Ulanda’s “Mon Mari” wins Best Music Video award for advocating against domestic abuse

Ulanda singer in Cameroon

Cameroonian makossa singer Ulanda (aka Mama Makossa) has clinched the Best Music Video award at the recent Cameroon Music Evolution awards for her song, “Mon Mari.”

The song, which has over 1.7 million views on YouTube, stands out for its advocacy against domestic abuse.

“Mon Mari” triumphed over four other nominees in the category, including Stanley Enow’s “Take Over” and Blanche Bailly’s “Dieudonne.”

The award was presented to Ulanda during the third edition of the Cameroon Music Evolution awards held in Buea on Friday, April 19.

“My people! Congratulations to us for winning the best music video award for #MonMari. It’s all thanks to you! Your votes made it happen,” Ulanda wrote after receiving the accolade.

“This song has touched countless women’s lives with its powerful message against domestic violence. My life’s goal is to impact people with the talent God has given me, and I believe this is just the beginning for Mon Mari.”

The song “Mon Mari” has become Ulanda’s most popular track, amassing over 1.7 million views on YouTube since its release last year.

It stands out for its powerful message against domestic abuse.

It paid tribute to the tragic death of Diane Yangwo, a secondary school teacher in Douala who was beaten to death by her husband last year.

Since its release, “Mon Mari” has resonated with thousands of women facing similar situations, becoming a national anthem against domestic abuse.

Ulanda‘s song advocates for women to have the freedom to leave abusive relationships.

“Women must be empowered to leave because they feel they have to stay for the money, for the children, etc.,” Ulanda remarked upon releasing the masterpiece on YouTube.

Domestic violence and other forms of gender-based violence remain a pertinent issue in Cameroon, with the UN recording 2,386 cases in the first quarter of 2023 in the English-speaking regions alone.

Out of these cases, 97.1 percent of victims were female, and 73.3 percent of abuses were perpetrated by intimate partners or former partners.

The UN and other agencies have continued to decry and fight against this ill through sensitization and women’s empowerment.

Ulanda’s “Mon Mari” came to add impetus to the fight against domestic violence and GBV as a whole.

The recent Cameroon Music Evolution award for the song has further validated and amplified Ulanda’s message, bringing greater awareness to the issue of domestic violence.

Ulanda was among several Cameroonian entertainers honoured during the award ceremony in Buea. The Cameroon Music Evolution Awards (CAMEAwards) is an annual event that celebrates the talent and achievements of Cameroon’s music industry.

The event showcased the diverse talent and creativity within Cameroon’s music scene, reaffirming the country’s position as a hub for musical innovation and expression.

Below is a list of all award winners for this year’s CAMEAwards:

Artist of the year: Kocee

Song of the year: Take Over by Stanley Enow

Album of the Year: 2035 by Jovi

Music Evolution Award: Emile Ngomba

Personality of the Year: Francis N’Gannou

Label of the Year: Kwata Music

Best Video Director: Chuzih

Best Live Performer: Salatiel

Best Content Creator: Godisz Fungwa

Best Music Video: Ulanda

Best Dancer/Dance Group: Cameroon Dance Academy