Success to me is being comfortable in your skin and taking a step forward every time, you make an effort. –Tuke
THJ: Your birthday is coming up on April 10th. What do you have planned for that special day and should your fans expect anything special from you?
Tuke: Yeah I know the boy is getting old lol, but on the real am not too big on birthday celebrations so we will just have to wait and see.
THJ: Hip-Hop music is a very popular genre among Cameroonian artists in general, making it very competitive. What do YOU have that stands out and why should people pay attention to your music and not the next artist down the street?
Tuke: Turn on your radio if you would hear anything like Ride or Die, Friends, Let Me Luv You, Dream Chaser and any other of my songs. I can guarantee you won’t, so that in its self proves I am unique. The feeling you get from my music is just different. My music connects those in Cameroon to those in Europe and America because no matter the level of Ebonics I use, you will always hear that ”Kumba Boy” in my music. Plus my songs have got content. I don’t make music for the hype.
THJ: We know that the culture of Hip-Hop commonly involves the use of the words “F*ck”, “Ni*ga”, “Bi?*ches” etc. which is typically relatable to the African Americans and considered offensive to many others. Do you think using these words in your songs are necessary and will Africans “relate” to this type of language?
Tuke: I mean no matter the terminology, those words are used in Africa. We just call them differently. Plus, not every song will fit that content. We should not forget Hip-Hop is the biggest genre in the world and Hip-Hop influences pop culture, so I think the conversation of being “relatable” is gone. Music is food for the soul.
Featured Video: Watch “Think They Know” by Tuke
THJ: Name two artists that inspire and Why?
Tuke: Young Holiday. I am glad he stayed real to his craft and made music he likes rather than going for what is trending. Emmanuel is a great album. It should be up for nominations during awards season. I mean I am a rapper’s rapper. I get hyped when I hear people spit, that gives me lots of inspiration. Skidi Boy, Crispy, Dready Christ, Boy Cheeze, Askia and Mic Monster are my favorites.
THJ: Name one Cameroonian music producer you would like to work with whom you haven’t worked with yet and one non-Cameroonian producer you would like to work with and why
Tuke: This is tough cuz the two producers I work with or have a relationship with already found my sound and know how I like to get things done. But Slim Beatz holler at a brother. This Kumba connect must go through.
THJ: Hahaha OK, Slim Beatz please reach out to this Kumba boy here!
