rap in Africa. This we might agree because of the different languages and mixtures left on every beat. French, English, Pidgin English and the vernacular. Being a bilingual country, the only in Africa, this gives us a unique taste in the blend of languages used in music.
I have noticed a few of our 237showbiz.com readers raise different point of views on the choice of words our rap artistes, most especially Jovi LeMonstre uses in his lyrics. Some fans went as far as saying with his choice of lyrics, explicit content, his music cannot make it to the international scene. Others say his rap style is a déjà vu and he needs to change his style else he will be stuck forever in Yaoundé. Another reader went as far as saying he is cursed. However, let’s not make it a Jovi LeMonstre subject matter, as this circles around other established and upcoming rappers in Cameroon.
Mboko and mixture of French, English and Pidgin English is the style of rap Jovi was the first to iintroduce in Camer rap, many artistes likely became a fan of the trend and took the bold step to follow suit. If fans are saying this choice of lyrics cannot make the international scene, whereas we see and hear artistes like the Mic Monstas, Kikohs use something likely to mean the same, does it automatically mean they shall remain  stuck? Should they switch style? Is Ko-C’s delivery preferable? Tell us what you think, the comment section is all yours.
Collabos are good, for both artistes, it brings in more fans and skyrockets the music to higher heights. Does this means one must do international collabos before he or she succeeds in their career?  I don’t think this was the case of ”Hein Père, ”La Sauce” or even ”Calée”. All what these artistes deserve is full support, constructive criticism, less hate more love.
I have heard rappes from other countries used raw phrases, talked dirty on beats and their music still hits even the suburbs. Music with strong language is now banned in Nigeria like ABC. Davido’s Fall, IF and Olamide’s WO! was recently banned. I personally don’t think these songs are more ill socially than how some Camer rap songs actually sound.
Furthermore, some fans went ahead by saying they can’t allow their kids recite such lyrics. Well I think if an artiste wants to send out a song, album or music video, there’s always a disclaimer on the bottom left of the cover art stating ”Parental Guidance, Explicit Content” therefore I believe it is the parent’s responsibility to know what his or her child listens to or watches. Music for me can go places, mindless of the choice of lyrics, videos or collabos. I’m sitted here and still wondering how Psy the Asian who sang the hit song ”Gangnam Style” hit more than 1 Billion Views on YouTube. You and I didn’t understand a single word, if i’m handed a smartphone, I can come up with that same video. Still it made waves that year.
Finally, some of us don’t even buy the music we tend to criticize so much, since we’re getting it for free, let’s appreciate it. A hungry man won’t complain of the garri being cold and the soup hot will he?
-Victor Kange
(#NaTengiYesu)