HIGHLIGHTS & HOPES FROM SOME OF OUR CAMEROONIAN TALENTS

So here we are with just over a few hours remaining before an eventful 2011 comes to an end. What did we not witness this year, from violent political upheavals and overthrowing around the world; to the wedding of the year between Kate and Prince William; to also very personal turmoil too (I am sure!) and to top it up we lost 3 great entertainers; Elizabeth Taylor, Sam Loco Efe and Amy Winehouse as well as the pioneer Prof. Victor Anomah Ngu. May their souls RIP.

As a celebration of the ending and beginning of a new year, we decided to ask a few Cameroonian talents around the world what their highlight for 2011 was and what they hoped for in 2012.

Happy reading y’all!!

AFRICA ENGO – ENTERTAINER/ACTIVIST

Highlights:

Personally, I lived healthily through the whole year. That's amazing!

Professionally, my movie previewed on MTV ACT http://act.mtv.com/iloveafrica

HOPE 2012: I hope that I will continue to be healthy the whole year through again. I hope to continue my work,  I am writing a Vegas style theatre show which I hope to launch in New Orleans called “THE SKINNY How to Lose 100lbs and Change the World Too” which will be my next phase of using entertainment to educate the public.

 

SHIRI ACHU – ARTIST/ARCHITECT

Highlights for 2011:

- Learning I was given the award for being The best Artist in Brent
- Solo Exhibition at The Tabernacle in London’s Notting Hill which saw Mr Rudolph Walker and Richard Blackwood coming to the exhibition.
- Faith Evans acquiring one of my pieces on the 8th of Sept in DC - Maasai Tone 4/500
- Exhibiting at the Houses of Parliament for BAAC. 7th Nov 2011
- Exhibiting at the Commonwealth Secretariat on the 6th December for Human rights week - Empowering women through art
- Painting of Pastor Alex Omokudu
- Painted, '1.1.11 Baforchu celebrates', '1.1.11 Baforchu big men celebrates', 'Rose' and 'The gift of a Rose'. I am glad the new and unique method I have developed this year is working out well and people are really appreciating this new 'mixed media' art.
- Reading messages such as this:
'Nurture' is nurturing a middle-aged baby. Art Therapy to a new level. Thank you!. Dorethea Linder 17/12/2011

What do I hope for in 2012??

-Travel further within Africa to portray the other cultures I am yet to explore through my art, to present to the World.
- Finish collection of works I am working on for huge exhibition end of 2012 or in 2013! Watch out people.
- More fabulous exhibition opportunities, and more articles and newspaper features, blogs interviews etc
- Combine both my Architectural background with my Art - something in the pipeline I hope its comes together!!!
- A few assistants!! Selling in UK, USA, AFRICA and WORLDWIDE...it’s getting very hard on my own... I pray this continues and please people do keep spreading the word about me and my art.
- Time to dedicate a huge part of my everyday to the Lord, to worship Him, Praise Him, Thank him and get to know Him more and more each day.

Contact me at:
Website: www.shiriachuart.com
Become at a fan at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/SHIRI-ACHU-ART/120656047946915

Follow us on Twitter: @shiriachuart

 

WAX DEY – MUSIC ARTIST/LABEL OWNER

2011 has been a thriller for me as a musician and for my record label, Lolhiphop Records. Signing a label deal with Universal Music, through which Lolhiphop Records is now able to mainstream Nigerian artists such as Flavour and Dontom in South Africa and worldwide, has been really exciting.

I also joined Good Morning Africa on Africa Magic as a TV host.

In 2012, I hope to expand Lolhiphop Records as a brand in Central and West Africa. We have already scheduled the worldwide release of two compilations of top artists from Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea for early 2012. We are also planning to spread our wings into the Western market by signing and releasing our first US act - fingers crossed.

Personally too, I will be growing my brand as a musician. I'm already releasing new commercial singles, including a few collaboration with well-known artists such as Krotal and Dontom; a lot more will follow in 2012.

 

GHYSLAINE TCHOUAGA – MISS AFRICA USA 2011

My highlight for the year 2011 was winning the Miss Africa USA pageant and stepping out of my comfort zone. I grew up very shy and I never tried to grow out of it until I realised that I was missing out on a lot of opportunities.

For the year 2012, I hope to remain a first rate version of myself and not a second rate version of someone else. I want to always journey towards enlightenment and use my Miss title to bring about change in Cameroon as well as in Somalia.

