Tuesday, January 1, 2013

DULCE CAMER TALENTLIST 2013: 50 TALENTS TO WATCH

Hello dear DC readers, happy New Year and welcome to the blog again. It is that time of the year again and as customary, we keep our eyes and ears peeled to what is happening around the Cameroon communities across the world so that we can present you with our selection of 50 great talents to watch, from a variety of sectors that are all doing their utmost best to promote our beloved country.

We are very excited with our choice below and also rely on you to leave your comments with names of talents out there which we have yet to learn about.

Happy Reading y’all!!


MEDIA & FILM

 Céline Victoria Fotso
A free spirited business woman with a high fascination of cultures and founder of popular online site Je Wanda Magazine, Céline’s aim is to promote a modern, young and developing Africa far from the usual negative stereotypes it often receives.
Catch her at www.jewanda-magazine.com or on Twitter: @JeWandaOfficiel



  Image courtesy of Lidia Karpukova Photography
Sahndra Fon Dufe
An actress, writer, producer and overall business woman and at only 22, Sahndra already owns her own production company “African Pictures International” an indie production house dedicated to telling stories about Africa from a new point of view. She is also the writer and lead actress of the blockbuster “YEFON”, a movie inspired by true events starring Isaiah Washington, Adriana Barazza, Jimmy Jean Louis, Hakeem Kae- Kazim, Leleti Khumalo, Uti Nwachukwu and many others.

 Yenih Ngwabo
Vivacious, creative and talented writer/blogger, Yenih blogs at “Yenih’s World” a blog dedicated to the positive portrayal of Cameroon/Africa through news, events, entertainment, fashion, music etc. The blog also portrays popular mainstream entertainment news.

 Laura Dave

Tune in to the Afrobuzz Douala show on VoxAfrica in Cameroon on Fridays 6.15pm GMT (7.15pm Cameroon time) to see this beautiful presenter do her thang in front of the cameras. Afrobuzz is a culture and entertainment show which covers product launches, events, shows etc in Cameroon and beyond. Laura is fast becoming a popular figure within the young media circle in Cameroon.


Neba Lawrence "Nforlems"
A graduate from the Advance School of Mass Communication, Lawrence is fast becoming a popular director within the growing Cameroon Film Industry with films such as “Neglected Obligation”, "Royal Destination" that featured Emeka Ike and Tonto Dikeh and the recently premiered “Blood or Wine” under his belt where he worked with Nollywood actors Uche Jumbo and Jim Iyke.
   

Alenne Menget
Founder of ATS Production, Alenne is a documentary film maker covering topics that range from movie premieres to social issues such as the stigmatisation of HIV/Aids.
  

Ihuoma Mambo Atanga
She is a writer, producer, publicist, Africanist, afropolitan and lover of all things aesthetically pleasing and kind to her soul! She is also the founder/Editor of MediafritiQ, a West African online portal following news and cultural trends from a West African perspective.
Check it at www.mediafritiq.com
  

Joan Ngomba
This chic host and ex Sakerette currently based in Lagos, Nigeria; is the founder of D'Coded, a TV show that brings you celebrity news, events, fashion, entertainment and exciting red carpet moments around West/Central Africa. Follow her on Twitter: @Leejay4u



Brenda Chuinkam
Fashionista and personal shopper extraordinaire, Brenda is a young BSc honours holder based in Canada who blogs at the “Can Never Be A Skinny Bish” blog. Her blog posts are of several fashion and beauty items she loves as well as her outfit posts to inspire her readers.
Visit the blog here: www.canneverbeaskinnybish.blogspot.com Follow her on Twitter: @YesBrendaCan
 
 
Paola Ndengue & Laura Songue
They founded and launched Fashizblack an independent online magazine 3 years ago and the success was immediate and consistent throughout the years. In January 2012, the magazine has been circulating in print and is available in French and English in France, the UK, Canada, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa etc www.fashizblack.com


FASHION & BEAUTY


Alain Martial Tapolo
Head designer and founder of his eponymous haute couture label; Martial Tapolo. Each of his design pieces demonstrate the skill, talent and passion that Alain possess toward fashion.
  

