NEW TUNE: Tzy Panchak - Woman Crush

Blue Nations protegee is back after sweeping the world with a very picturesque video of Ngueme. This time around he focuses his unique vocals towards adoring his woman crush. As usual the lyric Video has taken off with a lot of positive comments coming in. Unlike his previous songs which were predominantly produced by Slim Beatz, Woman Crush  is produced by MOG beats.  Tzy Panchak even though highly underrated keeps his consistency in releasing content frequently. Listen to the song below 

RYTHMZ -TOBASSI VIDEO

The duo who recently signed a distribution deal with Empire Music and Sealed it off with the release of Boboloh are back again with a romantic tune. The Phillbill produced  song professes and celebrates love and was shot by Adah Akenji. With more than 10 years in the industry, the group is focused on getting the top of the mountain. Watch The video below

Magasco - Move Your Body

Off the heels of Bella, Magasco is back again with a very catchy tune titled Move your body. Based on the title, it sure targets the evening scene and we should be expecting a video full of dance moves. Magasco who is in the US right now has been on the scene for a long time and he is one of the very few consistent artist in the 237 urban scene. The song was produced by long time friend and producer Sangtum. Click on the Video below the listen.

THE RETURN OF MIC.. PART 1 (CAMER ENTERTAINMENT INSIGHTS)

The Rap throne in Cameroon has been very similar to a dictatorial regime for the last 6 years,  as virtually one person has sat on it. The leader of a close but other political rap party Mic Monsta was seen as the hope for a regime change but disappeared shortly after his first campaign (Fear), Since then we have seen efforts from many duplicates or rather clones to fill the vacancy but it has certainly not been the same.

Mic Monsta the kreef protégé has resurfaced today with a banging video and an EP. The video (Freedom of Speech) features Dready from the group P.I.M Boys.  The song itself is a very catchy tune, somewhat of a potential club banger. Three steps ahead I can easily see this song being infused into a Mr. Eazi playlist because sonically it’s at the same level. Scratch that, virtually every popping afro pop is influenced now by that Ghanaian sound. However, one can forgive the replacement by the originality of Mic’s choice of words and the fact that the hook is overwhelmingly catchy. I would go as far as to say that that this song predominantly belongs to Dready.  The video tells the cliché love story of your neighbourhood talented guy who steals the girl of Mr. rich/strong man but gets beaten up and possibly kidnapped at the end of the video. The visuals are top notch as to be expected and Adah was able to paint the picture vividly with the help of NS pictures.

This video ushers in a fresh restart for him and his label. This song would definately expose Mic to the mainstream media a lot more than Fear did. The way forward might be very green especially considering the fact that he just dropped an EP.

I will explain the EP in the second part of this piece because I truly believe you cannot explain of body of work with one or two plays.

Salam Ma Lekum!

EVA NDUMBE: THE DEFINITION OF A STRONG LADY/RAP HEAD. (CAMER ENTERTAINMENT INSIGHTS)

The idea of a strong woman is spoken about more than it is welcome. Someone once told me that "Women are the niggas of society". A lot of emphasis is on speaking about the equality of women rather than actually treating them as such. Companies will hold conferences and preach about gender equality but when you take a look at the pay slips, it tells a different story. A guy would spend time advocating for "strong" women on social media but will still get offended when his wife,fiancee or girlfriend talks back to him. Do you actually know what a strong woman is? Can you handle the idea of a strong woman?

I happen to know a lot of admirable ladies in the Cameroonian entertainment industry but one actually stands out for reasons that are not exactly exalted today. The most popular ladies on social media are usually the ones trying very hard to put themselves out there via their pics, ranting and scarcely their work. I often have conversations with Eva Ndumbe of Kreef entertainment on literally everything important because she has proven to have an educated stand point on a lot of issues. We have actually gone back and forth on Twitter regarding the Jovi/Stanley issue but fact that she doesn't necessarily agree with Jovi's tweets and yet he is her favorite rapper in Cameroon sets her above your petty biased social media stance.

Eva Ndumbe grew up in Cameroon where she had her A levels and later on traveled to the states. She has always had a keen taste in music, fashion and culture. As a teenager she worked in Tv stations and Radio houses in Cameroon, so it has always been her dream to become an entertainment mogul. She returned to Cameroon in October 2015 shortly after founding Kreef with Ebangha; Kreef which is home to Mic Monsta. She started a Radio show Dope Music in August 2016 and the rest is history. It is not her achievements that dazzle me but rather the thought process that goes into what she says and does.

When we refer to rap heads we predominately hand pick males to feel in those shoes but I would put my money on Eva's knowledge of hip hop and rap against yours on any given day the sun comes up. Take a peak at her brains via this chat.

Aboki: What is your take on the state of rap music in Cameroon, Africa and the World?

Eva: Most Cameroonians are mostly entertainers. The real rappers are not acknowledged. They have to water down their music for the public to enjoy it which is very disheartening.  

