TIPTOPSTARS

Just before scribbling this eulogy, this writer, in a conversation with a young Cameroonian of the Afro-hop generation drowned himself in a deep reflection. The latter’s very little knowledge about Guy Lobe, Cameroon’s legendary makossa singer just fallen, did not surprise me. He was not born of the generation that lived the sweet glories of the Cameroonian genre. “He is the lucky one,” I told myself. “He won’t have to fry his head nor sink in such misery we are going through.” Of course, the young man won’t have to batter his thoughts about the genre that is not falling alone, but fading along with its heroes. Then, I began to understand how non-awareness at times could be safer.

But, the Guy Lobe generation has to bear this weight – no choice! I now assigned myself the task of explaining what Guy Lobe meant and still means to Cameroon. My listener was interested for an obvious reason – in this Hip-Hop age, if a makossa artist of yesteryears becomes prominent on social media, then there is more to it than meets the eyes. So, he gave me his attention.

In my exposé, I told the keen listener that Guy Lobe is (hate to use ‘was’ in this case) to makossa/Cameroonian music what Michael Jackson was to Pop. He owns some of the richest chapters in the enviable history book of the country’s music history. Makossa, today being said to have hit the rock was and in some places in the world still considered as the genre that has created an indelible mark in the history of African music. Its power spilled across the boundaries of Cameroon. This was thanks to some icons, amongst them the fallen hero, Guy Lobe.

As young school boys, I told my listener, we savoured Guy’s music like mad. His style was unique. His duala (Cameroonian mother tongue spoke by natives the country’s coastal region and the economic capital Douala) was clear enough to be synchronized and you had the impression (even when you did not hail from Douala) that you understood what Guy was singing about. His French wordings came out so clearly. His pidgin (lingua franca) was decodable. Guy’s voice was the irresistible charm. Perhaps, his own makossa beats were those that whisked you off your seat, even if your music senses were numb. In short, Guy made likeable!

He was a Douala boy and they knew how to brand themselves! His cassette jackets were a representation of brilliant stylishness with designer outfit that were meant for him alone. Guy and co had ferried makossa to Europe, to France were it was known, liked and savoured. He would tour Africa, Europe and the rest of the world and provided his audiences with the infinite pleasure of enjoying Esele Mba, Mon Ami a Moi, Solitude, Union Libre, Degager, etc.

Just like other musicians at the time, Guy Lobe was a celebrity. This meant you would always express your wish to watch him perform live someday. Cameroonians living in the then Provincial (today regional) headquarters occasionally had the opportunity to do so when he came calling in one of those famous music caravans that were en vogue back in the days. For others, TV had to do the trick. And so excitement and anxiety would take control of the scene each time CTV (later CRTV – Cameroon Radio and Television) Speakerines (as programme announcers were described) announced that Guy Lobe was going to be guest on Tele Podium. Tele Podium was a crowd-pulling music show run by ace singer Elvis Kemayo. We would defy sleep, stay awake to watch the makossa icon do his thing later in the night on the show. It was the same scenario with V Comme Vedette, hosted by Foly Dirane or Tropicana by Rose Mbole Epie. If Guy Lobe was going to be guest on Tam-Tam Weekend, it was the same excitement.

For one thing, Guy was a gifted composer. You would have the impression that each day he went to sleep, he woke up with a new song. This was reflected in his consistent release of a new album every year. In fact, the time lapse between Cocou (1990) and Malinga (1991) would have been just a couple of months.

As time went by, Guy gathered more fame, fans, friends. He inspired many along the way and whipped in serious decisions in some – the decision to ply the music road in the quest to give their country what big brother had given with his all. Makossa maestros such as Papillon, Nguea La Route and Sergeo Polo became pioneer examples of Guy’s disciples. The trio are said to be related to the fallen singer, the first two biologically.

In the mid 2000s, Sergeo Polo had a couple of scintillating tracks with Guy Lobe, amongst them the sweet-sounding Africaines, folkloric Alliance and Jenny. Those songs were a manifestation of brilliant vocalizations exhibited by the duo. And each featuring Guy Lobe did earlier or later was a masterpiece.

It’s true in recent years, the makossa legend had slowed down his pace, naturally stemming from his elderliness. However, an unfortunate heart accident (as Guy himself put it in an interview) kept him really low-keyed within the last two to three years. Earlier rumours of his passing on had been dispelled and his fellow country folks were glad to know Guy was still alive, until his last breathe came on Monday March 16, 2015, exactly one year after Lapiro de Mbanga (of blessed memory) bid bye.

Shock and consternation, but consolation in the fact that Guy Lobe had lived a professionally fulfilled life! If his makossa was his own contribution to Cameroon’s cultural development, then Guy scored excellent. He may have gone, but his music plays on. But wait – artists done pass on – they live forever! Long live Guy Lobe, the bao! Vive l’artiste! Vive Guy!

