André-Marie Tala is gearing up to celebrate 55 years in Cameroon’s entertainment industry, a milestone that has garnered the promise of technical support from the Ministry of Arts and Culture, led by Bidoung Mkpatt.
During a meeting in Yaoundé, Minister Mkpatt praised André-Marie Tala for his significant role in promoting and exporting Cameroonian culture and traditional music through his songs.
“André-Marie Tala, you are a national star. For over 5 decades, you have made music that has entertained Cameroonians and even crossed our national and continental borders. You can always count on the technical support of the ministry as you continue to entertain us with your music,” Minister Mkpatt remarked.
In response, André-Marie Tala expressed his gratitude for the minister’s offer of support as he prepares to celebrate his 55-year journey in the Cameroonian music industry. He also took the opportunity to urge the government to continue supporting artists, particularly emerging ones, as the music industry can often be challenging.
“In two months, I will be celebrating 55 years of my music career at the Yaoundé Conference Centre. As part of the celebration, I will connect with young artists and share my experiences and the difficulties I’ve faced. I want them to know that despite the challenges in the entertainment industry, we can still make it,” André-Marie Tala said.
He further encouraged upcoming artists to take pride in performing Cameroonian music and to use it as a means to convey values of peace, love, and unity.
“Throughout my career, I have used my songs to entertain and to pass on valuable messages to the public. I have sung about love, national unity, and integration, and I’ve spotlighted issues like tribalism and corruption to address them,” Tala recounted. “United, we are stronger, and we should learn to live together despite our differences.”
He also advised aspiring musicians to be patient and consistent in order to build a reputable career like his own.
“I want young musicians to know it is possible to succeed in Cameroon. It may not be easy at the beginning, but if you work hard to make good music, you will succeed.”
In an interview with the press, André-Marie Tala revealed that he has been composing music for 18 years and outlined the activities planned for his 55th-anniversary celebration, which will include a press conference, a sports talk, and a training workshop with upcoming artists.