Louise Assomo
Louise Assomo obtained a masters degree in fashion at the Francisco Ferrer Academy of Arts, Brussels in 2001. She was first spotted by the press when she entered a young designer’s competition in Nancy and her work appeared in the Fashion Daily news. Designed to fit perfectly, her clothes are tools for the modern self conscious woman to express her uniqueness. Her items are sold in Belgium, France, Italy, Kuwait and Israel. She is also one of the host of Fashion Express, a fashion and style show on Star TV.
  

Kibonen Nfi
Kibonen is avidly following her passion for fashion. Formerly a KiRette Couture founder, she launched Kibonen NY, a brand with the goal of creating a more youthful and colourful attire which people the world over could wear with pride, something culturally profound and sustainable incorporating the traditional symbol of her native land – the Toghu. The brand is a fresh fusion of this rich culture with contemporary styles, fabrics and trends. It aims to capture an international clientele through its trendy designs with very sensual silhouettes.
  

Audrey NM
It was only in 2011 that Audrey launched Uzuri Couture with her first collection; Beautiful Beginnings. Uzuri Couture is an afro chic clothing line based in Holland for young women which bridges the gap between African and Western fashion by transforming the traditional African wear into contemporary fashion. Audrey also won the Dutch Music & Fashion Battle (MAFB) in Amsterdam last year.
  

Mesanga Sama
If fashion be the food of love, then let the creative love juices flow! From the fashion conscious streets of Buea to strutting in New York, the epicentre of US fashion and style, Mesanga has showed that with a determined spirit, everything is achievable. Her collection unveiled at AFWNY, “Liwato La Mezrono” consisted of colourful, ready to wear pieces geared at the sophisticated cosmopolitan professional and trendy woman. She launched Mesanga Fashion House in 2011.
  

Jules Wokam
He is a fashion and design talent and product creator fascinated with creating unique womenswear as well as meanswear pieces under his brand name Too’Maii which means be the origins. He also produces bespoke furniture pieces and lends his eye and skill as an interior designer.

Jeanne Assimba
17 year old Jeanne describes herself as funny, dynamic, ambitious and confident. She certainly is as she was the winner of the Elite Model Look Cameroon 2012 edition where she went on to represent Cameroon at the Elite Model Look World Final in Shanghai. She did not win however she certainly has all the qualities and the face to see her through a promising modelling career.

 
MUSIC


Jovi
If you have not heard about the rapper with an attitude that is Jovi, then we are not sure where you have been hiding all this while. Signed under award winning record label MuMaK, this talent has literally been causing chaos around the Cameroon music scene last year since his release of his debut single “Don 4 Kwat”. His follow up track “Pitie” featuring Tabuley Richereau was on DJ Edu’s “Destination Africa” show on BBC 1Xtra for more than 12 weeks! His debut LP launched this August entitled HIV is also the fastest selling album online and in stores. The guy just cannot go wrong!
Follow him on Twitter: @JoviLeMonstre
  

Renise
Gospel singing sensation Renise is the first lady of MuMaK based in Yaoundé. Her track “Holy Wata” was also a very popular track last year with an award winning video for its director February 16th. There is much more to come from this talent so watch out!
Follow her on Twitter: @Renise7
  

Denzyl
Since the release of his single “U Stole Ma Heart Away”, Denzyl is fast becoming the afrobeat maestro in Cameroon and his popularity is far and wide. He has collaborated with artists in South Africa and recently had a collaboration with EME’s finest Wizzy on the track “Do U Really Wanna Know” which was released last month. With his star quality and stage presence, expect a lot more from this artist.
Follow him on Twitter: Iam_Denzyl
  

Jules Nya
Word on the streets is that Jules is currently the best artist manager and A&R guy at present in Cameroon and who would like to contest? Just take a look at what he has done with his MuMak artists. Named “Eaglo” for his sharp music tone recognition and his skilful hearing, no wonder every up and coming artist wants a piece of him. Follow him on Twitter: @JulesNya



Prosby
This smooth singing RnB sensation is one to keep on your radar. His single “Mboa Girl” was a huge hit last year enabling him to seal his position as a strong contender within this growing Camer music scene.
  

