Born in Cameroon and based in South Africa, 28-year-old soul singer and producer, Nde Ndifonka aka Wax, carries his messages of love and compassion throughout the world – in June 2009 he jetted off to the US to perform for charity, GEMS, before joining another US charity, Global Majority later that month to help them on their peace-through-dialogue tour. He staged a show for UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon on his recent visit to South Africa.Nde is a spokesperson for the International Organization for Migration (IOM), brand ambassador for the City of Joburg, and brand ambassador for the ONE Movement (an international anti-racism/xenophobia initiative championed by the United Nations). Owner of record label, Lolhiphop records, he is also behind other artists from across the continent, such as Daveyton’s songbirg, Peggy. His first publication, a play entitled ‘The Chosen One' has been used in South African public schools and tertiary institutions across the continent. He also makes times to give talks and lectures on various pertinent issues affecting Africa at universities and communities.
Wax offers a semi-autobiographical album ‘African dream’, that is as lyrically profound and musically scintillating as it is relevant to all ages and races. The album tells stories of love and war, drawing blood from afro-pessimists, and celebrating love and humanity with beautiful soul rhythms.
Among everything he has to do, Mr Wax found time to talk to DC.
Happy Reading y'all!
DC: You are dubbed the Cameroonian brotha of soul, what does this mean to you?
Wax: It means a lot – I’m glad to represent a new dawn in the musical life of Anglophone Cameroonians who are not scared to have their voice heard and compete against the best in the world.
DC: How did you become an ambassador for the city of Jo’burg, being a Cameroonian?
Wax: Following unfortunate xenophobic attacks on foreigners that rocked South Africa in may 2008, the South Africa public rose to condemn the acts and apologise to immigrants who had suffered from that attacks. The City of Johannesburg also decided to embark on a campaign to show the world that Johannesburg is a city that welcomes and presents opportunities to foreigners. Wax presented a perfect symbol for such a campaign – a young migrant who entered the city a few years ago, and seized the opportunities he met. Wax became the face of an international campaign to sell the City of Johannesburg to foreign investors, tourists and visitors, telling his true story in the “This is my Jo'burg” campaign.
DC: South Africa has come a long way with fighting apartheid, what is the relationship between the black South Africans, the white South Africans and the non South Africans like yourself?
Wax: Xenophobia is a worldwide problem that humans ace everywhere. In Cameroon, we have Igbophobia. These sentiments arise because people do not understnand each other, and have unjustified fears or suspicions. One of my responsibilities as an artists is to sensitise people all over the world (not just in SA) about the benefits unity in diversity. I am a brand ambassador for the ONE Movement, an international anti-racism/xenophobia initiative championed by the United Nations, under the patronage of Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
To get to your question though, racism and xenophobia are still a big problem in SA. These are cultures that are not easy to shake off, although progress is being made.
Wax: Xenophobia is a worldwide problem that humans ace everywhere. In Cameroon, we have Igbophobia. These sentiments arise because people do not understnand each other, and have unjustified fears or suspicions. One of my responsibilities as an artists is to sensitise people all over the world (not just in SA) about the benefits unity in diversity. I am a brand ambassador for the ONE Movement, an international anti-racism/xenophobia initiative championed by the United Nations, under the patronage of Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
To get to your question though, racism and xenophobia are still a big problem in SA. These are cultures that are not easy to shake off, although progress is being made.
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DC: What made you venture into the music industry?
Wax: Passion for music and passion for people. I love to interact with people, and music gives me an opportunity to share my thoughts with people every day.
DC: What do you hope to achieve with your music?
Wax: I don’t expect to change the world, but I am always fully gratified if one persons listens to and gets pleasure form my music. I am even more fulfilled if my music touches one person with a useful message or inspiration. If every person touched one person in a special way, then maybe we have changed the world!
Wax: Passion for music and passion for people. I love to interact with people, and music gives me an opportunity to share my thoughts with people every day.
DC: What do you hope to achieve with your music?
Wax: I don’t expect to change the world, but I am always fully gratified if one persons listens to and gets pleasure form my music. I am even more fulfilled if my music touches one person with a useful message or inspiration. If every person touched one person in a special way, then maybe we have changed the world!
DC: You are involved in so many things like participating in charity shows, staging shows for the UN secretary, giving talks on racism and xenophobia, managing other artists and running a label, how do you find time to do your own thing?
