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Best of Hoigen EKWALLA

Hoigen Ekwalla
(born Ekwalla Mpouli Eugène) (1949–2008) was a prominent Cameroonian musician known for his makossa music style. He gained fame in the 1980s and was recognized as the Artist of the Year in Cameroon in 1994.
Career and Life
Early Life: Born in Bonatéki, a quarter in Douala, Cameroon, Ekwalla lost his father at a young age. He worked as a mechanic and electrician before moving to Paris in 1980 and subsequently starting his music career back in Cameroon with the help of Kotti François.
Musical Style: He developed a particular talent for the guitar and played it on his albums. His music, often described as having a “velvet voice” and elegant appearance, featured sweet melodies and danceable rhythms.
Awards: He received a “Disque d’Or” (Gold Record) for his album Chat botté in 1988. His album Mon amie (1994, sometimes titled Mon amie vérité in 1995) earned him the title of Artist of the Year in Cameroon.
Later Years & Death: Frustrated by music piracy in Cameroon, he ventured into business in 2003, but never abandoned his passion for music. He was working on a new album in 2008 when he faced health problems. He died on October 23, 2008, in Laquintinie Hospital in Douala, leaving behind his mother, elder sister, and two children.
Source: Google

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Best of RANTAMPLAN

🎤 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

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