URBAN BLEND

25/12/2022

05/06/2022

"The Stars Are Watching" by Mic Monsta Official is sure to end the year as one of the best Albums of 2022.

I mean, the lyricism, instrumentation, rhythmic pattern, and overall energy is on a new dimension.

Then the question arises, why did Mic Monsta name his Album, THE STARS ARE WATCHING? Are the stars truly watching?


He had this to say,

“I believe stars are meant to shine through dark times. Each time they do, they inspire those that are trying to become stars and why not those that are already stars. It inspires the unborn children of future generations and even those that would die and fancy being a star in the sky.

So somehow, the stars are always watching, which is why we have to keep doing the best we can and keeping pushing forward even when we feel like we do not get the credit we deserve. The lamp is a symbol of self sacrifice as it consumes itself to offer light to the world. Be the lamb and let your star shine, it all comes from within"

29/05/2022

AWU is truly musically special. SOUNDS OF HERITAGE can stand the test of time anywhere in the world. Cameroon should be proud!

Stream now:
https://www.boomplaymusic.com/share/album/30960083?srModel=byWH&srList=ANDROID

26/05/2022

𝟖𝟎/𝟐𝟎 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐖𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐚. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝐍𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞... (𝟐 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬)


One thing you seem to not have taken note of is that everything surrounding the 80/20 idea is influenced by Nigerian music alone. Songs of other nations are of little importance when this talk comes up.
And Nigeria being the only country targeted with the 80/20 policy, make things more difficult for that policy to be effective.

There's a saying in business strategy that, if you wish to be 'worshipped' in whatever brand of business you do, 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐘 𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍!

That's ironical right?
Well, it isn't.


I understand that competition defines the very essence of every business plan including the music business. But for a brand to stand out - for an industry to stand out, it must stay out of competition. This is exactly what Nigeria is doing.

She's acclaimed the giant of African entertainment not because she does not have competitors but because she's placed herself in a non-competitive position vis-à-vis the others, including Cameroon.


Take this as an example. In a science class of 40 students, MBULI, MBENDA & TOHNJI are always among the top 3 students in class. But at the end of every school term, MBULI comes out with an average of between 18.8 -19.1 while MBENDA & TOHNJI though at the 2nd and the 3rd positions, would find themselves with 14.65 and 14.5 Averages respectively.

In this instance, MBENDA & TOHNJI are in high competition but MBULI stays out of that competition because he's placed himself above their bar. Trying to compete with MBULI (someone who isn't in competition with you) would be kind of worthless.

Nigeria has understood this and is not leaving any stone unturned to stay out of competition when it comes to entertainment in Africa.

Cameroon and Congo DR found themselves in this non-competitive position at some point, when Makossa was the face of African Music with Manu Dibango, Wes Madiko, Petit Pays, Richard Bona, etc making tours here and there.


Why did they fail to maintain that spot?
This takes us to our second point - 𝐋𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭!

When a Cameroonian Artiste gets on the "Mangosi" instrumentals to say, "𝑴𝒂𝒌𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒂: 𝒊𝒍 𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒕!" what comes to your mind? Is that not a fact? What point can you give to dispute what he said?
Truly it is dead - it can't stand any form of competition again, thoughtless of staying out of it. (unless we refine it)

Refinement rejuvenates, it advances & send competitors to 'hell'. Rigidity is what kills and that's what has happened with Makossa. And may still happen to our contemporary sound because we're copying without embedding any form of novelty into what we copy.


So, let's assume that the Cameroonian audience decides to embrace the idea of 80/20. Our environment being one where even the stakeholders resent the risk of testing new sounds or general refinement itself, do you think it'd last? Before you realize it, they (the audience) would be running back to stream and push the more refined music coming from the other side.
Motorola shouldn't blame it's customers going for the new iPhone or Samsung, because it chose to remain rigid.
Continuous refinement is key to having a grip of the entire market. Something Nigeria seems to be a master of.


She has outdone herself, continues to do so daily through refinement of sound to stay out of continental competition.

And if there must be an industry to second and/or third Nigeria in Africa, the relationship would be same as that of MBENDA & TOHNJI in the science class example above - leaving Nigeria at the apex.

To beat her or even compete for this spot, you'd better belt up tight.


Just for the Record,
Google, facebook, Netflix, SpaceX are all business brands that are staying out of competition because they've placed their value so high that prevents the other competitors from meeting them on the same stage.

Nigeria has succeeded in creating such value for her entertainment industry in this contemporary state of the art, from which she reaps a lot - getting many youths established, financially free and contributing greatly to their National GDP.

So I think, we have 2 things to do for 80/20 to ever hold some grounds - refine our sounds relentlessly - not just copy blindly (if we must copy) but with a unique novelty identifiable with us embedded into it. Then, when we succeed in doing this, our audience won't have a choice but push for the effectiveness of the policy.

In essence, you can't force a customer to remain loyal to a product that refuses to refine - meanwhile its competitors are refining continuously. OLD Pancho Cy international work is needed and not just talk - and the whole industry must be fully involved in this work.


If nobi so, like we fit just continue di boil wa beans on top candle we!



cc: 𝑵𝒆𝒍𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝑳𝑶𝑴𝑼𝑫𝑬, Music Content Strategist

Pic: Blanche Bailly, Cameroonian Artiste

25/05/2022

Blanche Bailly has been nominated at The Headies Awards in the category of Best central African Artiste of The Year.
The Headies is Nigeria's most important music Awards.

