Urban music and identity: Cameroonian artists reclaim cultural roots

By Synthia Lateu

A wave of originality is sweeping through Cameroon’s urban music scene, as more artists turn to traditional sounds to create something distinctly local. Drawing inspiration from rhythms like Makossa, Bensikin, and Bikutsi, this new generation is crafting fresh, culturally grounded sounds that help them stand out in a saturated market.
According to cultural advocate,Joseph Marie Debalois, this artistic shift is much more than a trend. It’s a cultural awakening.
“It’s a sort of mental renaissance, like what we saw in the 1970s with the ‘Black is Beautiful’ movement in the U.S. Africans abroad began reconnecting with their roots, through fashion, music, and culture. We may listen to foreign music, but it’s when we hear Makossa or Bensikin that we truly recognize ourselves.” He stated.
This return to cultural roots is also bringing attention back to forgotten musical legends who once made generations dance. As young artists blend the old with the new, Cameroonian music is gaining ground internationally, exporting local sounds to wider audiences.
Media professional Yvan Ango sees this evolution as vital to both heritage and innovation:
“It’s a positive move, and I hope it continues. We are Africans connecting with those who came before us. It builds bridges between generations and strengthens the music industry.”
Cultural promoter, Paola Yoko, highlights the strategic value of the movement:
“It helps reposition our music, both at home and abroad. We were once getting lost in borrowed sounds. Now, we’re reclaiming space by exporting local music that’s just as enjoyable. It’s a cultural strategy.”
But this isn’t nostalgia, it’s reinvention. These reimagined sounds aren’t mere replicas of the past. They’re transformed through modern production, fresh storytelling, and new technology.
“They’ve evolved with technology,” adds Debalois. “Today’s music can’t be exactly like before. The tools, the writing process, the ideas have all changed and it shows in the final product.”
Artists like Krys M, Cysoul, Ella N’aï, Salatiel, Seppo, Phillbill, and Locko are leading this movement, infusing urban music with a uniquely Cameroonian flavour.
As Cameroon joins the world in celebrating World Music Day this June 21, the nation can take pride in a generation of artists breathing new life into timeless rhythms blending tradition and innovation, and taking local culture beyond borders.