 

PAOLA AUDREY NDENGUE – CO FOUNDER/EDITOR FASHIZBLACK

2011 pour moi a été une année de "confirmation" pour la mode Africaine de manière générale, et personnellement, des événements comme la MTN LAGOS FASHION WEEK m'ont permis de me dire que le Nigeria est devenu un acteur INCONTOURNABLE dans le milieu, et je vois un monopole en construction.

Concernant 2012, j'ai véritablement hâte de voir comment les différents e-shops qui vont ouvrir leurs portes vont s'en sortir. La distribution et la vente par correspondance est un énorme challenge donc j'espère ne pas être (trop) déçue. J'espère bien évidemment aussi que 2012 sera une bonne première année pour Fashizblack Magazine print.

  
 TITO VALERY – MUSIC CONSULTANT/TV PRESENTER STV2

2011:

4th anniversary of the no1 TV hip hop show "Wickid Tracks" on STV2 Wednesday 4pm rebroadcasted on Saturday 3.30pm
Founded "Trusoul Entertainment" an event management company that is aimed at networking talents across all fields. We co-organised the “Douala Hip Hop” festival which was on the 29^th & 30^th December.
I participated on an art project called “Art Chronicles” as a photo artist.

2012:

Launching the comeback art urban show "Trot Art" that will premiere on STV2 in January.
Organising through “Trusoul Entertainment” the first talent search for Cameroonian entertainers in all fields with a grand showcase in August.
I also have planned two solo photo exhibitions for October.

CHURCHILL MAMBE NANJE – IT ENTREPRENEUR

 

This year I launched http://www.njorku.com/ the Africa wide job search engine.

I got featured on forbes.com Yahoo news, as the developer of one of the best tech business in Africa right now.
I expanded my business operations to 7 African countries and counting.

I got an investment deal for my new venture from a Canadian company.
I got outsourcing partnership with a Canadian company working with major clients like Chelsea FC, and other English Premier League and American soccer League clubs.
I developed solutions for African state governments like Adamawa state in Nigeria.
JCI nominated me as one of the 10 young outstanding people in Cameroon.

My hope for 2012 is to take njorku.com to all African countries serving 1million users per day worldwide.
I also hope to grow AfroVisioN Group double its size to over 20 full time employees.

DENZYL– MUSIC ARTIST

 

2011, has been a hectic year for me, filled with ups and downs and lots of challenges but I tried my best to accomplish a lot of things..

I have done collaborations/features this year such as:-
A feature and performance on Good morning Africa on Africa Magic also featured on the top 5 countdown with DJ Waxxy.
Released collabo singles online which can be downloaded on the following links:-
Far Away - http://www.4shared.com/audio/Mp9mRfhs/Denzyl-FAR_AWAY_MP3.html
Marry Me - http://www.4shared.com/audio/WUuek_0P/Denzyl-Will_you_Marry_Me.html
She don Jazz me by CI Jizzle feat Denzy-

http://www.4shared.com/audio/M_7GFwWE/cijay_feat_denzyl_-_she_don_ja.html
Summer time feat Onezeal - http://www.4shared.com/audio/_-VnbDGh/Denzyl_ft_Onezeal-summer_time.html
Waka dey go feat Naomi Achu - http://www.4shared.com/audio/GZTaRmnc/Denzyl-waka_dey_go_remix_ft_Na.html
Something feat Onezeal, Mc Yoda, Wax- http://www.4shared.com/audio/_qpRt1hm/Denzyl_feat_Mc_YodaOnezeal-Som.html

"MIMI" Written by Denzyl and Onezeal ,you can listen and download here http://www.4shared.com/audio/VSlHzZrO/mimi_solo.html

Well in 2012 first thing by Gods grace I will want to do is conclude the remix for “Mimi” with Don Tom, shoot the music video for it, and put it on major radios and TV stations in Cameroon and across Africa.

I hope for a major promo of my single and I look forward to releasing an official international album for my fans.

I will like to put a mark and set my name as a brand in the Cameroon, African music industry and I hope God blesses me with the favour to conquer!

LUC MBAH A MOUTE – NBA PLAYER MILWAUKEE BUCKS

 

My highlight of 2011 was having a successful camp again in Cameroon and I hope to play in the playoffs this coming NBA season.

ADELINE SEDE KAMGA – FOUNDER FABAFRIQ MAGAZINE

2011 has been a turbulent year for me. The ups and downs were very rocky but achieving the very first print of FabAfriq Magazine just after one year of operating on-line is a great achievement. Moreover, the opportunities I have made to ensure business continuity has guaranteed a successful 2012.