February 16th
Award winning Febs aka Bertrand Ndukong is a director/photographer and also happens to be the brother of rapstar Jovi based in Yaoundé. He is currently the most sort after music video director in Cameroon having produced all of Jovi’s videos, worked with Sine on “Koh Koh” and “Mr Do Good”, Renise’s “Holy Wata” and worked with Kastra, Krotal, the BO of ZI etc. You cannot afford to take your eyes of him and you know who to go to for all your video producing needs!!


Arré, Ace & Ojonery
If you haven’t heard “Je Te Ya Mo”, then what planet have you been on? Rumour has it that this remix of Naija bad boy Davido‘s “Dami Duro” is even better than the original and the remix with superstar Akon combined! The track has been on every young Cameroonians lips since its release a few months ago and is currently a club favourite. Watch the audio here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJODvBoethk



Kastra
He is the porsche driving, Gucci wearing bad boy rapper with amazing swag. You didn't know? Then watch this video and see what we mean http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwEgY2fmmrI
  

Duc-Z
He released one of the best tracks and videos of 2011 on the hit “Je Ne Donne Pas Le Lait” with an 80’s inspired psychedelic video. This track instantly made Duc-Z into a household name and he has also gone on to release another hit entitled “African Mamy”. Keep your eyes on him because Il ne donne pas le lait hein! Watch the video here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DniAUEeUUrE
  

Museba
Bom Bom Bom seems to be the new word on the streets and it is all because of Museba’s new hit single released a few weeks ago. Who wan try? Beyonce aint got nothing on her!
  

Sine
Since winning the reality music show AfricaStar back in 2008 in Gabon, Sine has remained a constant figure within the music scene in Cameroon working with hit producer LeMonstre to release 2 hot tracks “Mr Do Good” and the well received “Koh Koh”. He currently has a new single “Njoka Njoka” released last month, watch the video here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBxcX-3raO0
  
 Magasco
Na dat Bamenda boy again...Magasco dubbed the Drake of Cameroon for his tingling soulful voice and his amazing rap skills. He certainly has a bright future ahead of him. We are so looking forward to his debut album. Watch Lineloba video here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mprULUkKTZ0


MUSIC LABELS/RECORD COMPANIES
  


MuMaK
Award winning MuMaK label has completely overturned what was the norm in music production and artist management in Cameroon. They are completely on a league of their own setting a great example for the rest in the business to follow. Rapstar Jovi together with his manager and trusted partner Jules Nya have showed to the rest what dedication, determination and bags of creativity and innovation can do. Other artists currently signed to the label include Rachel Burks, Renise, Deecy, Wilkan and Jovi himself.
Follow them on Twitter: @MumakRecords



Red Eye Entertainment
Founded by afrobeat artist Denzyl and his manager Allen Munde, these boys are also bringing in a new approach to the music scene in terms of quality and branding. Their recent Mega Jam event held in Buea a few weeks ago with Jovi as headlining act proved that these guys are onto something big. Which other single indie music event can claim a crowd of over 2000? No dulling! Other artists signed on the label include the Fluri Boyz.
  
Black Triangle Africa
Oh what can we not say about this blossoming record label! Under the guidance of branding guru and record executive William Takor, they are proving to be capable of greater things to come taking into consideration a high awareness of the strategies of marketing, image branding and public relations. Their goal is to ensure that the Cameroon music/entertainment scene is felt across the African continent and beyond. Watch them oh!


BUSINESS & TECH 


Ruth Tembe
She is passionate with the zeal to outperform and she is also the founder of print; Queens Magazine based in Ghana. The magazine is all about portraying ladies of extreme valour and grandeur mixed with the best of fashion, style and glamour sprinkled with mind blowing articles, tips and strategies on how to become as successful as the ladies they admire and promote.
On Twitter: @QueensMagazine1
  

Churchill Nanje Mambe
He is a young influential IT entrepreneur with expertise in software development and business. He is also a Macromedia Certified Developer and the CEO of tech company AfroVisioN Group www.afrovisiongroup.com and founder of www.njorku.com. He was recently featured on the Forbes Africa list through his start-up Njorku which was ranked as the top 20 African technology start-ups.
  

