For the record, the music industry in Cameroon has crumbled over time because of lack of laws that support and guide artists, protecting them from foreign dominance and more.
Just a few weeks ago, the industry lost Mama Nguea, a pioneer in the industry, who had her both legs amputated and later died. There was no news whatsoever about the government’s intervention after her death. Or maybe there was, but not for Mama Nguea and there are many other entertainers have passed on with almost nothing to show for at the end of their careers because they worked their butts off and sacrificed everything but ended up dying with their hands akimbo (empty).
Nigerian music and many others invaded the Industry like a locust and suppressed young growing and aspiring talents but little in that regard. However, that liberty is one you cannot get in other countries music industry.
Artists all over Cameroon have been battling the dominance and when they thought the government could step in to provide them with some level of support, of course they did. In fact, the government came through like a hawk to take the chicks from the many hen that just hatched. The point here is that, the hawk never sows but always comes to snatch and that’s exactly what is likely happening at the moment.
If the bill by the ministry of Arts and Culture (MINAC) is to be implemented, it will mean the music industry is going back to square one and starting afresh. Imagine the government deciding on what international or inter-country collaborations should and shouldn’t take place between artists. This can hurt artists as how will MINAC that has been so out of touch from the industry until now suddenly know what is in the artists best interest?
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Artists have had to fend for themselves and create opportunities will little or no help from MINAC which is why we mentioned earlier that MINAC is acting like a hawk that wants to reap where and what it didn’t sow.
