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