waiting shrimp
- In Cameroon, Martinez Zogo, too much for Paul Biya
- Cameroon in the shadow of Paul Biya
His place of residence, he chose his option. But when he welcomes us to his opulent apartment in the eastern suburbs of Yaoundé, Tenor agrees to open up without filter. With “kamer” slang on his lips, the musician recalls his young career, his successes that, in just a few years, supported him to the top of the ranking of “walking artists”; he talks about this unique style, which has become his trademark, and even the inevitable setbacks that accompany glory.
From makeshift studios to success
At 24 years old, Tenor established himself as the greatest figure in Cameroonian urban music, of which he became one of the most expressive ambassadors. Singer and songwriter, the artist stands out for his versatility, moving from rap to traditional rhythms with disconcerting ease. “I never wanted to be defined musically,” he explains. It's true, my base is rap, but I prefer to be a jack of all trades. His discography is there to illustrate this: a long list of titles, including many hits, with very celebrated sounds.
However, Tenor assured, he never imagined being so successful, when he was still practicing in improvised studios in Edéa, a city on the Coast where he spent part of his childhood. Juggling between hours courses and leisure beaches, he only fervently hoped for “the recognition [son] talent”. At this point in his life, music was above all the escape valve that allowed him to forget the vicissitudes of an often difficult daily life.
“Do the dab”… with Chantal Biya
His musical career took shape quickly. Megoumou Thierry, known as Tenor, was 18 years old when his title “Do le dab” became a hit in Cameroon. This song is propelled to the front of the stage. The success went viral the following year, thanks to his performance during the Canal 2'Or 2017 ceremony in Yaoundé, during which the first lady, Chantal Biya, played the game and did a dab, a gesture popularized by football player Paul Pogba.
The following titles received an equally enthusiastic reception from the public. “Kaba Ngondo”, “Bad Things” or even “Déranger” – in collaboration with singer Bikutsi Mani Bella – propel him even further into the spotlight. The energy he exudes in his performances attracts record companies, who rush to sign him. It was Universal Music Africa, then booming on the continent, that won the bet in November 2017, organizing a ceremony to announce the happy event.
DJ Arafat's heir
With this label, Tenor enters the big leagues. The doors of the West African market and collaborations with renowned artists then opened for him. Among them was Ivorian DJ Arafat, then at the top of his game. her presenting with Tenor, “Chicoter les tímpanos” is the most perfect illustration of this: more than 1 million views on download platforms in just a few days. It's the beginning of a shocking duo, but it won't last long.
When Arafat died in a motorcycle accident in August 2019, the coupé-décalé star's public named Tenor as his heir. The Cameroonian rapper then established himself on the throne of urban music in Francophone Africa. “I have no words to describe what DJ Arafat brought to my career and to my life”, he said confidently, struggling to contain his emotion as he evoked the one he called “father”. But he refuses to be seen as a clone of the Ivorian legend: “I am and continue to be the Tenor of the entire world. And that doesn't stop me from always paying homage to Arafat. »
tragic accident
Tenor follows a monotonous career. In 2020, he founded his own record label (Ebanflang En Pire) and joined the young house in produced by Def Jam Africa. The following year, he released a new EP, Mother earth.
The awards and shows follow one another... Until that fateful Thursday, July 15, 2021. In the early hours of the morning, when leaving a nightclub in Douala, the artist loses control of the car and crashes violently into a median. He emerges unconscious, with a fractured forearm. The fate of the vehicle's two passengers is more tragic: one – the driver of the rented Mercedes – is admitted to intensive care in critical condition; the other, a 19-year-old student, died instantly.
Accused of manslaughter, Tenor will be detained for almost two months. He shares his cell with Ondoa Nkou, former deputy director general of the Cameroon International Bank for Savings and Credit (Bicec), imprisoned for embezzlement. For several weeks, the artist was the target of intense lynching on Cameroonian social media. In court, he pleads guilty. But the victim's family was not a witness at the hearing during which he made this statement. She then suspects the judge of collusion and decides to challenge him. After two years, the case was never reported again.
This drama left a deep impression on him. “It's difficult to talk about this case because, no matter what I say, whatever pain I may feel, some won't even bother to listen to me and will think about making judgments”, recognizes Tenor, who evokes an episode “that continues to terrify him.” Was justice influenced as the student's family alleges? The proximity to the family of the director of the civil office, Oswald Baboke, fuels all fantasies.
Exuberant showman, discreet young man
The fact is that after having benefited from a provisional launch in September 2021, the artist is committed to relaunching the machine of hits and shows. Since then, he has covered around fifty scenes across the planet. One eye has always been fixed on his dream: to perform on the Bercy stage in Paris.
Show man exuberant on stage, discreet and discreet young man in the city – where he enjoys “quality moments” with his daughter: these are the two facets that Tenor displays today. Which ends with a lesson that he says he learned from his last love relationship (with the Ivorian actress Eunice Zunon), “life is beautiful, you have to make the most of it”… To profit from is in fact his latest title, released in 2022. Thus speaks the Tenor, the tonic tone AND strong.
