Junior Eyango, singer and nephew of Cameroonian music legend Prince Ndedi Eyango, is on a mission to use the Makossa Musiki Awards to breathe new life into Makossa, the “ancestor of Cameroonian music.”
Through the inaugural Makossa Musiki Awards, taking place April 7–11, 2024, Eyango hopes to “revive this heritage by allowing a return to its sources and reconnecting it to the new generation and young talents,” under the theme “Makossa: Cameroonian heritage, legacy, and reward.”
Facing competition from foreign musical styles, the event aims to “safeguard this heritage,” Eyango explained. He emphasised the importance of “rebuilding Makossa, celebrating the men and women who have left their mark on this country through Makossa. The promoters and patrons of Makossa must be celebrated.”
Bringing Makossa Back to Life
Eyango’s initiative has garnered support from prominent figures in the Cameroonian music scene. Prince Ndedi Eyango himself is sponsoring the awards, while artists Adrien and Beko Sadey, and Longue Longue are all part of the organizing committee.
“I am happy to be here and I accepted to accompany this project because it is a good project for all the artists,” said Junior Mbedi, Eyango’s Godfather. “It’s the time to take advantage for everyone to fit in the project and play a part. Especially me, the godfather of the project.”
Celebrating the Past, Inspiring the Future
The event also aims to bridge the gap between generations. Longue Longue expressed his frustration with the lack of recognition for Makossa artists, highlighting the media’s focus on “urban music.”
“Makossa artists are forgotten,” Longue Longue lamented.
Beko Sadey, a veteran performer who has experienced the music genre’s global reach, echoed the sentiment: “At over 65, we can still move Makossa forward. Youth must have a reference point among the elders,” she said, emphasizing her role as a “compass” for the younger generation.
The Makossa Musiki Awards mark a significant effort to not only celebrate the rich history of Makossa but also ensure its continued legacy for future generations.
