"IN THE MUSIC": BANYE UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL (KAMER ENTERTAINMENT INSIGHT BY ABOKI) #STOPBOKOHARAM EDITION

Hello people..It's another edition of "In The Music". This a guest blogger edition. Aboki interviews  Da BansoBoy, Banye...The 411 of his music, career, insight on the Camer music industry...and wraps up with #StopBakaram 

It’s a new year! *crowd screams* New handles, new faces, new resolutions (many of us wouldn’t keep) and a new interview from me[Aboki of Abokination]. 2014 was quite a year within the 237 ecosystem and I’m anxious to see what this year unveils. So far we've had many songs and an EP released (hmm I need to check the numbers(….. * remembers that this isn't a review*

SWITCH!

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 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 chose 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 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  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 kinda 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 artist, 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 on has to find a balance between all 3.

Aboki:

If you were to give your top artists, 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 artist 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 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/artist/pr hostile situation? I mean you have been a blogger and now an artist 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 artist 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 artists 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 artist  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. The 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 talent 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 make sure there are still people  who are able to cook the koki as well as it was 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 to up 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 specially for Cameroonian home based hip hop lovers and the mixtape is more international with even remixes of some popular songs, It will be a 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/artist/ 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 artists 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 its 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 and artist 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. Thats 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 those 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 a 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....

The Prelude…

*exhales* yes, that is exactly what I did after this conversation. We are human and tend to reason differently but I couldn't find a way to come to terms with what Banye said (still can’t ). The Boko haram situation is getting out of hand and if we can think five steps ahead and see the implication of these maggots rotting our country, we will be in tears. I mean economically, not to mention the social depression attached to it. I get the point that there are attention seekers out there who do things, just to seek for our validation and putting said names out in the media only empowers them but this is different.. *exhales*

People are dying!! Like you dig? Women, Children, Men… people who usually have to suffer with what to eat or clothes to wear now have to worry about their lives too. It’s plain disgusting. Humanity is indeed vanishing. This is a problem… massa matta dey… and we nedi solve palaver by looking the other way. It eats up till you have no eyes to see. Imagine if people turn a blind eye to social problems in the name of not giving it power… Aids, Rape, Gang Violence, theft, reckless driving… I di vex *exhales*

I also realize the fact that a lot of our campaigns with no real strategy behind does little or no good. We have to think beyond me waking up in the morning and tweeting “BOKO HARAM IS FILTH”. That lets some steam out but it doesn’t prevent those moths from picking up their weapons and driving into another village. So real messages should be put behind this, sensitization of the public…. *exhales* and then.. *closes laptop*

It’s really hard for me to write this, its pierces my soul. Big ups to our army and all those putting their lives on the line to fight this evil. I was so happy when I read that a ton of those rebels were killed by Camer’s arm forces. Even though we are angry and we mourn, there is however no reason to be disrespectful to certain religions. I am not a Muslim but I have studied enough of it and have something called a brain to realize that ISLAM doesn’t condone such killings. (get the side bar where I called such people brainless?)  So don’t go pouring your frustration on families who are equally suffering the same ill fate.

I pray for peace and unity to return to Cameroon and its neighbors. Your word counts find a way to join the #StopBokoHaram Campaign.

Salam Ma Lekum

About Aboki: 
Aboki is a  Writer / Music Rebel. You can follow me on the various media platforms

Twitter: https://twitter.com/abokination

Blog: http://dabreezenation.blogspot.com

Instagram: http://instagram.com/abokination/
Pinterest:https://www.pinterest.com/abokination/

Abokination on Facebook here

OK these guys totally had fun doing this interview..I honestly LoL when I read some parts of it. Looking forward to more from Da Banso Boy, Banye.

Be sure to check out updates and follow Banye  Facebook here, Soundcloud here

Twitter/Instagram @banyebansoboy

Thumbs to fellow music rebel Aboki & Banye for featuring on EP2 of "In the Music". The Camer Music scene is definitely going to be an interesting one this year. I like what I see so far. Stay tuned!

Y.M.
IRepCamer