Joe Dinga Pefok
8 November 2007
One of Cameroon's most famous musicians for many years running, Ekambi Brillant, on October 30 in Douala, launched activities to celebrate his 36 years in music.
Born in Dibombari in Mungo Division, Littoral Province, on June 18, 1948, Ekambi developed great interest in music at a very tender age. Bitten by the music bug, he dropped from high school at 19 and played with several bands in different bars in Douala.
The door to a lucrative professional career would open for Ekambi during a music competition for budding Cameroonian artists organised in Douala in 1970, by a French group, OSTS.
Cameroon's celebrated musician of all times, Manu Dibango, was one the members of the jury, and was so impressed with Ekambi's performance, which earned him (Ekambi) the golden opportunity to have his first album produced by the organisers of the competition.
This also gave him the opportunity to travel to France for the first time, since the music for the debut album had to be recorded in Paris.With Dibango in charge of arranging the music, it was not a surprise that the album which was released in early 1971, came with a big bang on the music scene in Cameroon, which had been inundated by music from Congo, Nigeria and Kenya.
Ekambi's first public performance was in Douala in April, 1971, shortly after he returned to the country. So high was the turnout that the venue could not contain more than half of the crowd that dying to see the Cameroonian star. Another music show had to be hastily scheduled on the same day.
Over the years, Ekambi composed and 'arranged' his own music, distinguishing himself as one of Cameroons slow music maestros.Ekambi, who lived in the US at one time, likes to be called 'Americain". He also enjoys speaking English with an American accent. He and Talla André Marie are in the group spearheaded by Tom Yoms that has been relentlessly fighting the Sam Mbende-led Cameroon Music Corporation, CMC.
Ekambi is also known as one of the most arrogant Cameroonian musicians till date. Ekambi's 36th anniversary celebration will end with a grand gala night on November 2, dubbed the Night of the Black Tie.
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