Cameroonian artiste living in Canada, Hopiho granted us this interview about his new album, personal life and what he thinks about Cameroon Hip Hop. Read it below.
Q: Hello Hopiho, you have just released a new album ‘Chant du Cygne’ in a few words can you tell us about this composition?
A: ‘Chant du Cygne’ contains 28 different songs. I invested heavily in this project and I hope with all my heart that it will pay off. I am far from being a novice, but I still do not have the recognition I deserve. With this album, I gave my all. If the public do not sulk the album, I may stop the music to concentrate on more lucrative activities.
Q: When listening to the album, we realized that there are a lot of collaborations (Amileena, Cathy Matete, Major David, Jackie and Ramzey Siele), but they all come from Kenya. Why this choice?
A: ‘Chant du Cygne’ is a double album that was recorded in Kenya and Canada. The first CD was recorded when I was living in Nairobi. This explains why there are so many collaborations with Kenyan artistes.
Q: You stated "My album was produced in Nairobi and wanted at all costs to give prominence to local talent," why Nairobi and not in Douala or Yaoundé?
A: Although there are many Kenyan artistes featured in my album, there are also Cameroonian artistes who participated in the project like my brother Fluggy the Pepito Akomax rapper and composer.
Q: Besides rap you included other rhythms in the album. How do you define yourself when it comes to music; rapper or a versatile artiste?
A: I do not only rap but sing too. In recent years I have improved a lot and I am now able to create beautiful melodies and catchy choruses. Besides, I wrote the choruses of the song ‘L.E.F, Baby’ and ‘On Va Couper Décaler’. Unfortunately, since I can’t sing that well, I had to call for back-ups. I could have used auto-tune, but I preferred working with real artistes and I am convinced I made the right choice. Contributions of singers like Chris Amileena and Winnie have made my songs reach the next level and become a classic album.
Q: What are the themes you included in this opus?
A: True, I talk a lot of love in the album, but it's not the only subject I included. The themes are varied. I also talked about friendship (Until I die), perseverance (Keep Going), tolerance (EWL), etc ... The Swan Song contains twenty songs. I urge you to listen to them. You will not be disappointed.
Q: If you had to describe this album in three words what will they be?
A: Different, Unpredictable and Relevant.
Q: How long did it take you on this project?
A: Writing the lyrics began in 2009; basically, the project took me six years. Between 2009 and 2015, I recorded some sixty songs. Sorting has been an extremely difficult exercise.
Q: What do you think of Cameroonian Hip Hop?
A: I find that the Cameroonian hip hop has made enormous progress. The quality of music and clips rose to a higher level. This is very encouraging and it's a great pleasure to see that the Cameroonian youth remains dynamic despite the difficulties they face on a daily basis.
Q: Who are the Cameroonian artistes you would like to work with and why?
A: I would like to work with all the legends of the Cameroonian music; Richard Bona, Petit Pays, Manu Dibango, Ben Decca and Decca Grace. Unlike me, they do not rap, but I am convinced that the fusion of styles will give something interesting.
Q: When do you intend to promote this album back home?
A: I intend to come to the promotion of the album in December 2015. Hopiho is ready to play the famous "Proust Questionnaire". Answer with a word or phrase.
Q: Your favorite virtue?
A: Loyalty
Q: The main feature of your character?
A: Curiosity
Q: The qualities you like in men?
A: In general, men are less likely than women.
Q: The qualities you like in women?
A: In general, women are more comprehensive than men.
Q: Main quality?
A: Perseverance
Q: Your main weakness?
A: Impatience
Q: Your historical figure?
A: Nelson Mandela
Q: The mistake that you cannot stand?
A: The betrayal
Q: The people who count most in your life?
A: My parents
Q: Your best memory?
A: Getting my college degree
Q: Your worst memory?
A: The death of my grandmother and my brother. Besides, it is a recurring theme in the album. Since these two events have profoundly affected me, it was reflected in my writing.
Q: Your favorite dish?
A: Ndole
Q: How would you like to die?
A: I do not want to die.
Q: What image would you people keep of you?
A: I want people to admire my talent.