Africa remains the same reason being they started rapping with their touch  and got accustomed to that and I am referring to Nigerians, South Africans, Ghanians and Gaboneese etc

Worldwide it hasn't changed but A LOT has been added on. Kendrick and Cole still make a huge impact in the world. Fat Joe, Remy Ma etc. But then new age hip hop, Lil Yatchy, Lil Uzi Vert etc have brought it in a different touch. A watered down, more emotional side of hip hop which is very difficult for "OGs" likee us to accept. Rap isn't soft, compassionate and all that mushy stuff. So when these kids come in singing like that, it's a hard pill to swallow. We accepted Wiz Khalifa with his watered down shit because well it wasn't THAT watered down. But these blouse wearing, choker wearing, colored beaded braids Ass youngins will be the ones to make male gay rappers a trend.

She has equally expressed the fact that while it may seem like a corporately good idea for managers and PR teams to handle their artists accounts, sometimes the public wants to connect and bond with the artist and not the robust machinery behind him/her. Managers should guide their artist and NOT get involved unless necessary. It is sad to see that a lot of labels/managers are busy fighting for fame rather than promoting the artist.

Aboki: Is it ever okay to "Clap Back"?

Eva: Clap backs are tricky. You have to be a master of sophisticated clap backs to be able to do it. If you aren't, better shut up. "Profanity is a language of the weak." - Eva Ndumbe Quote me one day.

It is not surprising that I agree with almost everything she said. So Why do I consider her a strong woman. Leaving a America and taking the risk to settle in Cameroon isnt an easy nor popular choice. Especially when the decision was mostly linked to the entertainment industry which is in no way lucrative at the moment in Cameroon. So why take the risk from the comfort of America to the streets of Douala?. 

I believe her idea of a strong woman better answers that question.

"A strong woman to me is one who is independent. She handles her business like she is supposed to. She isn't scared to ask for help or show emotion for fear of being judged. A strong woman is unapologetically, fiercely and wholeheartedly herself. She likes what she likes, she loves herself in whatever shape, size or color she is and you will like her as she is or you keep walking. A strong woman has a voice and is not scared to use it. As self-sufficient and independent as she is, she isn't scared to immerse in tradition and share her life with someone."

"She is clothed in strength and dignity and she laughs without fear of the future." - Proverbs 31:25"

The idea of being a strong lady is not being the only one heard, It is not about refusing to cook or wash dishes in an effort to prove to the world that you have standards. Like one of the oldest saying go "Actions speak louder than words."  Eva Ndumbe is quietly setting a trend, building an empire in an arena where people pride themselves on foolishly swinging their sausages around.

 EVA NDUMBE IS WORTH YOUR TIME. PROVE ME WRONG

Salam ma lekum

Fear By Mic Monsta Is More Than Just Bars

By this time most outlets have already written about Fear. Most critics have already given their opinions and some conspiracy theorists have.. Oh well.. Come up with ways to redefine  ridiculous.
Ah don notice sey mehn dem go air time wey dey hear langwa way Mic drop am and its quite entertaining. Thing is very few people have spent time to look at the song and the message   It goes beyond the fancy bars and the not so subtle tittle.

Take for instance the first four lines.
It basically tells you the frame of mind he has at the moment. You don ever hear say money kill millionaire or swag kill nianga boy? (Too much water nefit ki fish). Like rap is too easy. The common mistake that most people make is assume that most rappers wake up in the morning and just start writing songs. Most people don't see the amount of time that has passed to enable them master this skill. So Perica don tanap fine fo rap/mboko and is saying this is too easy. My bars ain't simple.. I don't do it ordinary, if you are going to rap test me, it better be extra ordinary.

He goes on to address the aspect of people boxing people or rather him in. Given his not so fancy videos in the past, people have thrown shade at the artist. However this was just a stepping stone. Side note he is one of very few artists to get a Jovi feature. Dah kine nigga, you sabi me? ( mehn dem don cush me ah juh look them na with eye). In as much as he realises that a lot of people are coming for his neck, he also knows that he has solid backing within  Ebangha and Eva (kreef), various rap heads And Media personalities. However bottom line is its his time. He has been waiting a long time and its like hey, I need to take my props at this time. No one gives you the crown in rap, you seize it. ( Im all about me, myself and only I).

Ah fit write dah kine wan Ocean for decrypt dah song, but I'd rather you do it and get excited like when you pass a very hard stage of candy crush. This candy however can't be crushed... Get it? Loollll candy.. Cant.. Sweet.. Crush..ed.. No? Ok forget it.

I said in an article I wrote for vault magazine that Mic is currently sitting on the lyrical throne of Buea rap and he is now sitting on the Visual one as well. Miss me with your favorite underground rappers name. Thing is Mic monster and Nkeng with the backing of Kreef, has done a simply amazing job that needs to be applauded and if I know anything about the very stubborn Ebangha and the geek Eva, its is that I can count on them for a viscous post promo schedule.

Keep on watching and sharing #fear Video..

Salam ma Lekum!

ABOKI DIARIES: 2015 RECAP EPISODE 1 ( MIC MONSTA, ARRE, NGOMA AND PRINCE ENOBI)

The phrase let "by gone be gone" ought to have a reliving essence to it. That "lets leave our sorrow and pain in the past and focus on the future the bright future" huh. However what is the future without a solid past? What is kwacoco without banga soup? Ok that has nothing to do with this. Looking back at 2015 sort of prepares us for 2016 and the greatness that comes with it. After speaking to couple of artists and a CEO of a music label, it seems a lot of people have an optimistic look at things. Despite the struggles and hardship of 2015, it did not seem to slow down their determination or hope for 2016. Have a look at what they had to say when asked How 2015 was..