TIPTOPSTARS

Within the backdrop of the ongoing health crisis in West Africa caused by the deadly Ebola disease, USA-based Sierra-Leonean actress, Winstina Taylor has called on people of goodwill to donate prevention material to countries affected. Winstina was speaking on Afrikka Radio’s African Cocktail with Ernest Kanjo in the show’s most recent episode.

The award-winning actress who is also a well known philanthropist explained that helping out Sierra-Leone, Liberia, Guinea and Nigeria was a matter of urgency. This help, Winstina insisted, must not only be financial. “It should even be more of preventive equipment given that these countries, left by themselves cannot handle the situation,” she held.

To the Maryland-based artist, multiplication of prayers and educating the masses on this complicated disease remain capital. “People need to be aware of the mode of transmission of Ebola and most important how this disease can be prevented,” Winstina said. The actress regretted the fact that in trying to help infected family members, people have to contract the virus themselves. She urges them to be more cautious even in the process of helping loved ones.

Speaking on the radio show alongside Winstina Taylor was Giileh Kebbie Scholz, another illustrious daughter of Sierra-Leone. Battered by the current crisis, Giileh explained that it was time for the world to unite efforts and save these countries from such a tragic situation. “It’s about people dying and we don’t know how much damage Ebola would have caused to these countries by the time it is leaving,” she feared.

Both concerned West Africans who are involved in a current save-our-souls campaign told African Cocktail that they are working with several organizations and groups that are collecting material donations which will be shipped to West Africa. “There will be an Ebola drive donation on August the 16^th and 17^th and another one on August the 24^th,” she announced. Giileh announced further: “An ecumenical prayer session has been slated for Greenbelt, Maryland this Sunday, August the 9^th, starting at 4pm.”

The two illustrious daughters of West Africa urged well-wishers to contact the embassies of Sierra-Leone, Liberia, Guinea and Nigeria for any donation.

The situation of the Ebola outbreak that began a few months ago has aggravated with over 900 deaths recorded. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared it a global emergency with western nations urged to come to the support of countries affected.

One of the most memorable moves that came alongside the liberalization of the audio-visual sector in Cameroon is the featuring of local music (Cameroonian music in this case) on the airwaves for a greater portion of daily broadcast. Within the first few years, if not months, some privately owned radio and television stations respected this. But no sooner had this worked out than foreign music re-emerged to win more airtime to the detriment of local music. In other public places where music is maximally used, foreign music stole the show as well. Laudable attempts to re-inject local music have failed and it is now clear that foreign music has dug really deep to an extent where it is more convenient to say it has killed local music completely than to state otherwise. However, some Cameroonians have vowed that this current dispensation cannot prevail – they just cannot fold their arms and watch Cameroonian music being flushed down the gutters. It is to correct this wrong that Kumba-bred West Don has risen with Takeover, a concept that is aimed at having Cameroonian music dominate public places and the media. The King of Ajebota as the Afro Hip-Hop singer is affectionately called thinks it is time to sensitize his country to the level where acceptance of Cameroon’s musical prowess will become the order of the day. TIPTOPSTARS’ Anang Christy Ijang quickly developed interest in this latest cultural concept and rushed to West Don, soon after the young singer got back to town from Nigeria where he spends a greater part of his time. The reporter and artist settled for a comprehensive talk recently in Kumba. Excerpts!

Anang Christy Ijang (ACI): Hello West Don, you’re welcome to TIPTOPSTARS!

West Don (WD): Thanks very much Christy. I’m thrilled to be here!

ACI: So what is The Takeover Concept all about?
WD: The main idea behind this concept is tocreate an opportunity or room for Cameroonian music to gain grounds on public platforms including streets and the media.

 ACI: Why a takeover concept?

WD: I realized it was time for Cameroonians artists to see reasons to and start promoting their own music and eventually inspire our artists to promote our rich cultural heritage. By so doing, we will be molding another generation of music legends not just in Cameroon but in Africa just as it was back in the nineties.

ACI: What inspired the takeover concept?
WD: I spent some time in Nigeria and Ghana and realized that whereas only ten percent of foreign music is exploited, these countries play ninety percent of home-produced music. This inspired me to come up with the Takeover Concept which if well implemented, might just be one important solution to our struggling music industry’s several problems.

 ACI: How have your peers or fellow musicians reacted to this idea?

WD: Oh! They have been very interested in and eager to know more about the concept. In fact, every artist has seen it as an evolution and are all ready to contribute to its success. And trust me, even the French-speaking artists are beginning to warm up to this idea, because, we are all aware that we can only succeed if we stand together.

ACI: The media have a pivotal role to play in this, what has been their respond?

WD: You are right! Truly this whole idea can never succeed without the full involvement and support of the media. Most media outlets have embraced the concept.We already started discussions at different levels with a few in the South West region and they have assured us of their total support. 

ACI: How much progress has been made since you started working on this concept?

WD: So far we’ve had meetings with some DJs, Radio and TV stations in the South West and North West regions, but I think that if we have to fully succeed in this, the government needs to support this concept.

ACI: What difficulties have you encountered in the course of the implementation of the Takeover Concept?
WD: We have faced minor challenges here and there, but the biggest one has been from DJs who complain that their customers are mostly requesting foreign music and they fear losing them if they don’t comply.

ACI: Why do you think Cameroonians consume more foreign than local music?
WD: This has to do a lot with quality and creativity. That’s why quality music born out of inspiration is always at the center of our deliberations. If things are done in the right way, there will be a definite turn around. We need to return to Cameroonian music.

ACI: You are now trying to takeover K-Town. How far do you plan on taking the concept?

WD: The Takeover Concept is not only for K-Town, but for Cameroon as a whole. Kumba is just the starting point. Of course, it is my town and I think it’s a good thing to make it my starting point.

ACI: Thank you for talking to us and good luck with the takeover concept.
WD: Thank you too!

 

 

A sensation! That’s the most apt description for Rendez-Vous, a new single by AMBE, hitherto known as Denzyl. It requires just a single exposure to the Afro Hip-Hop track to fall in deep love with it. “AMBE is a whole bunch of musical talent. He represents artistic excellence and is on his way to create a record that won’t be so easily beaten,” someone described the young singer after listening to Rendez-Vous.

Similar reactions would surely have been heard in Cameroon where Rendez-Vous is said to be on every lip and in the diaspora where Africans in general are savouring it with much appetite. And there goes another captivating piece!

For those who know Rendez-Vous in Bamenda, headquarters of the North West region of Cameroon, this popular neighbourhood is as interesting to live in as AMBE’s Rendez-Vous is as sweet to sing and dance to. It is this neighbourhood in which the artist grew up that the inspiration for Rendez-Vous is plucked.

In the track AMBE recounts his life’s experience, characterized by ups and downs. The downs, the author of Rendez-Vous says, have just been lessons on how to tackle the future and be successful. He has thus been on his feet, hustling to have money, be successful a make his life beautiful. In a context where he is courageous and have the determination to make it, why would he not become wealthy as world striker Samuel Eto’o Fils, business magnets Fotso Victor and Ahadji Dangote or even the leader of his country - dreams AMBE believe will turn into reality. But certainly, not the one of rising to a position of responsibility and staying there eternally as has been the case with some folks in his community! In a show of gratitude, AMBE thanks God for life and for the fact that problems are short-lived.

The soul-searching single can be consumed for free on AMBE Soundcloud. TIPTOPSTARS will subsequently run interviews with the artist.