TIPTOPSTARS

Like its title indicates, Maybelle Boma’s Cameroon Unite is an ensemble of the ingredients necessary to symbolize unity. Amongst the patriotism-driven musical productions, it stands distinguished.

Cameroon Unite’s opener, presenting two addicted lady fans of unity who find their backing in God’s creation philosophy of human oneness is no error – rather, it sets a perfect base for subsequent arguments of the reason their beloved country must think  and re-think in the same direction.

The choice of words used in the lyrics simply ties to the overall message, English-speaking Boma, from the North West region and her co-singer, French-speaking Fotso from the West region seek to send across. “Blessed nation”, “soyons beni”, “Papa God mek you intervene”, are phrases which indicate that Cameroon’s unity goes beyond human strength – it is decreed by the Almighty and so be it. By calling on “Anglophones”, “Francophones”, the Indomitable Lions, etc, to unite is enough insistence which goes a long way to buttress the fact that the singers’ pride of being Cameroonians must not be jeopardized. And, they mean it.

For one thing, Boma and Fotso preach unity by living it, even in their melodious composition. You would certainly have expected the former to run only the English segment of the lyrics and the latter, only the French. No! Boma, like Fotso, with unaccented speeches, take both the English and French lines of the 6.46-long track. In the end, it is difficult to say who of the two is originally English-speaking or French-speaking. They are just Cameroonians and that’s it - unity par excellence.

Perhaps, what gives Cameroon Unite the befitting description of a masterpiece is the effectiveness with which imagery is used in its video.

First, the use of the Cameroonian colours of Green, Red and Yellow is to a greater extent, effectively managed. It begins from the costumes of the artistes and spans across the flying hand flags, the ball and the soccer mascot. Those colours have been emblematic of unity and simply find their rightful place in the patriotic track, directed by Komlan “Unkchuck” Degboe.

Secondly, the image of the Indomitable Lions (the Cameroon’s national football squad) is just an obvious meaningfulness the track deserves. In that cut, the viewer is served with the picture of the lions (in their traditional colours) either grouped together to celebrate one of those joyous moments or praying for divine favours before the start of a decisive encounter. It is also not by chance that Boma, Fotso and director Komlan would choose this – the team has for years been a typical reminder of a badly needed national solidarity. Even the lion (this time animal) the video makers highlight severally in the clip relates with the footballers who roar and go for a kill when they are wounded and in the process bring joy to hearts nationwide, and not only to a particular group.

All these put together make Cameroon Unite a good example of a unity song, needed to re-direct minds in an event of near dislocation. Though released a couple of months ago, it is a tract that regurgitates and ignites the feeling of oneness at a time the leading symbol of unity, the national football team are facing major setbacks. The recent victory against Togo in the first group game counting for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers brings Cameroon Unite into focus and one would rightfully suggest that the traditional media back in Cameroon make greater use of the track now, more than ever.

Cameroon Unite meets the standards of a good gospel track with lead vocals and respective melodious refrains.

For more on Cameroon Unite and the album in which to find the track, contact Maybelle Boma at 917-371-3559.