Bikutsi music star Mani Bella has shocked fans with a declaration of her intention to quit creating secular music and embrace God.
In a statement shared on Facebook, on August 18, the singer revealed she wants a complete turnaround from her former lifestyle by changing her music, dancing and dressing style in favor of one that glorifies God.
Mani Bella, who is known for her energetic singing, revealing clothes and erotic dancing styles, said she is serious about renouncing this way of life.
“I want to give my life completely to GOD. To sing and dance only for his glory… Change my style of dress… Avoid artificial things!” she wrote.
However, she does not know how to start pursuing the new way of life and finds it difficult to abandon her current lifestyle.
She sought help from her followers, expressing uncertainty about how to begin seeking God.
“Dear men and women of GOD, please help me…
How did you abandon everything and give your life entirely to God? I’m scared but… I’m serious!” she said.
Mani Bella, whose real name is Véronique Mani Bella, is a prominent singer of the Bikutsi music genre, originating from Cameroon’s Centre Region.
She was born on October 29, 1987, into a family of musicians.
Her late father, Mani Léon, known as Pilatus, was a bass player and her grandfather, Apollinaire Owona, better known as Cherami, was a saxophonist.
She grew up in the Nkoabang district of Yaoundé. She is best known for her unique style that blends traditional Cameroonian music with modern rhythms, particularly in the Bikutsi genre, which is popular in the Center Region of Cameroon.
Bella started playing music at a very young age. At school, she sang at school clubs and later in cabarets.
After her father died in 2003, she wrote her first song entitled ‘Pilatus’, as a hommage to her father.
She rose to fame with her hit song “Pala Pala,” released in 2014, which became a massive success in Cameroon, other parts of Africa and even Europe.
The song’s vibrant and catchy lyrics helped solidify her reputation as one of the leading female artists in Cameroon.
When she announced on her Facebook page her decision to completely turn to God and sing only godly songs, many of her fans showed support for her newfound way of life.
While some encouraged her, others questioned if she would take her decision seriously and keep to her word.
