Last week, I had the pleasure of interviewing Banye Augustine alias Banso Boy. It was more of a conversation and unlike a lot of my pieces, I raised my eye brows at some of the things he had to say.
It is always quite refreshing seeing things through the eyes of others. We spoke about everything from music, his influences, Culture and Boko Haram.
Just in case you don’t know who Banye is, He released the well-received track Chorkoh in 2012, Ova Sabi with Ngoma in 2013 and has been lurking ever since but it’s safe to say he is one of the most diverse rappers 237 has ever seen. He recently released a song called AMINA with Gee Reign.
Banye is known for being vocal about his feelings and always puts up the ghetto attitude in all he does. So needless to say how excited I was when he accepted my request for an interview.
I hope you have fun reading this piece as I did having the conversation.
Aboki: Thank you for granting this interview.
Banye: My pleasure.
Aboki: You are well known within Cameroon’s ecosystem; but to those who don’t know you, can you please introduce yourself?
Banye: I am Banye from Banso. Most people know me as “Bansoboy”. I am a rapper/producer/singer above all a hustler.
Aboki: You seem to have omitted Blogger from that list. Have you stopped writing?
Banye: Yes, I stopped. If I had to tell you all the jobs I’ve done before, you will be surprised. lol #hustler
Aboki: I’m not sure I would, given my perception of you. Why did you stop if I may ask? You were great at it you practically invented serial tagging.
Banye: Hahahahahahah… the shoes of a blogger are no shoes for a rebel like me. I might end up hurting someone. The main reason however is because I had other things which I think needed my attention and couldn't permit me to be the blogger I was.
Aboki: Perfectly understandable. People seem to think you have fallen off the face of the industry. Do you think there is some degree of truth in that statement?
Banye: Yes, it is fair enough. I needed a break.You can say "fallen" but not completely out.
Aboki: Why did you take so much time off after dropping a huge song like ‘Chorkoh’ which was well received?
Banye: I lacked industry expertise at the time. I have taken time to address this issue. Again I had to experience that to know some of what I now know.
Aboki: So in other words you possess better understanding of the ecosystem and we are going to be receiving more songs from you right?
Banye: Definitely a lot more than you can consume. I am putting together the mechanism to better circulate them. I have recorded an album and a mix tape.
Aboki: Woaw! That’s a whole lot and I intend to address that later. What was the thought process behind the song ‘AMINA’ and how did it all come together?
Banye: AMINA is just about the girls who choose to depend on boys for a living and their ‘techniques’. I had an ibu girlfriend called Amina but it’s not about her but the song was titled after her. I wrote the song with Gee Reign in mind and the original title was ‘Les Panthere’ but there are already songs titled that way so I decided to change it. I contacted DJ Karl who was in Yaoundé at the time and with Gee Reign, Karl put together the instrumentals and we each wrote some parts of the lyrics. As you can see there is little history behind the track.
Aboki: Were you satisfied with the reception of the song?
Banye: Damn...Are you kidding me? The song leaked and circulated, I almost did not have need to release it. The reason why it never made much noise online was because a lot of people had it. I am satisfied with the fact that I’m given the opportunity to tell the story of our time through melody. I’m not worried because even after I’m gone, the song will speak for itself to whoever listens.
Aboki: So you’re saying it’s more of the message you pass on right?
Banye: Yes kind of, but you have to look at it so as to see it. If not, it would seem like another song with mboko slangs and funny lines.
Aboki: What are you more concerned with as an artiste, the culture, the music or the business?
Banye: All of them. I put them on different level of priority. I won’t compromise one for the other but I am aware that to be more successful one has to find a balance between all 3.
Aboki: If you were to give your top artistes, who would they be and why?
Banye: *laughs* Richard Bona. Is he and people of his caliber allowed in this list?
Aboki: Yes they are
Banye: X Maleya, Duc Z, Jovi, Stanley Enow, Boudour, Magasco and Gasha. I like a quality or two in each artiste but none is my model. So I would just leave the list at that.
Aboki: *laughs* ok I was expecting Jovi’s name to be a little more distinct in that list given the line of rap you sprang from but your lists sounds fine.
Banye: We have different concepts, I’m a society Evangelist. My gospel is ghetto and he is more of.... “I am this .... I can ... I did....” and he does it very well plus he produces extremely well. He’s master of his art but you would be tempted (meaning one might assume that he sprung from that line of rap which he disputes)
Aboki: You mean he is good at bragging..
Banye: You are smart. *laughs* in your own words
Aboki: Traditionally speaking rap has a lot of that. It’s embedded in its sport. Well I don’t necessarily buy your interpretation of his art but it’s respected by me.
Banye: Some call it beefing unidentified, but whatever works and makes money is good. It’s not all he does but he does much of that, and that you can’t deny.
Aboki: Woaw beefing! Do you have a problem with him?
Banye: I am fine with him but voicing my opinion like this now can change that but I’ll take the risk.
Aboki: What do you make of the blogger/artiste/pr hostile situation? I mean you have been a blogger and now an artise so you can see both sides of the coin. Do you think people reviewing songs and the ecosystem for what it is, is harmful?