                                             William Takor                                       
He is the logo creator, graphic, web and corporate brand identity consultant you NEED to know! Based in Buea, his creativity and innovative approach currently sets him apart from the rest and we personally recommend this young brother for all your brand identity needs. He is also a video/editor go to person as well as CEO/record exec of Black Triangle Africa. Watch out for this guy!!
Follow him on Twitter: @WilliamTakor
  
Agatha Achindu
She is a wife, mother, businessperson, and a woman who is completely passionate about healthy eating. It is this passion that led her to starting her business, Yummy Spoonfuls organic baby food. Yummy Spoonfuls was founded with the philosophy that Healthy Babies Are Happy Babies. Every Yummy Spoonfuls meal is packed with all natural, fresh and flavourful ingredients. Yummy Spoonfuls is committed to providing nutritious organic food that tastes good to even the most finicky baby.



SPORTS


Ndamukong Suh
Detroit Lions defensive tackle, Ndamukong Suh plays on the NFL and is considered to also be the most feared defensive linemen in the league (according to an American Sports magazine). The big man stands at 6ft 4ins and weighs 21 stones and is also an ambassador for Chrysler.
  

Luc Richard Mbah A Moute
He is professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association earning around 5 million dollars a year. Here is what Kobe Bryant, one of the best defenders in the NBA had to say about Luc "You don't see a lot of players [like Luc] who understand the value of playing hard defensively."
Follow him On Twitter: @Mbahamoute
  

Nicolas Bantum
He is a professional basketball player who currently plays for the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association earning over 2 million dollars a year.
  

Alex Song
Alexandre Dimitri Song Billong, better known as Alex Song, currently plays for FC Barcelona after leaving the North London giants Arsenal last season earning 5 million Euros a year. He also wears the green red yellow strips for the Cameroon national team. He plays as a central or defensive midfielder, and can also play as a central defender.
  
Samuel Eto’o Fils
Samuel Eto’o Fils has an estimated net worth of 50 million dollars. He currently plays as a striker for the small-but-with-big-ambition Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala. He also serves as the captain of the Cameroon national team after having his ban removed. He is the most decorated African player of all time, having won the award for African Player of the Year four times in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2010. Eto'o trained at the Kadji Sports Academy.


ARTS & PHOTOGRAPHY


Shiri Achu
She picked up her first paint brush at a tender age of 9, experimenting with several mediums including oils, acrylics, water colour, mix media etc. Today, her chosen preferred mediums are acrylics and oils. Shiri Achu’s art comes from everyday, unsurprising yet unexpectedly vivid moments, times, places and objects. She seeks to capture the spirit of her subjects and make them come alive through form, colour, texture and tone. She draws insight from her travels but in general her inspiration is very broad; from natural moments captured in Africa to still objects, from the human form to the human in action. The eternal optimist, Shiri sees beauty in almost anything and everything. She finds beauty where there is normalcy, and she sees colour through shades of grey. She therefore draws from this distinctively beautiful World of hers and aims to evoke an emotion which translates into images of delight or surprise, with the sole objective of capturing the soul of the subject.
www.shiriachuart.com On Twitter: @ShiriAchuArt
  

Ralph Che
This self-taught artist is a contemporary surrealist who paints in a classical style. Whether or not one is versed with the elusive language of visual design, his paintings communicate with the viewer as he purposefully recreates day to day life on canvas.
''I take it as an opportunity to learn about a person; their essence, who they are, where they've been, the image they project. I set out to create a record of someone's whole being through a beautiful and well composed work of art.'' Apart from numerous group exhibitions in Cameroon, his work has also been exhibited in Nigeria, Australia, USA and the UK.
  

