Two Bikutsi superstars face each other in court over defamation

Lady Ponce and Coco Argentee, two popular Bikutsi singers in Cameroon, are set to appear in court, to address allegations of defamation.

Coco Argentee accused Lady Ponce of witchcraft, triggering a long-lasting feud between the two singers.

The animosity between the two best cultural promoters and performers in Cameroon started in 2020.

 Argentee accused Lady Ponce of using her powers to suppress other artists and promote her own career.

Coco Argentee, 41, whose real name is Corine Céline Ntyame, also made a mockery of Lady Ponce’s appearance and background. Ponce, aged 40, who is called Adèle Ruffine Ngono, did not welcome the remarks from her colleague.

“Poncefack, it is time you and your vampires stop destroying other artists for your glory. Enough is enough. It is ugly. A birthday is a renaissance. Ask God for forgiveness for the evil you have done to others and your fans,” Argentee stated in a post on Facebook that has now been deleted.

Fans of both artists had already captured the posts and shared them widely, with many describing it as “jealousy.”

Ponce takes court action

Lady Ponce did not react to Coco Argentee’s post immediately. She instead decided to take her time and sue her for defamation. In her statements supporting the case, Ponce stated that she is suing her colleague for “emotional distress and damage to her reputation,” adding that she is “seeking damages for it.”

The trial is due to take place in Yaounde on September 19, 2023.

Cameroonians are closely following the case, with thousands already sharing their thoughts on the issue.

Longstanding ‘enemies’

Lady Ponce and Coco Argentee have not shared kind words for each other for several years now. According to many, they have been rivals. The two women are among the most talented bikutsi artists in Cameroon.

Lady Ponce, on the other hand, is a seasoned Bikutsi singer whose career spans over two decades. She is lauded for her infectious music and lively presentations.

As a young performer, Coco Argentee sprang to prominence as one of Cameroon’s most beloved bikutsi singers. She became well-known due to her sensual appearance and dynamic dancing skills.

Their trial is highly anticipated in the Cameroonian music industry.

Outspoken Lady Ponce

“You cannot keep comparing with Ponce because she is way above you; she has never been silent on rights abuses, societal ills, or about the plight of Cameroonians,” Aisha Kamoise, a renowned blogger, told Argentee.

Aisha further advised Argentee to collaborate with Ponce and stop seeing her as a rival. “Ponce is loved by many because she has, over the years, used her fame to speak up objectively about things happening around her. She spoke against what happened to Monique Koumatekelle, against the murder of Martinez Zogo, a comedian who died prematurely, about bad roads, etc. But that cannot be said about you because you have always been quiet, almost inexistent, especially when Cameroonians and your millions of fans need you,! Aisha articulated.

The outspoken nature of Ponce has won a place even in the hearts of diaspora activists who have routinely disrupted musical concerts of home-based artists who have failed to speak up. Argentee has been a victim of some of these disruptions. In fact, in one of her posts, she questioned why “others are allowed to hold concerts abroad and not others.”

Amid calls for Ponce to drop the lawsuit, only time will tell what the outcome of the case will be.

Bikutsi

Bikutsi is a musical genre from Cameroon.

It evolved from the dances of the Beti, also known as Ewondo, who reside in the region surrounding Yaoundé.

In the middle of the twentieth century, it became quite fashionable in West Africa. The music is meant to be danced to.

Mimi Mefo Takambou and Washira Helene