For contributions to arts, culture: Minister Bidoung Mkpatt lauds artiste, André-Marie Tala, offers technical support.

He also promised his ministry’s technical support as the artiste prepares to celebrate 55 years in the entertainment industry in Cameroon. 

This was during an audience Minister Mkpatt granted the artiste recently in Yaounde. Speaking at the event, the Minister expressed gratitude to the artiste for all he has done and is doing to promote and export Cameroonian traditional music.

“Mr. André-Marie Tala you are a national star. For over five decades, you have made music that has not only entertained Cameroonians but crossed our national and continental borders. You can always count on the technical support of the Ministry as you continue to entertain us with your music,” Minister Mkpatt said.

On his part, the artiste thanked the Minister for the warm welcome and appreciated his offer to support him as he fetes 55 years in the music industry.

André-Marie Tala also seized the opportunity to call on the government to continue to support artistes, especially young artistes, as he explained that the music industry can sometimes be challenging. 

“In two months I will be celebrating 55 years of career at the Yaounde conference centre. As part of the celebration, I will commune with young artistes and share with them my experiences and the difficulties I had. I want them to know that despite the challenges in entertainment, we can still make it,” Tala underscored. 

He further called on young artistes to be proud of singing Cameroonian music and use it as a medium to pass on to the public the values of peace, love and living together.

“Throughout my career, I have used my songs to entertain, and also to pass on valuable messages to the public. I have sang on love, national unity and integration, spotlighted issues like tribalism and corruption, in a bid to curb the cankerworm,” the artiste said, adding that “united we are stronger and should learn to live together despite our differences”.

Tala continued by telling young artistes to, however, be patient because reputable careers such as his are built with time and consistency.

“I want young musicians to know it is possible to succeed in Cameroon. It is not easy as the beginning will be difficult but with hard work and good music, you can make it,” the artiste stated.

Speaking to the press, André-Marie Tala revealed that he has been composing since he was 18 years old. He said commemorative activities to mark his 55 years of entertainment will include a press conference, a sports walk, master class, and training workshops with up and coming artistes.

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue N0:3197 of Monday August 12, 2024