Adjani Okpu-Egbe
Adjani's work is surreally and emotionally raw, intensely gritty, insanely powerful, and probably comes from places that only he has been. The 'mystical nature' of his work amongst other elements makes him arguably the most exciting and intriguing emerging AfroSurreal Expressionist Artists of his generation. His invitation by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in June 2012 to be amongst 20 artist selected nationwide to interpret Her Majesty the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Pageant on the River Thames, in their various artistic styles, atop the Millennium Bridge and live on BBC1, is a testimony of his development as an artist to look out for.
 
Joseph Eta
Born on the coast of Cameroon, Joe’s childhood in Africa continues to hugely influence his photography. Joe was brought up at the foot of Mount Cameroon with the sun as his timekeeper. In full view of blue-blossomed jacaranda trees outside the window, his grandmother used to move the water bucket to sit in a beam of light and slowly heat his bath before school. Dressed and ready, Joe would watch the shadow of the sun move ceremonially around the room like a hand on a clock face, until it lit up the front door step; it was time to leave. His photographs capture extraordinary moments in an ordinary day; a simple flower has the power to hold you captive if only you look at it deeply, closely; a local beach will be transformed by the iridescent light of the dawn. In Cameroon, the silent objective is to encourage all people to look in, rather than close a door and tentatively look out. In many urbanised environments in the West, people spend more time indoors; nature is slowly retreating from people’s daily life. Joe’s photography aims to bring the natural world back into people’s living environment. To create a window-on-a-wall that frames intense, beautiful images of the living planet.



SOCIAL ACTIVISM


Africa Engo
Ms Engo is raw vegan celebrity activist and now Health Food Chef who came to be known for her rank by MTV as one of the top 40 Youth AIDS activists in the world. She is also the star of "I LOVE AFRICA”, a film about the Africa 101 Charity Run Challenge which saw Suzanne run from New York to Chicago, in a bid to raise awareness about the effects of AIDS in Africa. She is also Founder and Executive Director of the New York AIDS Film Festival and President of “Girl Behind the Camera Productions”. Engo is the daughter of the Late United Nations Ambassador and Olympic Athlete Judge Paul Bamela Engo and AIDS activist Dr Ruth Bamela Engo. 



Olivia Mukam
She studied International Relations at the prestigious Johns Hopkins University in the USA and is a young social activist who has totally immersed herself into inspiring, educating and promoting self-belief in others in Cameroon and beyond.
The Yaoundé resident is founder and president of Harambe Cameroon. Her organisation works and nurtures local problem solvers and fosters links with international peers. 
http://www.harambecameroon.org/ Follow her on Twitter: @Sankara1111
  
Collette Mangwi
She is the founder and director of Capec “Cameroon Association for the Protection and Education of the Child”, a non-governmental, not for profit organisation working with children/youths, parents, government bodies and intergovernmental bodies in the promotion of community welfare. It works to identify the needs of the child especially the rural child/youth, the underprivileged and the weaker section of the society through participatory approach. The organisation also has an HIV/Aids sensitization Program which seeks to spread awareness of the illness thereby reducing the amount of new infections in Cameroon.


PROFESSION
  
Nicoline Ambe
She is a Motivational Speaker and Parent Mentor. “My primary mission is to help parents prepare their children at home to become high achievers in school”. Her contributions in this area are drawn directly from 17 years of teaching and interacting experiences with students and parents. In her view, many parents do not provide the structure and support system at home to help their children rise to their highest level of academic excellence. This is partly because they are not fully aware of what their child is truly capable of achieving, if given the right support at home. This is where she comes in; to show parents simple but effective strategies that they can immediately implement at home to help their children excel in school and prepare for a successful future in college and beyond.


Nkorni Tankwa
He is an author/novelist who grew up in Yaoundé but currently resides in Virginia with a passion for reading, writing and arts as well as dancing.

His novel includes The Testimony, The Barrister’s Gavel and the Sinister Virgins. You can also catch his posts on his website http://www.nkornitankwa.com/. Follow him on Twitter: @Nkorni


And that is our top 50 talents on the 2013 TalentList! We hope to have you on the next list. Please do not forget to leave your comments or drop us names of individuals you believe should be featured on our list.

From next week, we also have something more for you...stay tuned!!

