Mimie,cameroonian singer
Recently, a young super talented Cameroonian artist was uncovered.
She is known by the stage name Mimie and she made a powerful debut in the music industry with a single ‘Dance Fi You’.
This master piece has been banging at every joint in and around the Country, topping playlists and generating positive feedback from music lovers.
Who is Mimie?
Mimie is a young Cameroonian artist based in Douala.
My birth name is Melanie Ngoga but I go by the stage name Mimie I am Douala by origin but I have lived and studied in Buea, Lycee Bilingue de Molyko precisely.
That explains my proficiency in English.
When did you start singing?
I started singing at the age of 11. I even wrote my first song at 13 (smiles).
I actually decided to pursue a career in music in 2013 when Stanley Enow gave me a chance to sing with him at the ifest on the 19th of December 2013.
I became a key member of Motherland Empire so I featured in several shows with Stanley Enow.
since then, I decided to build my own career.
Wow thats interesting. What was the reaction from your family when you decided to get into music?
Well my mum is no more but i’m sure she would be proud of me. As for my dad, it was very very difficult for him to appreciate this at the beginning.
This is because before I became a singer, I started off as an actress and a video vixen and it was very difficult for him to see me out everyday hustling.
Now that I’m almost done with my studies, he is very proud of me, plus, he loves my new single ‘Dance Fi You’ (laughs).
ohhh who wouldn’t? It’s a great song.
Thanks a lot (smile)
Who are your musical inspirations?
Bebe Manga, Myriam Makeba, Adele, Rihanna, Celine Dion, Jessie J…
ohhh my favorites too… but you omitted Beyonce (Laughs)
Oh yes… She is too high for me (Laughs)
So your debut single ‘Dance Fi You’ has been toping playlists and making so much waves so far.
It’s a master piece and fans simply can’t get enough of it.
What's the story behind this song?
How did you come about this song?
Yaaaaahhhhh and I was very surprised thought (smiles)... ‘Dance Fi You’ has a long story.
I wrote the song in 2014 during the MTN competition ‘MAKE THE MUSIC’ where Salathiel was the winner.
I was telling myself that if I win, ‘Dance Fi You’ will be my next song (giggles).
I didn’t win but I wasn’t discouraged. I went to Stefan Akam for the instrumental but it wasn’t too good for me.
I went to DJess Panebo, he made a wonderful instrumental, a very nice one indeed.
I even recorded the song for the first time but when he sent me the finished product, I wasn’t convinced.
It wasn’t exactly what I wanted so I met Coco Agentee’s ex-manager Tanko, he called Adah Akendji.
Adah called ‘No Hit No Record’ in Buea. One week after, we went to Buea to record the song for the second time.
Adah said we had to redo the instrumentals. Phillbillbeatz was there and he was very interested.
After the recording session, I returned to Douala.
5days later, Phillbillbeatz sent me the new instrumental.
I was like Woooowwww!!! So I wanted to record the song for the 3rd time (smiles).
Two weeks later, Adah called me and we went to Alpha Beta Records, I recorded the song.
I was well directed by Salatiel who even added some special elements on the beat and on the chorus. I was totally satisfied (smiles).
Wow it is really a long story. You strike me as a perfectionist. A ‘Beyonce’ quality (smiles)
Yahhhh it is… hahahahahahah ... ‘Beyonce’ Nooooo she is too high for me…hahahah
She is not too high. I believe you can get there. You have the potential.
(Blushes) If you believe I believe too.
Is there a particular message you would want your fans to get from the song ‘Dance Fi You’?
Yeah actually, as we can see from the title, the song is all about dancing.
Not just dancing but dancing well, very well, only for your man because I realized that men love girls who know how to dance well.
With sensuality. So in this song I call on everybody, women especially to dance well to their men when it comes to it.
There is no need to be shy or afraid of being sensual, it is a weapon, it is an advantage (smiles).
One remarkable thing about ‘Dance Fi You’ is your vocal… is it natural or do you do some extraordinary work to make it that perfect?
I can say its natural… but I’m also working on it, especially techniques and vocal power.
Just before Dance Fi You I started a course with a vocal coach Roben Messio, he helps me a lot.
Great!! Keep up the good work.
Sure… Thanks
So what’s your next move?
I’m working on my video right now. Everybody wants to see me dance for my man (laughs).
The video is coming very soon. I am also working on my EP.
5years from now where do you see yourself.
Grammy Awards (laughs) .
One of the most influential ladies in Africa and in the World, still ambitious (smiles).
If I were to turn on your phone or iPod right now and go through your playlist, which 5 Kamer songs am I most likely to find on your ‘recently played’ list?
Mimie
Dance Fi You,
Stanley Enow – Kingkong,
Nernos Le Kams – je ne suis pas bobo,
Salatiel – Sa se passe ici
Daphne – gunshot.
If you were asked to choose 5 Cameroonian artists to collaborate with, who would they be?
Eko Roosvelt, Charlotte Dipanda, Locko, Mr Leo, Ewube.
Wow… nice choices. I love Ewube… so much potential…
Yeahhhh Beaucoup d’energie
List 5 things you can’t do without.
My phone of course (smiles),
my Gloss,
my perfume,
my earphones
my small bottle of water.
Hahahahahah ‘Nyanga’
I’m not really ‘Nyanga’ (laughs)
Yes you are. You are definitely one of the most ‘Nyangalicious’ Kamer artist so far (laughs). Cute, talented and intelligent, all these are qualities men will die for. So to all the guys out there; Is Mimie single or taken?
(Laughs hard, sweats a little and takes a deep breath). I prefer to keep it private (winks).
Is there any message you would like to tell the world, the industry and the aspiring artists?
Yeahhh ‘ trust in God, have faith in you, stay focused and work hard as if tomorrow will be the end of the world’.
#Preach… That’s a strong one. Thank you Mimie
No... Thank you. It was a pleasure.
