Thread by @dibussi

Something different, something light to wrap up 2022. A thread on #Cameroon urban music with a focus on some popular and not so popular albums and EPs that caught my attention. Listed in no particular order. #music #Recap2022 #afrobeats

South Africa-based @iam_ajoh's EP, "Miracle" has been described as "a vibrant body of work” in which various musical genres “are seamlessly fused to create a unique soundscape of instrumentals & soulful lyricism." Check out hit song, Mr. Mago Mago music.apple.com/us/album/mirac… (1/25)

After numerous EPs, @awusingsong steps up his game with his first album that masterfully blends Makossa with Afrobeats, Soukouss, and other genres to produce what he describes as “Kosa-fusion.” music.apple.com/us/album/sound… (2/25

In this album @badGasha reminds us why she once ruled over the #Cameroon urban music scene. She may no longer have the huge following that earned her an AFRIMMA in 2014, but her talent is undiminished and her music as sultry as ever. boomplay.com/artists/192422 (3/25)

Toronto-based @Jbwai4’s "Certified" is a superb 4-track danceable EP with a very heavy Naija influence that does not take away from its superb. The feature song, Kalamity,has a place on any serious Afrobeat chart. boomplay.com/albums/50749795 (4/25)

.@najeme__'s debut EP has flown under the radar even though it is arguably one of the best releases of the year. A solid blend of Afropop, R&B & alternative, the EP is carried along by Najeme's silky voice, riveting falsetto, & storytelling skills. boomplay.com/albums/56012110 (5/25)

Posthumous albums are usually forgettable because they’re more about memory & less about music. @Fhishofficial3 socially conscious EP breaks the mold - a peek at what the musical scene lost with his untimely death in 2021. boomplay.com/albums/4293879…

The stars did in fact watch over @IamMicMonsta in 2022 with memorable collaborations and a much-acclaimed bestselling album that helped to mainstream Mboko Rap & which many consider the album of the year. music.apple.com/us/album/the-s… (7/25)

Kingsly-T skillfully blends Lamnso, Pidgin, English & French in this album to produce an urban sound anchored to Makossa, Soukouss & Zouk. boomplay.com/albums/50344703 (8/25)

In E-Mbowa, Mola Mongombe confirms his Afrojazz credentials as he incorporates other genres. He also releases Naliyomonganka, an EP that showcases the wide range of Bakweri traditional rhythms. boomplay.com/artists/302171… boomplay.com/albums/48143485 (9/25)

After her 2021 hit Mon Bebe, @AsabaOfficial returns with a highly anticipated afrosoul album in which she immerses the listener in a variety of genres and includes memorable duets with Mr. Leo, kameni, Cleo Grae among others. music.apple.com/us/album/light… (10/25)

Dark Light, @Mottanni's groundbreaking spoken word album, is a harmonious mélange of poetry & music/song, with guest appearances by Ayeah Leonette, Lois Ngek, @PenBoy237, etc. boomplay.com/songs/90114162 (11/25)

In Éngeleh Nye POH, singer, composer & producer @SangoEdi, one of the most underrated artists on the music scene, continues experimenting with Makossa-Fusion which is described as “a subtle pop sound weaved easily into a larger Makossa blanket.” music.apple.com/us/album/%C3%A… (12/25)

Co-produced by Sango Edi, Transition confirms @Mihney_Nelly as one of the leading female rappers. Her style is not gritty, hard-hitting and in-your-face as Askia’s but is more laid back and conversational. (13/25)

Rapper @TillaTafari's EP, Butterfly, draws from Reggae, Makossa & afrobeats and includes appearances by Magasco and Joe Pro. boomplay.com/albums/38182162 (14/25)

One of the most consistent artists in the last decade, this LP confirms @Tzypanchak’s status as a colossus on the urban music scene. Includes appearances by Longue Longue, Khoruz & Jubai, Dr. Sid, Ful CLeo Grae... boomplay.com/albums/49265106 (15/25)

Described as the intellectual of rap, @tinofoy's foray into music/rap is a surprise to many who know him solely from his writings on @PoiseSocial. "About Time" is actually a return to the roots for this socially conscious artist. boomplay.com/albums/53306663 (16/25)

I went searching for Tino Foy and discovered Drizz, a new rapper whose 5-track EP stands out thanks to its pulsating beats and the rapper's smooth delivery. boomplay.com/albums/55187994 (17/25) (17/25)

Genesis was the most anticipated album of the year & it lived up to the hype musically. Unfortunately, it was largely inaccessible to fans because @KOCofficiel shunned standard streaming platforms and opted for a clunky onlint platform that was not user-friendly. Alas! (18/25).

Henspiration, @hensBenga's debut EP was my favorite for 2022. A melodious Jazz, RnB and Makossa-infused EP made all the more sublime by Hens' vocal style that sets him apart from the crowd. boomplay.com/albums/45312332 (19/25)

In his debut album, @FulOfficiel delivers a stunning performance as he takes us on a beatiful musical promenade across genres from Afropop to R&B and Afrobeats. Includes guest appearances by Locko, Tenor, Magasco & Cysoul. Highly recommended! boomplay.com/albums/48593276 (20/25)

After a 30-track opus in 2019 & a slew of hit singles, @Magascobboy returns with Affection, an EP that captures his versatility; a touch of Afro-jazz here, a Zouk inspired song here & some memorable guest appearances. music.apple.com/us/album/affec… (21/25)

What happens when you merge sounds & rhythms from across Cameroon, undergird them with that unique Cameroonian urban beat & add a pinch of Soukouss & Jazz, and a dose of poetry? You get @LydolSlam's fascinating album, Hybride. music.apple.com/us/album/hybri… (22/25)

In this Jazzy/Afrobeat 3-track EP, @Magascobboy teams up with DJ Jeune Lio to explore what @donnieskillz describes as “the sentiments of a hopeless romantic, capturing the joys and tragedies of love that is as intentional as it is wild.” music.apple.com/us/album/love-… (23/25)

.@h3riq_damasta, the pioneer of “Neo Soul Makossa” had enough singles to make an album if he wanted to. His string of hits like “Bè Mbaki” show a way forward for Makossa if it wants to stay relevant to the new generation  (24/25)

.@LoicSumfor who burst on the scene in 2021 with "Maybe" did not have an album in 2022 but had hit songs & great collaborations to make him stand out. A rising star to watch out for. (25/25)

The End.

Happy New Year 2023!