Douala: Orange Cameroun launches music contest for young talents.

Officials said the contest falls in line with the telecom company's zeal to celebrate music geniuses and leave a lasting legacy for the country’s cultural heritage. 

Orange Cameroun Events and Sponsoring Expert, Robert Ekotto, detailed that the project is a rebrand of the Orange Music Legend Program which revisited the works of legends. Ekotto said it will give young people with interest in music the opportunity to shine. 

"It is a program by the Orange Group implemented everywhere Orange is found…The Group, through such unique initiatives grants a chance to all countries to showcase their talents," he said 

Ekotto said Orange will be supporting Cameroonian singers from beginners to those who are established in the industry irrespective of their musical genre be it Makossa, Bikutsi, Mbolé, or rap.

It should be noted that, for 25 years, Orange Cameroun has been promoting Cameroonian talent and local culture. Officials said the company’s passion for Cameroonian music is constantly being renewed to adapt to changes in society.

Four renowned artists with careers spanning between 40 and 10 years have been selected to scout the country for the next generation of artists. These include; Ben Decca, Elvis Kemayo, Sandrine Nnanga and Locko. 

"We are here to give a chance to young generation especially to those who will succeed in this competition," Kemayo declared.

For Ben Decca, it is privilege to have been chosen to be amongst the talent scouts. He promised to be "open the way to the youth so that tomorrow they will succeed as others did for me when I started”.

He added that “they are even lucky that during their time, there is television and social media to assist them flourish. We didn't have that, and we are here today to give them what we have”. 

Locko on his part, urged the selected participants to believe in their dreams and dare to be original in their style. 

It was revealed that so far 30 participants shortlisted for the contest were selected from 2,000 applicants from all over Cameroon. 

The 30 retained aged between 18-35 years, it was said, will be auditioned and 10 will get into the talent house with the legends for proper coaching. 

After several weeks of coaching with the music legends, officials said they will have the chance to produce an album, a video clip and benefit one-year exceptional promotion with Orange Cameroun and its media partners.

The winner of the competition it was said, will bag home FCFA 3,000 000 and have coaches put at his/her disposal. The competition, it was said, will start during the youth week in February next year.

Orange Cameroun officials said the Group has proven over the years to be a major contributor to the country's socio-economic development, as well as in the promotion of Cameroonian culture and traditions. 

They cited the Company’s support for traditional events and major music fiestas such as the Makossa Festival, the Bikutsi Festival, the Sahel Music Festival, the Dschang Arts and Music Festival and DOMAF.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3493 of Friday July 04, 2025