TIPTOPSTARS

Any narrative that does not mention Gasha as one of the pioneers of the current phenomenal era of Cameroonian urban music would be wrong. 
Her emergence almost seven years ago was a remarkable signal of what has become a successful music movement today. For one thing, Gasha is so distinguished, even when her genre is common amongst the artists of her generation. She gives it an additional touch that makes anything Gasha so cajoling. It is hard to tell if the artist, author of the timeless KHAKI MBERE, went on a sabbatical because her tracks have the propensity to stay with lovers of Gasha’s music forever. But some feeling of the artist’s absence for a while was gripping enough to entertain questions of her whereabouts. Did BACK TO LIFE, released over a fortnight ago answer that question? Even if it did, there are certainly more questions fans of the artist plus listeners of Apex 1 Radio would have loved to have responses to.
Gasha will be our guest on APEX SNAPSHOT on Apex 1 Radio – www.apex1radio.com this Sunday, March 4, 2018. The show which will be broadcast from Columbus, Ohio, USA begins at 12 noon eastern time (6pm in Buea). Produced by Marcel Adig and Ayo Akinuli aka AY, the show will be hosted by Ernest Kanjo, accompanied by Crystal Beauty of the Crystal Beauty Show. Award-winning Gasha (AFRIMMA 2014 Best Female Artist in Central Africa) hit the music road in 2012 and since then, has marched on to success with distinguished collaborations with frontline singers including Stanley Enow, Magasco, Nabil and Ugandan Eddy Kenzo.

Books, especially the ones whose stories address topical life's challenges, are only said to be successful, if their intended impact is felt. There is no other comforting satisfaction authors of such books could enjoy than achieving such an outcome. This thesis is certainly incubated in the mindset of Antoine Gnintedem, USA-based Cameroonian author of  Doom, Gloom,  And The Pursuit Of The Sun. Doom, Gloom, And The Pursuit Of The Sun is a new book which will officially see the light of day in the coming days. It is however on sale on www.amazon.com  already.

Unlike other profit-oriented art projects, Gnintedem's Doom, Gloom, And The Pursuit For The Sun comes with a mind-blowing charity package which the author humbly considers as a contribution to the social development of his country, Africa and the world at large. According to the author who resides in Memphis, Tennessee,  a portion of the proceeds from sales of the book will be donated to hospitals and organizations in Cameroon and the USA.

In February this year, the Doom, Gloom, And The Pursuit For The Sun Train will be making its first stop-over to deliver to the Mbengwi District Hospital in Momo Division of the North West region. "This will be followed by St Jude Children’s Research Hospital in March 2018," a statement from the author reveals.

The Calvary Apostolic Faith Church, Louisville, Mississippi will be visited by the Doom, Gloom, And The Pursuit Of The Sun charity in April while the Catholic Church of the Nativity, Bartlett, Tennessee gets its turn the following month.

According to Gnintedem, schools are not left out of the Doom, Gloom, And The Pursuit Of The Sun charity plan. The statement from the author writes: "We shall be delivering to the Olympic Glory Bilingual Nursery and Primary School, Yaounde, Cameroon in June 2018."  The first phase of the Doom, Gloom, And The Pursuit Of The Sun charity journey also has UNICEF USA in July,  Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, INC Phi Lamda Omega Chapter in August 2018 and the Catholic Mission, Mbengwi in September. "We are currently working on more schedules which will be communicated as soon as they are ready," Gnintedem told TIPTOPSTARS.

Doom, Gloom, And The Pursuit Of The Sun could be procured on www.amazon.com. Antoine Gnintedem will be guest on Apex Snapshot on Apex 1 Radio (www.apex1radio.com) in the coming days.

Prosper Menko is true to his art. He so loves his music time and puts it his all to make it fruitful. That explains why every piece of work he executes, comes along with the real meaning of music - melody, message, sound. These ingredients are very conspicuous in his latest single, "Belle Weh" whose video is shot in South Africa. Featuring Protek, "Belle Weh" is a display of colourful traditional beats, garments and dance. The gospel music artist is back after his previous release a couple of months ago and this time, the steam is even higher. Enjoy "Belle Weh" and spread the word!