Yesterday, TIPTOPSTARS, in a straight news story, reported that Cameroonian actors living at home and abroad are geared towards electing new leaders under the banner of the National Actors’ Guild of Cameroon (NAGCAM) this Saturday, February 28, 2015. In the article, we mentioned that the organizers (the current acting bureau under the leadership of Ala Leo) complained that the silence of Moma Pascal (said to have been deposed) and Otia Vitalis (actor and Cameroon Film Industry, CFI Board chair) was a major challenge to the smooth running of the upcoming elective General Assembly. The acting president explained that he had tried to reach both personalities to no avail. We wrote to Moma and Otia for their reaction but by press time, none of them had responded. The former later reached us for his views and professional ethics (balanced reporting) requires us to publish his own side of the story.

On the line to Yaounde, Moma Pascal who said he is still the President of the National Actors’ Guild of Cameroon (NAGCAM), dismissed claims that the acting bureau had tried to reach him. “He has never called me,” he said, referring to interim NAGCAM President Ala Leo.

Speaking to Editor Ernest Kanjo, the Yaounde-based actor who said he was democratically elected for a three-year mandate which is yet to end, distanced himself from any elective General Assembly arrangements by “an inexistent group” (as he put it). “There is no election on February 28 and any such arrangement is unconstitutional. By the way, the President of CFI, Otia Vitalis has put up a communiqué, condemning the so call GA,” Moma told us. “I’m therefore declaring the said elections null and voids, in my capacity as the national president of NAGCAM.”

Moma has since late last year been considered as erstwhile president when it was reported that he had been deposed and impeached for financial misappropriation, allegations which the actor refuted in strong terms. “I have never mismanaged funds nor been impeached. Ask them if they are registered members. Non-members don’t impeach. I have NAGCAM branches all over and members believe in me. The organization is doing fine,” Moma retorted.

According to Moma, he took over NAGCAM which at the time, looked like a regional thing, run from Bamenda with only English-speaking Cameroonians and empty coffers. In less than a year, he created branches, opened an office in Yaounde and is about now heading to make the guild national by including French-speaking Cameroonians. With such achievements, Moma say he has nothing to be guilty about and whoever wants to challenge him should do that via the ballot box at the end of the mandate, if at all he would want to run for another term.

It is not clear what the outcome will be after Saturday’s elections. At press time, Moma was rushing to a movie set when we would have loved to know if he was ready for a consensus with the opposite camp. TIPTOPSTARS will definitely be back with both parties.

February 28, 2015 has been described as a Saturday to remember for Cameroonian movie actors living at home and abroad. Under the banner of the National Actors’ Guild of Cameroon (NAGCAM), it is a day they have set aside to choose the ones amongst them, who will ferry the aspirations of the group to the greatest height within the film industry in Cameroon.

In Cameroon, the February 28 NAGCAM election has been the talk of the industry, perhaps because the actors’ guild is the most vibrant within the industry, at least as far as ordinary observation is concerned. TIPTOPSTARS was told all roads will be leading to Buea’s famous Hotel Residence Carlos, situated in Muea, venue of the elective General Assembly.

“We had some delays obtaining permission from the Buea Administration, but I just got a call that the file is ready and we can now secure a pass,” Ala Leo, interim NAGCAM President told us, when we contacted the Bamenda-based actor who is at the head of the GA organization. “We are now set to go with the accord of the Buea D.O,” Ala Leo went on.

The acting NAGCAM President however explained that the apparent silence of Moma Pascal (NAGCAM President said to have been deposed) and Otia Vitalis (actor and current Board chair of the Cameroon Film Industry, CFI) has a psychological toll on the group. “I have tried severally to reach both of them, but neither Moma nor Otia would pick up my calls,” the NAGACAM interim boss reported. “Even when the Cameroonian Ministry of Culture asked us to have a meeting with Otia Vitalis, he would not,”

TIPTOPSTARS wrote to Otia Vitalis and Moma Pascal via Facebook for their reaction to the allegation, but by press time, both personalities had not responded. 

According to the acting President, this however, hasn’t stopped the NAGCAM elective GA from taking place. Reports indicate that actors Fred Takum and Kesha Kena are vying for the post of president of the NAGCAM.

In the diaspora, the same exercise has been billed for Saturday. Cameroonian actors, under the banner of Actors’ Guild of Cameroon – USA are gearing towards having new leaders. “Preparing is going on smoothly. I have noticed a lot of enthusiasm amongst members,” Mat Atugon, current acting President of the Actors’ Guild of Cameroon – USA told this reporter. Logistically, all is set, the agenda is ready and venue for the GA arranged, Atugon reported. He further explained that a Constitutional Committee will be set up to work with the elected officials in view of adapting the NAGCAM statutes to suit the USA branch. 