Banye: If an artiste or blogger lets what is on his or her own media to be used to deform another, it’s their business and what they intend to gain. Some artistes seek to be news even if it is bad news. Controversy sells any day. As a blogger I know if you don't hype anything don't think people will be really excited about it. That said, it’s a positive thing to me. Either way we need fuel in the industry. If I were to propose a solution it will not be well received by everyone. If something works for you, stick to it while knowing that you will not satisfy everyone. If your business is criticizing, do so and hype it. If you’re an artiste or blogger, do what you do best it and create the hype. All this makes the industry as we know it.
Aboki: Hmm interesting take. Have labels/people approached you with record deals?
Banye: Many, but I’m not OK with the terms and conditions of the offers. Either way, “banana must ripe”. I have been proposed more than just record deals, but I still haven't found on with a mutual vision and agreement.
Aboki: Sounds fair. How important is the bridge between technology and culture in the Music Urban Sector with now?
Banye: Every medication has its side effects. Cameroon is not yet very digital. A good percentage of the population still don’t understand how most of these things work. The positive thing is that the internet has exposed some of our talente to the world easier. On the flip side, it has also affected some negatively for focusing only on the digital world and this is reflected in their music.
Aboki: Do you believe the future is digital?
Banye: It’s unavoidable what is not digital will depreciate heavily. Some of us are called to music to document track of that. In the future for example, I will order ‘koki’ online but we have to make sure there are still people who are able to cook the ‘koki’ as well as it were done before online sales. I hope I’m not misunderstood here.
Aboki: You definitely aren't. The foundation should be laid properly and the quality of the music shouldn't be compromised.
Banye: Right! You got me. Not everybody is obliged to do so but we have to put at forefront those doing so because it is inevitable. The next generation will more or less look up to us for cultural reference and this includes everything; fashion, music, etc.
Aboki: What should be expected from you in 2015?
Banye: An album, videos and a mix tape. I’m announcing my entry as a professional musician so expect everything from me. My album is made especially for Cameroonian home based hip hop lovers and the mix tape is more international with even remixes of some popular songs. It will be hectic.
Aboki: Yes, it does sound exciting and hectic. On a totally different note, what are your thoughts on the Boko Haram situation and what can we do to raise awareness?
Banye: There is a conflict only when two parties participate and fuel and finance both so let’s leave politics to the politician all I can say is, this is a campaign of fear. Fear is the best way to control humans.
Aboki: My question isn’t what the politicians can do. My question is what we as people/artiste/ bloggers and influencers can do to raise awareness
Banye: Nothing. What has awareness of other things done? The news alone does more than enough. I don’t want us to grow and live in fear of Boko Haram if you know what I mean.
Aboki: No I don’t. The fact that others haven't succeeded in raising a campaign that produced results doesn't mean it shouldn't be attempted
Banye: Correct
Aboki: Ignoring something doesn’t solve it. It simply makes people uneducated on how to react to certain situations.
Banye: Correct again! I have nothing against artistes who are involved in political causes and raising awareness and all that
I won’t do. Here is MY reason:
I know it’s politically motivated. I do not know all about it but I know it’s planned by those who don’t take the action. Those people will react depending on how we react. Our participation is what they seek. The more they’re known and people aware of them, the more influence and power they have. The day we meet, we shall deal with it. Until that day, let them go about their business as I do to mine.
Lastly, I do care if people are killed but I don’t care if they are killed for my attention. Let them find another method for my attention. If there is a solution, it’s clearly that which we are using now and have used before which is waging war and creating awareness.
Aboki: Being an artiste doesn’t omit the fact that you are a citizen of the country and even more so as you represent the country through your music. So people tend to react to your words/ So you for example telling people to watch for x,y,z actions in the crowd or to keep away from certain areas, or to report suspicious activities to the police does good to your people who you constantly sing to and that is without any political attention or affiliation. I don’t agree with your decision but I understand what you mean and like you said its "YOURS".
Banye: You see what you just described to me? It portrays people living in constant alert and fear. That’s not the world I want to live in. Letting people know they would die anytime if they are not careful? We will disagree on that point.
Aboki: It doesn't cancel the fact that its reality
Banye: No it doesn’t
Aboki: Don’t drive above 100 signs, don’t swim in the ocean, don’t cross the road without looking. All these are us being cautious and it’s the same thing I suggested but let’s agree to disagree.
Banye: If we dwell on Boko Haram, we have more of it and if we dwell on the beautiful things in life, we have more. Don’t be surprised if Cameroon starts having rebels. In fact, they will have in the nearest future. Mark my words. We have accepted them, spread them, and made them influential. I’m going far; this is topic for some other time.
Aboki: I agree, lets pick this up some other time. Any advice or last words for everyone involved in the Entertainment Ecosystem?
Banye: Yes, they aren't favors, just a play of interest. If money and girls are your motivation, you never sing or rap all that is in you so find some motivation above personal gratification and you’ll see the magic you are made of. Everyone can rap and sing like Michael Jackson did if you take the time to. I’m no big star, but I know if you set your heart to do anything and it’s all you want to do, you will do it. JAH bless!
Aboki: Thank you for taking time to talk to me and I look forward to our follow up conversations Banye: My pleasure bro.