Many thanks for your continuous support and for coming back to visit us day after day. We hope you enjoy our posts. Here's a toast to this new year!!

Follow us on Twitter: @Brownschuga

Stay happy!
Dulce
xxx

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

No Andy Allo? Arguably the most prominent and most promising of all Cameroonian young singers/musicians. Not everyone gets to play with Prince's band or have their album produced by the Purple One - http://irockjazz.com/2012/12/music-review-andy-allos-superconductor/

Dulce said...

No, no Andy Allo. Unfortunately she does not like being featured on our blog.
Thank you for commenting and have a wonderful New Year.

Reymonde said...

I also haven't seen Killian. His song "Living for the fame" has more than a million views on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLyq1_PW5zo

Anonymous said...

Nice one Dulce! Great list as usual. The music section really excited me! What a variety of talent we have! Hopefully the ones who didn't make it this year will be on next time. Keep on keeping on!

Ngum

Anonymous said...

I was impressed with the musicians on the list but I think GEE REIGN was lacking on that list. I think he should be included.

Anonymous said...

Great list! You should check out this blogger this amazing Cameroonian www.artbecomesyou.com She never disappoints :) so proud of my fellows on here.

Anonymous said...

great list but i did not see Manka Nadine.
at 22 she has organised an international beauty pageant. Miss Central Africa International whose maiden edition just passed recently.
i think that people putting in efforts to develop young African girls should be applauded.

Midas Touch Events said...

yayyyyyy Yenih made the list so proud of her. its really good to see so many young cameroonians doin their bit....how inspiring

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

No haters people....this is great.....lets admit it. Oooooo SONG ...ALEXANDRE SONG!! I'm a proud Cameroonian right now.

Anonymous said...

WOOOOWWWWWWWWW
La generation du futur!!

I love this. These are great minds....call them leaders.
Great Blog. Keep it up

Patricia Bakalack said...

Good work. Guys keep grinding.

Anonymous said...

This is my first time to discover you guys and you are doing a great job. I am so impressed with the quality of your page and the amount of info you guys have.

This is stupendous!!

Anonymous said...

Where is Dencia on the list?i have followed her career fr 4years and can assure you in entertainment she is at the top since 2011 who are these people? A girl on MTV America and verified on twitter?this is hating at its best.

Dulce said...

Hi, thanks @anonymous (January 14, 2013 at 4:14 PM) for your comment. The Dulce Camer blog encourages and supports talents who STAND FOR Cameroon. So, just one question for you, is Dencia now Cameroonian?
Thanks for commenting.

nene said...

@dulcecamer hmmm has dencia ever denied being cameroonian?i have followed her career closely enough to know she has always said cameroonian/nigerian also museba claims ivory coast and cameroon but she is on here ndamukong suh has never said or hailed cameroon oo i follow him closely too but he is on here,its ok to assume most of you cameroonians as i am one too hate dencia because truly,put her any where she outshines everyone on this blog.goodluck but in future just acept what great people are doing denying what they are doing does not stop them. make i go finish my nursing work,i tire for cameroonians

kate said...

hi DC,just discouvered ur blog and i am soo xcited,its alwys been hard getting camer news as regards entertainment and its great to finally find one.i wld have loved to see Eme Achanga the who runs the miss petite naija blog,coz though the blog is titled miss petite naija blog,she has always identified as a Cameroonin.tenksyou can check her out at misspetitenaija.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Great display of cameroonian skills and talents. Am impressed

Anonymous said...

nice on the fashion list but we are missing someone here,I have not seen Afroshic clothing on the list of fashionistars and also our able blogger lydia Epangue

Anonymous said...

dulce thanks so much for making us discover our talented and successful brothers and sisters. Please somebody is asking where Dencia is. We all love her and we all know that she is 100% Kamer so if she says otherwise then let her choose for her self please do not force people to associate with Us. Thanks

Unknown said...

Er... Hi! Isn't Ndamkong Suh american? I saw a reply to anonymous about Dencia not standing for Cameroon (which I agree) so I'm just confused as to how Suh does. I mean, it's not even like he was born cameroonian befaore changing his nationality.