My hope for 2012 is to continue with business as usual and to give employment opportunities to my entire community.

JOYCE MANDI - MODEL/ACTRESS/PHILANTROPIST/COMMENTATOR

 

The most memorable events that made 2011 a great year for me started on the 3rd of January, with my feature in Vogue Italia.

Next up was my interviews of the cast of the famed comedy show "The Game", Lil' Romeo, Common, and a host of other Hollywood stars on the red carpet in Hollywood, during the NBA All Star Weekend. 

Then came my sit-down exclusive 30minute-long interview with Jackie Christie from the reality TV show, "Basketball Wives L.A"; designer, producer, philanthropist, best-selling author and wife of former NBA star, Doug Christie.
Following my interview, I landed a role in an independent film called "Sex Coach" which is in post production at the moment.

Up next was my gig as the muse for Chucrallah Fattouh, an internationally acclaimed painter and sculptor who did very unusual and fast live paintings of me while I posed in front of over 2,500 people during the Orange County Art Walk on August 3rd, which resulted in paintings inspired by me currently being exhibited in art galleries in some major cities in the US.A, including New York. Moreover, some of Mr Fattouh's sculptures of me with my name inscribed on them, which were also exhibited during the Orange County Art Walk, are now permanently on display in Fullerton University, California.
Gracing the cover of Fabafriq Magazine's first print issue in October was definitely a major high spot. 

Then came my appointment as the first Global Ambassador for the Cameroon Association for the Protection and Education of the Child, CAPEC.
To top it all off, I just got made the face of an unlimited international calling service which will be revealed soon...

As exciting as all the above sound, what takes the cake for me is the unbelievably incredible and thoughtful gift I received as a surprise on my birthday; it was a picture of a group of underprivileged kids in a village in Cameroon, whom CAPEC sponsors, holding a large cardboard paper with the words "Happy Birthday Our Ambassador Joyce Mandy" written on it. That literally brought me to tears!

As to what concerns the year 2012, I hope to impact the world in as positive a way as I possibly can and help make it a better place for the entire human race.

 

KROTAL – HIP HOP ARTIST

 

For 2011 the album “La BO de nos life” has been completed and ready for release this coming year.  We've completely finished with putting the infrastructures of our label “Ndabott” and getting all our artists’ down on our books . 

So great expectations from us for 2012 with concerts planned across Africa, Europe, and United States of America.

So we're saying here, "we're together!!!"

AGATHA ACHINDU – FOUNDER YUMMY SPOONFULS

 

2011 has been an amazing here for Yummy Spoonfuls

Here are a few highlights:

- Yummy Spoonfuls debuts on national television as Real Housewives of Atlanta (RHOA) showcase healthy eating with new mom Phaedra Parks feeding her precious baby yummy spoonfuls
- Tia Mowry, star of “The Game” and mommy of baby Cree is our new celeb mom.. she can’t stop tweeting about how fabulous our meals are!
- Yummy spoonfuls was honoured with the Real Foods Moms Seal of Approval.
- Readers at Red Tricycle (there were over 100 thousand votes for us) honoured the brand with a totally awesome award for “Most Awesome Prepared Food on the Go.”
- Yummy Spoonfuls carries the coveted “Ashley Koff” stamp of quality nutrition for optimal health.
- Yummy spoonfuls expands distribution to all Whole Foods market in the South East Region
- Most importantly we just landed a national distribution contract with Kehe to take our brand nationwide, this deal will bring our brand to over 7500 hundred store in the US and Canada.

Our goal in 2012 is to secure funding to help with our national distribution endeavours.

SOPHY AIIDA  - TV PRESENTER/ACTRESS

 

Man where do I start with 2011...
I guess my Highlights this year was to have had a movie in theaters in Nigeria and soon to be in Ghana and Kenya "Unwanted Guest" as well as making my very first National TV appearance on the "Afrotainment Channels" in New York City covering the Red Carpet for the "2011 Afrotainment Museke Awards".

For 2012 I hope for success all around. I have laid the foundation now I have to build the walls and then the ceiling...
I have a few big announcements to make next month Jan. 2012 I'm hoping that this will be the start of something big and exiting in my career.

My foundation "The Nakande's Project" is also starting a new challenge next month. So it looks like 2012 will an eventful year!

I now live it to God to guide me on the path he wants me to take to achieve those goals.