Shiri Achu is without any doubt one of the most prolific African fine artists of modern times. No sooner she closes up a chapter in her painting career, than she opens a new one. And for one thing, the artist is not physically stagnant. Her works have the propensity to move from city to city  and across continents. Not long ago, the painter whose paintings reflect the beautiful simplicity of Africa, was in Australia as part of her mission to encourage understanding of African culture by the western world.  Prior to that, she had engaged a 35InPrint exhibition ride in the United Kingdom where she lived before relocating to the United States. As we write, Shiri Achu is in Douala-Cameroon, bracing to exhibit her works to visitors at her next outing dubbed "A 12-Piece retrospective", billed for Saturday, January 13, 2018. Ahead of the Douala exhibition, the painter spoke with Editor Ernest Kanjo and amongst other things, she outlined the benefits visitors to this cultural event would derive from attending. Excerpts!

Ernest Kanjo (EK): Hello Shiri! How're you today?

Shiri Achu (SA): Great! And you?

EK: Good! Your next exhibition is dubbed "A 12-Piece Retrospective" - confirmed?

 SA: Yes! This exhibition marks the beginning of 2018 and will run through the year. I'm exhibiting in two locations. I actually started on the 4^th of January at Thought Pyramid Art centre in Lagos, Nigeria. It was great.  This second exhibition takes place on Saturday on the 13^th of January at The Shalom building in  Douala, Cameroon.

EK: Does it mean you will only be exhibiting 12 pieces of fine arts works?

SA: Correct!

EK: What do you mean by retrospective here?

SA: I'm looking back at these specially selected pieces and speaking about them. In a way, I am bringing to the interesting facts to the foreground such as why they were produced, where they have sold, which celebrity owns them and so on.

EK: When and where were these paintings done?

SA: These paintings were created in Cameroon, London and Washington DC.

EK: Select two or three from the lot and briefly explain what each of them stand for...

SA: Distant butterfly is unique to the collection but I needed to add the colour and spirit of the moment to the 12 piece exhibition. Along 2  was created in Cameroon, and these prints have been selling pieces  at The Smithsonian and The National Museum of African Art. It is also owned by Roger Milla and is the piece for the month of May, 2018. What does that mean? Each month, a different piece is highlighted and some of the proceeds of sales go to The ^Raise The  Roof^ campaign which we talked about on Apex 1 Radio some time ago. Consequently, ‘1.1.11 Baforchu big men celebrate! is highlighted for the month of January. Shiri Achu Art 2018 Calendar also runs along this 12-Piece Retrospective exhibition as each piece is highlighted at the bottom of each month. The calendar is now available for purchase.

EK: Have these paintings been exhibited elsewhere before?

SA: Yes, during the InPrint series of exhibitions.

EK: Who are these paintings meant for?

SA: They are meant for everyone who loves and appreciates the value of  art and culture.

EK: Any extra benefit for whoever will acquire any of the paintings at the Douala exhibition?

SA: I will be there all day and will be able to talk at greater length about each piece. I will be answering  questions  and I think that would be a plus on those purchasing on that day. No regrets for visitors to my exhibition!

EK: Is this the first time Achu Shiri is exhibiting her works in Douala?

SA: No, it's not!

EK: Could you remind us of the date, venue and time for the exhibition?

SA: Saturday, the 13^th January 2018 at Shalom Building, first floor. The building is opposite Pharmacie du Pont and Express Union, Bonassama, Bonaberi in Douala. The exhibition kicks off at exactly 10am and will run till 9pm.

EK: Thanks for talking to TIPTOPSTARS Shiri!

SA: It's always a pleasure Ernest!

Some major Shiri Achu Arts Exhibitions:

§  The 30^th Act - London, UK (2014)

§   35InPrint - London, UK (2014)

§  36InPrint - Washington DC (2015)

§  Artomatic 2016 art exhibition

§  37InPrint - Adelaide, Australia (2016)

§  38InPrint - Jamaica (2017)

For purchase, go to https://www.shiriachuart.com/2018-with-shiri-achu-art-calendar