This nomination coming at a time Blanche Bailly is just from doing a certified hit track with Nigeria's Joe Boy, speaks of the necessity of, and accolades international collaboration can bring to all Artistes at every given point.

She's paired alongside Fally Ipupa, Innoss B, Daddy, Calema and Soraia Ramos.

Congratulations to you Blanche.

24/05/2022

He just rounded up with his Cameroonian National Tour, and immediately, he's announced his Europe Tour.

Beginning this June, the SUMMER EUROPE TOUR 2022 will see Mr. Leo - Artist storm seven (7) European Cities while opened to more bookings.

The Lion Of Africa who was a headliner of the URBAN BLEND alongside Nigeria's 2BABA is making a statement which is shaping his legendary direction.

29/04/2022

21/03/2022

GOPHMEN announces the release of SILK - Fhishofficial's 1st posthumous project.

The Project as pointed out by the team, will be afrocentric, tackling issues of African domination by imperialists.
It'd also project the Black greatness.

Fhish was an Artiste in anode hands the industry could confidently place the future of Cameroonian Urban Music without fear.

He is gone but his legacy continues to impact the world.

He was supposed to be one of 's Headliners for the URBAN BLEND LIVE, Legendary Edition with 2BABA & Mr Leo.

Expect GREATNESS from this Album.

19/03/2022

2Baba Donates Multi-Million Naira Music Studio To OAU

"Legendary singer, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2baba has donated a music recording studio to the music department of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

The singer on Tuesday shared videos of the commissioning of the studio on his official social media handles.
He also shared videos of excited students signing the ‘Great Ife’ anthem and singing his praises, for the donation.

“I always wished I had music as a course in my days in secondary and tertiary schools. My goal is to build a recording studio in as many schools as I can.
“I want to use this medium to ask my entertainment industry/celebrity friends to do anything they can as well,” 2Baba said as he shared videos of the unveiling of the studio.
The school in return inducted him as a Fellow Of The School of Music."

2baba Idibia was the headliner for the Legendary Edition of the URBAN BLEND

11/03/2022

5 Cities, 9 Concerts - all LIVE. You're witnessing an epic dimension of the Lion Of Africa .

Dates to be announced soon.

Supported and Endorsed by

28/02/2022

***ns brought the special effect to

Their parade on the stage when was performing was a highly revealing moment of the true nature, uniqueness, beauty and magnificence that the African Woman possesses.


***n ***ns

28/02/2022

***ns brought the special effect to

Their parade on the stage when was performing was a highly revealing moment of the true nature, uniqueness, beauty and magnificence that the African Woman possesses.

28/02/2022

having a spiritual communication with his lead backup Singer on the stage, Douala-Cameroon.

We are writing a unifying story of African Greatness.


-

28/02/2022

You can't leave some people out when talking about - because the word represents their story in its entirety.

Today, we at celebrates a daring & fierce woman - highly ferocious with her goals. She is , the URBAN BLEND's CEO.

Her vision is permitting us write a unifying story of African greatness through and .

Bon Anniversaire Madame le President - a true Visionary.

28/02/2022

Our Nigerian Brothers came out in numbers to experience the grandeur and splendor that comes with the Nigerian and Cameroonian music blend - brought to you only by




#237🇨🇲

27/02/2022

27/02/2022

The magnificence and Ambiance that comes with URBAN BLEND is indescribable.

We are writing a new history of African Music & Events organization.
Belt up for the official announcement of the next edition.

26/02/2022

Gorgeous faces on the URBAN BLEND Black Carpet!

26/02/2022

Gorgeous faces on the Black Carpet.

26/02/2022

T Pana Wynchester on the Urban Blend Black Carpet!

26/02/2022

The URBAN BLEND 2022 MCs - the all-round Entertainer, TOX Da Entertainer & magnificent Renée Cynthia.

26/02/2022

When you got a super led stage by the #1 Events Producing Company, ICON Productions.

24/02/2022

International Dertsman DJ glowing in his Dark shades & tuxedo on the URBAN BLEND Black Carpet.

His impact in the Cameroonian music culture is visible and will go a long way to impact the game in this part of the world.

24/02/2022

The Forest Girl JATO Sonita looking magnificent on the URBAN BLEND Black Carpet.

She was so incredible opening up the show for 2baba Idibia Mr. Leo - Artist & Ewube Official. She paid hommage to Cameroon's fallen Heroes.

24/02/2022

MISS P of The Miss P Show glowing on the URBAN BLEND Black Carpet.

She's one of the most respectable Media Personalities in Central and West Africa.

24/02/2022

Pearl Louma (Daphne's Manager) in all glamour & grandeur on the URBAN BLEND Black Carpet.

24/02/2022

No event of a high caliber starts without a carpet reception/interview.

The young, smart and fluent Benoit BIRADZEM YUVEN of The HotJem acting in his capacity as Black Carpet Host, brought lumination and grandeur which added lots to the engagements that captured the perfect results for URBAN BLEND 2022.

He's incredible and his tenacious nature is already rooting & will root for him in both short and long terms.
Mc Yuvenity

17/02/2022

Grant's Whisky Cameroon, the URBAN BLEND's formidable Partner. You're a distinguished Brand, with the interest of the Cameroonian music culture at heart.

You joining us as our Official Partner, gave more meaning to the Brand that is Urban Blend & our overall vision, which is to unite and synchronize Africa's icons on one stage in Cameroon, for continental oneness & advancement.

Words can't appreciate you enough.

We believe you'd stay with us in subsequent editions, so together, we can build this Greatness.


MERCI BEAUCOUP!