The leader of the group, ‘Idole Kpu’, Guespa warmly welcomed us to his home for this interview. We discussed hip hop in Cameroon, his career and his group.
Q: Hi Guespa, thank you for granting Kamermoov this interview. Briefly tell the readers about who Guespa is and more regarding the group.
A: Hello family; Guespa aka Black King is an artiste living in Cameroon, Africa. I have been a member of the group ‘Idole Kpu’ since its inception in 2005. The group has two albums to its credit. I am a singer and songwriter. I made a solo single called ‘Ghetto youth’.
The group is first of all a family sealed by destiny. The group may not be at a high level, but we work to bring the best just like we did with ‘Ghetto Youth’ and the best is yet to come. In short we are back with this project for you. The guys are working hard; Rufflõ is currently in the lab working thing out. Stay tuned because Idol Kpu is for life.
Q: Your first album, ‘Music Street’ was quite successful. The second album lagged a bit behind, what happened to Idol Kpu?
A: (Laughs) we are back to like the ghetto youth. To me, Idole Kpu is definitely a success. Looking at the state of our society, the goal of our two albums has been fulfilled. Thus we are not the ones who chose success. Rather, success chose us.
Q: A few months ago, you released a solo project. Tell us about it in a few words.
A: ‘Ghetto youth’ is my greatest pride as an artiste. It was as a result of the ‘natural’ meeting of two great talents of the African music. Everything happened naturally. Shersha and I had no idea we were going meet before that day. It happened when my littel Dj Mel Le Black invited me to the studio to listen to the beats he had put together for me.
It turned out he (Shersha) was also there to record his album and while I was doing freestyle on the song he was amazed. He asked me if he could collaborate with me. I answered in the affirmative. So this is the result of music as I like it; music that brings awareness. It’s an inspiration drawn from the sky.
Q: In featuring you included reggae. Why this choice?
A: Reggae music is the mother of music genres. It is obvious based on its viewpoint and spiritual bearing messages of peace and love for a neighbor, regardless of race. Ghetto Youth is a song that bears the same values and as artistes, we have a moral duty to our fans, who are mostly young and sometimes naïve. Their interpretation of reality is sometimes mirrored by the going ons in their generation, much like corruption in Cameroon.
Q: In addition to being an artiste, you are also a businessman (he owns a clothing boutique: Mvog Mbi). Do you merge business and music?
A: The future of the artiste in this country is gloomy though. So we are forced to wear double hats (laughs). You have to pay the bills which the unprofitable can not handle it.
Q: For several months Cameroonian Hip Hop is affiliated to "Nigerialiser" video clips which are filmed in the village or in the forest, African clothes with Afrobeat as instrumentals. What is Guespa’s point of view on this subject?
A: I do not think that hiphop in Cameroonian is ‘Nigerialised’ but is aimed at towing its own path. It also depends on what the artiste says in his song. For instance if the lyrics are about his village, the location will not be shot in the mortuary (laughs). There is also no harm in taking a few cues from a good video. Africa still wins in the end.
Q: As part of the game, how do you find the level of 2h (hip hop) Cameroon as compared to what is happening elsewhere?
A: The 2h Cameroon made its way to a good start and for me it's the only music that did not stop evolving. The largest Cameroonian music wins come from Hiphop. Cameroon is a talent pool. It has always been among the greatest. It just needs a little support and no one can compete with us.
Q: I will mention five names of hip hop heavyweights in Cameroon. You tell me what you think of them -Valsero, -Krotal, -DJ Bilik, -Boudor and Tony Nobody.
A: Ayaaaaa!!!To me they are what keeps hip hop going in Cameroon. I’m glad to personally know such great pioneers. They are great artistes and I’m happy to have had the chance to work with them. Soon they will be greater. Unity is strength and that is what our movement is all about. Big up to them 5, they are the reason I am motivated to continue.