Those things are my own thing! Until I get a family.
Those things are my own thing! Until I get a family.
DC: Ok!
DC: You are a record exec, how easy was it setting up a record label in South Africa?
Wax: Quite easy, besides working my ass off! But South Africa does a lot to encourage young entrepreneurs, although it is always more difficult as a foreigner.
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DC: If you were not into music, what else would you have loved to do?
Writing. I’ve always loved writing, and I have a publication that is used in some school currculum.
Writing. I’ve always loved writing, and I have a publication that is used in some school currculum.
DC: How is your cooking skills, I hear you are a good cook!
I cook often and bake on sundays. I invented my own garlic and mushroom pasta recipe, which has earned me many marriage proposals. I keep the proposals in a special file, in case I get to busy to make my own food some day.
DC: You've got one more proposal to add to your file now ;-))
A man who cooks is good, a man who bakes? That's like WOW!
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DC: Your new album “African dream” is out today, tell us more about this album?
Wax: African Dream is not just music. It represents a lifestyle. I want the success of this album to be judged not by charts, but by the impact it has on anyone who listens to the message.” So what is this message?
The title track encapsulates this in a bridge that croons: ‘On CNN I see this little street kid; he’s got nothing to eat, and that’s all that they see; but somewhere in his eyes I see ambition scream: who will set me free from these gates of dreaming?’
My dream is to see every African reach their full potential, an objective that goes beyond a child on TV’s basic need for food.
It is not my dream – I am only part of a growing body of African youths who are ready to seize the reins of the continent’s future, force themselves out of the box of limitations, and claim their place as global players in every field of endeavour. I am only motivating my listeners to become part of, and support that body.
Wax: African Dream is not just music. It represents a lifestyle. I want the success of this album to be judged not by charts, but by the impact it has on anyone who listens to the message.” So what is this message?
The title track encapsulates this in a bridge that croons: ‘On CNN I see this little street kid; he’s got nothing to eat, and that’s all that they see; but somewhere in his eyes I see ambition scream: who will set me free from these gates of dreaming?’
My dream is to see every African reach their full potential, an objective that goes beyond a child on TV’s basic need for food.
It is not my dream – I am only part of a growing body of African youths who are ready to seize the reins of the continent’s future, force themselves out of the box of limitations, and claim their place as global players in every field of endeavour. I am only motivating my listeners to become part of, and support that body.
DC: When will you be serenading us here in London with your lyrics?
When are you inviting me?
When are you inviting me?
DC: Ohhhh, ok we’ll see!
DC: What advice do you give to others especially in Cameroon who are looking to leave Cameroon and head to another country?
Wax: No matter where you are, success only comes when you work hard and then, it becomes even tougher to maintain your success. I think you would have the same opportunities in Cameroon, maybe more.
Wax: No matter where you are, success only comes when you work hard and then, it becomes even tougher to maintain your success. I think you would have the same opportunities in Cameroon, maybe more.
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DC: Looking very good in your promotional pics, you know the ladies including moi of course would want to know if you work out!
Wax: Actually I don’t. I eat a lot because my mom told me ladies love a man who loves his food. However, I keep fit through hard work and amazing genetics.
Wax: Actually I don’t. I eat a lot because my mom told me ladies love a man who loves his food. However, I keep fit through hard work and amazing genetics.
DC: Wow, excellent genes then!
DC: And what next for the soul brotha?
Wax: Producing my TV talk show. It’s an edutainment show that all Africans, young and old, would love! When that is done, I’ll look for some other passion, but definitely not climbing mountains.
Wax: Producing my TV talk show. It’s an edutainment show that all Africans, young and old, would love! When that is done, I’ll look for some other passion, but definitely not climbing mountains.
DC: Keep DC updated with the launch of the TV Show.
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"African Dream" by Wax is out today and to get your copy, please go to:
iTunes: www.itunes.com/wax/africandream
His website at http://www.waxexperience.com/
Myspace: www.myspace.com/waxexperience.com
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Dulce Camer has got 2 signed album to give away. To get your hands on this, answer this question correctly!
Question: Which South African city is Wax representing as an ambassador?
Answer: send it to brownschuga@googlemail.com
Goodluck!
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Thanks for checking the blog, support a brotha!
Stay sweet
Dulce
xxx
wow! this guy is simply amazing! thanks DC.
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