So far, Terence N. Limona has publicly declared his intension of becoming the USA branch actors’ guild boss. Fondly called T-Boy by film industry folks, his candidature has already been endorsed by a good number of USA-based Cameroonian actors. It is little of a surprise. The Houston, Texas-based actor has demonstrated militated love and interest for film industry issues to the point where he is ready to bear every weight.

Talking to this reporter on the line to Houston, Limona said he was motivated to run for the presidency because he has come to terms with the fact that Actors’ Guild of Cameroon – USA is an elitist group, with people who need to be considered as such. In such a group therefore, communication has to prevail, which communication, the young actor intends to provide through his leadership. “To that effect, we will talk, criticize constructively, bring forth development-oriented ideas and fix the basics that are required for us to advance as performing artists,” he told us.

Limona told us that he will be encouraging his folks to do entertainment with a lot of fun, but committed to those things that truly define their careers, professionally speaking. To that effect, their rights as actors will not be joked with. “We will create a very professionally liaison between producers and artists and make sure excesses are thoroughly controlled,” he explained. “We want quality work, either in the administration of the group or the performance we will be dishing out as actors on set.” Limona went on: “I’ll be a president with an open-door policy, accepting everyone as we share our goals in total trust of each other.”

Limona, who is also a certified and practicing Accountant acknowledged that it will not be chocolate running the group from its top position. “But, we will achieve our goals if we work together,” he cautioned.

Meanwhile, Maryland-based actor cum singer, Ntube McBright Powell aka B1 and actress Edith Pikwa are postulating for the position of Public Relations Officer (PRO) and actress/model Nathalie Bih has declared her wish to be the Cameroon Actors’ Guild – USA Treasurer. 

These elections (first official for the USA branch) come at a time actors in Cameroon are in dire need of branding following recent concerns that they are not creating any impact neither at the home front nor abroad. They have generally been acclaimed for their giftedness and brilliance in their performance, yet very little is known about Cameroonian actors by their country folks, let alone the rest of the world. 

In a 2009 interview with Emeka Ike, one of Africa’s movie acting legends, endorsed, Solange Yijika, Moma Pascal aka Bob, Lynno Lovert, just to name a few and told this reporter he was ready to work with them again and again. Other foreign actors have given their Cameroonian counterparts an excellent score, yet the latter have not progressed to the front seat of the bus.

Who has to brand Cameroonian actors? Is it the media? Is it the industry? Do the actors have to settle on self-branding? These questions have lingered around for so long and seem to be the most pressing issue at hand as NAGCAM goes in for election. Meantime, efforts are being made in the direction of branding with the creation and running of multiple social media platforms to sell the image of Cameroonian actors.

TIPTOPSTARS comes back to this story after Saturday’s election.

Passion for something is one thing. Hard work is another. But skills in it must be present, if success is expected. The third of these options is a reality, when it comes to Missy BK. Her savoir faire in music is as glaring as the impressive reaction that follows each of the singer’s music outings. This time, it has even been more spectacular with the release of Ndolo, a new singe that seems to be beating the brilliant records the young Cameroonian singer had created in the past.

In a typical Missy BK style, Ndolo dropped like a stun, getting every music lover off their feet. It is a love song par excellence, sweetened by an irresistible melody that replicates the Canada-based contemporary artist’s giftedness in the art she knows best.

In the 3.19-minutes-long track featuring ISH and sung in English and pidgin (lingual franca), the author declares her filial love for parents, yet reveals her attachment to siblings. In words like “I no di kolo, na ndolo”, literally meaning she is madly in love, the singer aims at portraying the strength love can exerts on humanity, especially at a time the world is going through avoidable crisis, some of which are a result of the lack of this much-needed value.

Produced by Willbeatz Productions, Ndolo, from all indications is making great in-roads with the media playing a salient role in the track’s promotion. The artist has lined up radio/TV interviews this and next week, to tell the Ndolo story. Amongst them are the ones with the Buea-based Mount Cameroon FM, run by CRTV and Batimu FM, run from Belgium. These interviews are supposed to have taken place by now.

On Thursday February 19, 2015, Missy BK will be on La Voix de St Laurent Quebec and two days later, she will talking on CIBL Radio, Montreal. Sunday February 23 will be POM Radio’s turn with the young and dynamic radio host Prince Oro. On Monday February 24, the author of Ndolo joins the Africa Crest Radio team in talking about her new single.

Ndolo (meaning love in Duala – Cameroonian mother tongue spoken by the people of Douala, Cameroon’s economic capital, and its environs) comes less than three months after her organization, the Missy BK Foundation shared love with some 38 orphans in Buea via a philanthropic gesture. That the December event and her newfound passion in humanitarian activities would have inspired Ndolo, is what TIPTOPSTARS will be finding out from Missy BK. But for now, savour Ndolo and show the artist some love by supporting the project.