Ben DECCA

🎤 Spotlight: Rantamplan
Who she is
Rantamplan (real name Koué Dorothée) is a singer‐dancer from Cameroon, noted for her work in the genre Bikutsi in the 1990s. She hails from the East Region of Cameroon (Messamena). agendaculturelducameroun.com

Her nickname “Rantamplan” apparently comes from a stage rapport with fellow musician Nkodo Si Tony (also known as Si-Tony) where they were likened to “Lucky Luke and Rantamplan” on stage—eventually the name stuck. agendaculturelducameroun.com

Musical & dance contributions
She worked initially as a dancer and chorist for Si Tony, then made the move into recording. agendaculturelducameroun.com

Her first recorded release: an album titled Ezezek (4 tracks), done in two days in the mobile studio of the engineer/arranger Mystic Djim (Clément Djimogne). agendaculturelducameroun.com

Her style is intimately connected with Bikutsi, a rhythm‐based, foot-stomping genre from the Beti/Ewondo people of central Cameroon. The term “bikutsi” itself means “to beat the earth / to stomp the feet”. Wikipedia

Importantly, Rantamplan is credited as being a pioneer among female performers in Bikutsi who combine singing and dancing—bringing dance moves from her home culture into the mainstream of Bikutsi performance. agendaculturelducameroun.com