 

MUNTU VALDO – MUSIC ARTIST

My highlight for 2011 was to see the release of my new album “The One & The Many” with Warner Jazz label after they just signed me.

I hope and dream to see a better world with less violence. Also I hope to have a bigger exposure with my work in 2012.

ADJANI OKPU-EGBE - ARTIST

 

Where do we start! 2011 has been an amazing year for me with regards to my artistic development. I participated in 5 successful group shows, the highlight of which was the London Design Festival which took place at Earls Court 2.

Under the banner of BEDG (British European Design Group) one of my paintings; 'The Dream Chaser' and 2 of my hand painted stools (with collaboration with the amazing sculpture, Gary March) were proudly exhibited in the AACDD (African and African Caribbean Design Diaspora) 'Reloved Lounge'.

2012 will be even more exciting! The publication of my book, 'The Therapeutic Magic of Arts' will coincide with my solo show in London on a date to be announced soon.

There will be 23 pieces of my work in one of the most prestigious galleries in London. This will be a great event and I will keep you updated with the development.

This will be followed by another group show in New York's most prestigious design festivals in May and another group show in London in July!

More shows will take place later in the year but I will update!

MENOOSHA – MUSIC ARTIST

 

My biggest highlight for 2011: nomination at BEFFTA awards for "Best International Act"
What I hope for in 2012 is maybe a duet with Angelique Kidjo which will make me win a BET award in 2013!

ANNA NGANN YONN – DESIGNER KREYANN’

 

My highlight for 2011 was definitely the celebration of the 10th anniversary of KREYANN: K-WALK 2011. I enjoyed preparing this event so much as I was surrounded by people who made Kreyann a success the last 10 years.

For 2012 and beyond, the sky is the limit!

BLICK BASSY – MUSIC ARTIST

 

My highlight of 2011 was the release of “Hongo Calling” in May. It was also my journey as Lenine, Margareth Menezes and Banda Eva's guest in Bahia and Recife during the carnival in Brazil in March.

I spent a great moment with Orlando Moraes in Brazilia for his DVD recording.

Finally doing my first show in November in Douala and Yaoundé, meeting my Cameroonian fans was a great highlight for me.

For next year, I hope it’ll get better; I’ll be recording new music, doing some shows, collaborations and releasing an album with DJ Jonny Montana from London which we are recording now. I also hope to do some worldwide touring.


OLIVIA ERVI – DESIGNER OLIVIA ERVI

 

J'ai passé l'année 2011 enceinte! Donc a part l'arrivée de mon bébé, je n'est pas d'autre moment inoubliable!

Pour 2012, j’espère développer la marque Olivia Ervi avec une ligne encore plus accessible au public via un e-shop avec des lignes flou et facile à porter, et une ligne d’accessoire, qu'on pourra acheter sur le site.


DJ ERIC – MUSIC DJ/ MUSIC CONSULTANT

 

My main highlight of 2011 in the African music scene will be the marked impact of Nigerian artist in the music scene. Six years ago, no one would have bet a dollar on them but today, artists like Dbanj, Timaya, P Square, Flavour N'Abania, Wizkid etc, virtually leave no one indifferent. While I have an issue with their over-dependence on the auto tune which tweaks their voices, I acknowledge that they have written their names in the golden annals of African music.

I also noticed a marked improvement in the Cameroon music scene with singers like X Maleya,Charlotte Dipanda, Blick Bassy, Muntu Valdo,Kareyce Fotso, Simon Nwambeben and Yvette Bassega redefining its aesthetics and daring to present something fresh and new. This is very important for the survival of our brand of music. I hope this trend continues in the coming year. I do believe that Cameroon music can still become as big as it was in the 80s.

Hopes for 2012? Firstly, I hope for peace. The African continent has had an unfair share of wars and unrest. I hope that our leaders will have the humility to know that peace is a collective victory. In war, no one wins because even the winner loses a friend, family member or colleague.

I also hope that piracy is curbed. We don't talk about it much but if an artist produces an album and doesn't get rewarded with proceeds from the sale of his CDs, it's a disincentive for him to produce other albums. So we must always remember that each time we ask a DJ to burn a CD for us, it's unethical and hurful to this art.

I also hope Dulce Camer grows bigger and gets more readership because I believe very much in what you guys do. Let's have FUN in 2012.
Thanks!

So that's it from our talents. We hope you too had some great highlights this year and 2012 will be even greater and more fab and fulfilled for you all.

See you in the new year!!!

Have a great one.
Dulce
xxx