Global Africa: Queens of Cameroon: 20 Female Artists Who Defined the Last 15 Years

1

Libianca –

The Undisputed Queen –

Born in 2000 to Cameroonian parents in Minneapolis, she grew up in Bamenda. After The Voice USA, she exploded globally in 2023 with "People" – a raw song about mental health. It went Diamond in France, surpassing 827 million Spotify streams, making her the most-streamed Cameroonian female artist in history.

2

Vernyuy Tina –

The Afro Njang Queen –

Born April 17, 1996, in Cameroon's North West region, this rapper and vocalist started singing at age 8 and rapping at 13. Known as "Yungqueen" or "President of TINATION," she created her own genre called "Afro Njang." She rose to fame after featuring on Tzy Panchak's hit "Na So," which exposed her art across the continent.

3

Blanche Bailly –

The Digital Empress –

Born in 1995, she has dominated Cameroonian charts since her 2016 debut with hits like "Mimbayeur" and "Ton Pied, Mon Pied." She is the most-followed Cameroonian female musician on Instagram with 1.4 million followers and ranks among the top local artists on YouTube.

4

Daphné –

The Trailblazer –

Born in 1989 in Buea, she began her career in 2013 and gained international recognition in 2017 with "Calée" (over 10 million views). She won AFRIMMA's Best Female in Central Africa (2016) and made history winning four Canal 2'Or awards in 2019.

5

Charlotte Dipanda –

The Soulful Legend –

Born July 18, 1985, in Yaoundé, this Afro-jazz icon was discovered by Lokua Kanza. Her albums Mispa (2009), Dube L'am (2011), and Massa (2015) are classics. She was a judge on The Voice Afrique Francophone (2016) and is the respected "big sister" of Cameroonian music.

6

Mimie –

The Urban Powerhouse –

Born Mélanie Ngoga on January 11, 1991, in Douala, she started in film before music. Her 2016 hit "Dance Fi You" made her famous. She won Female Afro Urbain Artist at the Canal d'Or (2021) and now runs her own label, A.J Academy.

7

Reniss –

The Mboko Queen –

Known as the "Mboko Queen," she exploded onto the scene in 2016 with "La Sauce," the unofficial anthem for Cameroon's AFCON-winning Lions. She blends Afro-pop with traditional rhythms and urban swagger

8

Lady Ponce –

The Queen of Bikutsi –

Crowned the "Queen of Bikutsi," she has been a powerful torchbearer for the traditional genre since 2007, earning a national knighthood for keeping the Bikutsi flame alive on international stages.

9

Jato Sonita –

The Forest Girl –

Born in Binka village, Nkambe, she shot to fame at just 14 in 2021 with her viral cover of "Be Proud!" Known as "The Forest Girl," she leads The Forest Children Band, turning trauma from the Anglophone crisis into art while promoting African culture and environmental conservation.

10

Askia –

The Goddess of Rap –

Known as the "Goddess of Rap," she emerged around 2015 as a lyrical force championing female empowerment through hip-hop and pop artistry. She has inspired a new generation of female MCs with her sharp wordplay.

11

Tilla Tafari –

The Godmother of 237 Hip Hop

Known as the "Godmother of 237 Hip Hop," she rose in 2014 with "Alhadji" under Jovi's New Bell Music. Her raw, unapologetic lyrics about pain and survival earned her a devoted following. Though she stepped back to heal and raise her son, her legacy as a fearless female MC remains untouchable

12

Asaba –

The Choir Mistress –

Born Mary Asombang Asaba on July 7, 1992, in Muea, Buea, this singer-songwriter and professional nurse was raised by her mother. Nicknamed "Choir Mistress" in school, she signed with Starfish Entertainment in 2020 and released her debut EP Lighter in 2022, collaborating with Mr. Leo, Locko, and Kameni. She won Best Vocal Performance (Female) at the 2022 Urban Jamz Awards.

13

Krys M –

The Bend-Skin Fusionist –

Born Christelle Megne Noubissi in Yaoundé in 1995, she started with Mo Girls in 2013. Her solo career skyrocketed with the viral hit "Chacun sa Chance" (2022), earning her Best Female Voice at the Balafon Music Awards.

14

T'neeya –

The Afro-Soul Nomad –

Born Jennifer Tania Takoh in Douala and raised in Limbe, this German-Cameroonian Afro-soul/R&B artist moved to Berlin at 18 to study Fashion Design. She later signed to Aristokrat Records in Ghana in 2018, releasing singles "Low Battery," "Text Me," and "Joli." Her music blends English, French, Pidgin, makossa, soul, zouk, and Afrobeats. She has been nominated for an AFRIMA award and featured in Netflix's Afrobeats documentary.

15

Rinyu –

The Afro-Jazz Voice –

Ngah Rinyu, born February 8, 1997, in Koutaba, is an Afro-jazz singer with a uniquely soulful voice. Discovered by Akumba Music in 2018, she burst onto the scene in 2019 with tracks like "Where You Dey."

16

Naomi Achu –

The Queen of Bamenda –

Known as the "Queen of Bamenda," this rapper and singer wrote her first song "Smile" at age nine. Her breakout hit "Alhadji" (2011) was played on Big Brother Africa Season 8. She won Best Female Artist at the 2012 Cameroon Entertainment Awards and African Female Musician of the Year at the 2014 DMV African Entertainment Awards. She blends rap, R&B, and Afro-pop with English, French, and local dialects.

17

Kameni –

The Viral Virtuoso –

Kate Ebude Kameni, born March 9, 1993, in Bafang, started posting freestyles at 14. Her big break came in 2019 with a viral mashup video. She won Best Female Artist at the 2020 Balafon Awards, blending rap, hip-hop, and dancehall.

18

Gasha –

The Pioneer –

Gah-Ndo Ashuembom Amabo, born March 18, 1991, in Bamenda, burst onto the scene in 2013 with "Kaki Mbere." In 2014, she won AFRIMMA's Best Female Artist for Central Africa and later collaborated with Eddy Kenzo on "Chill."

19

Mani Bella –

The Bikutsi Boss –

The Bikutsi boss emerged in 2014 with "Pala Pala." She has been a dominant, outspoken figure championing traditional Cameroonian sound on international stages while advocating for female artists' rights.

20

Ewube –

The Dancehall Queen –

An Afropop and dancehall queen who started around 2013, she captivated audiences with her smooth voice and energetic style, instantly drawing comparisons for her unique presence and cross-genre appeal.

Precious

Queens of Cameroon: 20 Female Artists Who Defined the Last 15 Years

Libianca –

Vernyuy Tina –

Blanche Bailly –

Daphné –

Charlotte Dipanda –

Mimie –

Reniss –

Lady Ponce –

Jato Sonita –

Askia –

Tilla Tafari –

Asaba –

Krys M –

T'neeya –

Rinyu –

Naomi Achu –

Kameni –

Gasha –

Mani Bella –

Ewube –

Share Your Story

Kameni

Kameni

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Queens of Cameroon: 20 Female Artists Who Defined the Last 15 Years

Libianca –

Vernyuy Tina –

Blanche Bailly –

Daphné –

Charlotte Dipanda –

Mimie –

Reniss –

Lady Ponce –

Jato Sonita –

Askia –

Tilla Tafari –

Asaba –

Krys M –

T'neeya –

Rinyu –

Naomi Achu –

Kameni –

Gasha –

Mani Bella –

Ewube –

Share Your Story

Kameni

Kameni

Precious

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