By Mua Patrick Mughe in Yaounde
He was born Anjianjei Constantine but goes
by the name Wams in the artistic world.
The young yet dynamic rising artist who
hails from Ngie sub division, Momo division of the North West region has
responded to critics who have been putting to question why his songs are
usually in French despite his Anglophone background.
In an interview granted The Cameroon Watch
recently, the journalist turned musician did not only explain his choice of
language but said what matters most in singing is the message that is sent
across.
“I sing in English, French, pidgin and my
native language, Ungie. To me it is advantageous to master multiple languages.
It broadens one's fan base, increase opportunities and makes one more
competitive” Wams told The Cameroon Watch in an exchange Thursday.
He added that:"It is not a weakness to
sing in French despite one's English background".
“It would be wrong if no English is used at
all. Most Anglophones rather speak pidgin and not English” he says.
“Music
is emotional but the business is not. It’s a game of numbers. 80% of Cameroonians
speaks French and there is an easily conquerable central African market that
speaks French than the saturated English speaking West African market dominated
by Nigeria” the Douala-based artist argued on.
He said “It is a shame that the English
speaking music audience in Cameroon has been reduced to an adoptive one. What
works in Douala, is accepted in Buea, Libreville etc and not the reverse. The
socio economic situation of Anglophone Cameroon needs revival for the situation
to be reversed.”
Meanwhile talking about his career as a
musician and song writer, Wams recounted that “After 12 years of cabaret
singing in Douala and 6years of journalism practice, Wams (Mr Classic) is here
with his maiden international release; “Newsman”.”
He says the song is an Afro soul \RnB piece
in which he uses melancholic vocal chords and sticky wet guitar strings to tell
the tale of challenges faced by journalists in 3rd world countries like
Cameroon.
“In barely weeks, thousands have watched and
downloaded Newsman by Wams on YouTube and joined the project on his Facebook
page @wamsofficiel” he said.
Wams in a nutshell
Wams grew up with his uncle Lucas El Chic
Echondong alias Amumba, a celebrated Highlife and Akarai musician from
Cameroon. He learned basic music theory and played the guitar as he tried to follow
in his uncle's footsteps.
During rehearsals, his uncle's band would give him a
chance to interpret American blues songs and some contemporary African hits at
the age of 15 to the appreciation of many.
Wams would thrill his school mates in high
school as he performed in a small school band called the roonians of BGS Buea.
He started making a name for himself when he released his debut single titled
Amingya meaning Hello in his native Ngie dialect.
After obtaining a Bachelor degree in
Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea, Wams developed
interest in writing theme songs for movies, documentaries, and community based
campaigns.
The first was his afro - soul piece Africa love that was used as
theme song in Paul Samba's Too Deep.
Wams is a Potential ambassador for the Camer
green music for the environment project after his song; “Earth song” caught the
attention of stakeholders in the promotion of best environmental practices.
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