THE INAUGURAL SONNAH AWARDS: WINNERS,RED CARPET, FASHION, BUZZ &MORE....

So it finally happened.....

Event: The SONNAH Awards
Date: December 29th 2013
Venue: Hilton Hotel, Yaounde

On December 29th, Yaounde was buzzing and around the world people watched the live streamed event as the inaugural Sonnah Awards kicked off. Social media sites were buzzing and "Sonnah" definitely had its trend on!

Why Why Why???


About the Sonnah Awards

Established in 2013, The Cameroon Academy Awards under the SONNAH foundation is dedicated to the promotion, recognition and celebration of exceptional achievements in the Cameroon film, music,fashion, sports, television and digital media...

Read More About the SONNAH Awards Here

THE NOMINEES

THE WINNERS

Best Model : Valery Ayena
Best Designer : Kibonen NY.
Best supporting actress : Evelyne Kelly
Besr female Artist : Charlotte Dipanda
Best Supporting Actor : Alenne Menget
Best TV Presenter :Thiery Ngonga
Best screen play : Proxy Mbuh in the movie DECODED
Best gospel artist : Elisabeth Tekeh
Best male urban artist : Stanley Enow
Live Achievement Award for Culture : Anna Tutu Muna, Minister of Arts and culture 
Lifetime Achievement Award in radio and broadcasting : Peter Essoka
Lifetime Achievement Award for music : Ben Decca
Best Actress : Mbufung Seikeh 
Best female urban artist: Debra Debs
Best Pan African Actor/Actress (In Camer Movies): Van Vicker in  DECODED
Best Music video: Museba - Bom Bom Bom
Best Director: Victor Vinyo 
Best Footballer: Yukuda Kada
Best movie editor: Achile Brice
Best International football player:  Charles-Hubert Itandje



LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION...





And more....

Totally loving actress, Solange Yijika's whole look. Dress check, clutch check, Hair check

The Powerhouse - Penjo Baba of Penjo Entertainment & Julia Gham of JBLu. Outfits on point. Stay tuned for their new reality music show currently hitting the streets in Camer. "SingIt Cameroon"

 Mrs. A.A. totally rocking the red carpet in her multi print number. Anrette Ngafor Akinyele, Founder & Designer, Liiber London

This has to my  pick for best dressed guy of Sonnah 2013..Yellow suit with black trims and geeky glasses..on point!!

Give it up for Debra Debs...

Thank You Thank You

Drum Rolls for this boss lady right here. Eurykah Fon Ndumu. Joined the team late in the game and made a lasting impact. It is not easy organizing an event in pays so thumbs up..Feeling the swag..lol. CEO Event Planner thingz.lol, Asheri Event Planning & Design Services. 

Alene Menget & Agbor Gilbert

Miss Cameroon 2013, Valerie Ayena...Lovely!

OK Starboy, Stanley Enow..lol

Yayy...That's whats up...We did it

 OK Ladies..Okawa, Joan....

Looking the part in the traditional toghu attire...

 erhh erhh...Thank You, Thank You...

Decoded TV leading lady, Joan Ngomba looking elegant. Dressed by EB Creations 

 Akim Macauley & Stanley Enow..."Yeahh...Congrats"

 Steven's Records Singer, Gasha & Penjo

It's Ben Decca

Debra Debs & mum

My take on the SONNAH Awards. 

First Off. A big CONGRATULATIONS to Akim Macauley  for his vision and to everyone who participated in making it a reality. It is a GREAT first step. For the first time in Cameroon (I dare say?) people were recognized and celebrated and witnessed by soo many people around the globe.

R & R (Review & Rant)

We have to build our own "Celebrity Culture". If you want to get known and recognized, you need to put yourself out there! The Sonnah Awards is a great start! 

Excellent initiative but execution...hmmm. It is not easy to start something and not an award show for that matter. I applaud everyone involved. With team work and more collaboration it can only get better.

It seems there is a "Dichotomy" in the entertainment industry 'cause it felt more like watching the Cameroon "Anglophone" entertainment awards..Sorry may be I just feel bad that artists that I expected to be nominated weren't but I am sure you get the drift.

There is a need for more private sponsorship in Cameroonian Entertainment industry as a whole. It can only make things better.

On Fashion...Some of the attendants were very much on point!Our celebrities need to focus on building their brand...Styling & public speaking are key. Get a stylist already. We have so many designers. Support our Camer designers.. I will leave it at that or else I can go on and on!

Mix Up on Awards?? Only in Camer!

Presenters, Presenters, Presenters...Please please and please.We need people who are eloquent, can rock the red carpet and ignite a crowd. This one was one my pet peeves about this event. Better female presenters and MC please. I can already think of a couple...

Do we need more award categories..I would say Yes and No...No because it's a start. and Yes to recognize more people..It's up to the academy oh!

Pre-award party - Social/Networking events??  Next time..Oh Yes. this is an excellent opportunity for private sponsors to create buzz

Location & Venue
I am not sure if that was the ideal venue for the event. An event planner can only work with what they have. A more flexible space will be better ...To another city may be? Anyone say Limbe? TOL (Thinking out Loud)

PPP and more P: Pictures, PR, People, Packaging, Presentation....
It's almost 3 weeks since the said event and still no official pictures?? There is a great need to have PR for an event of this magnitude..Their role cannot be overemphasized..Having the right people, proper packaging & presentation are what make an event. 

OK people, that's my take on the SONNAH Awards..I hope more celebrities attend subsequent editions to be recognized. Thumbs up to Akim Macauley & team!

Pictures Courtesy of Facebookers!

Long Live the SONNAH Awards!!

Y.M.
IRepCamer

MUSIC THURSDAY: TEAM +237...REPPIN'

Hello people...It's another Music Thursday..I think 2014 will another great year for Camer Music.  From Buea to Douala to London to New York to Houston..+237 is reppin'

Enjoy...


Daphne - Get There
Buea Based record label, No Hitz No Records is on a roll



Ama Fru ft Myllo - Ahead Ahead

OK guys..All I can say is London boys preppy look!Bamenda boyz rock...lol



Supaval - Jehovah Leh
Currently rocking this Franco Record's artist' "New Beginning" gospel album. "Jehovah Leh ehhh...".Now available on amazon.com here and iTunes here




Mboa Mix Tape Vol 2
If you haven't checked out one of the trending music blogs out of Camer then you are on a very long thing...lol! Mboa Urban Music




Zayox ft Edel & Venum - Bangando Star
Na really Bangando star..lol!Love it




Inorie Fotso - Tonight 
Check out the New York based pop singer's debut single



West Don ft Terry G - Bend Over
OK...Camer Naija dance hall colllabo




MaahLox Le Vibeur - Arretez Brenda
OK This Maahlox guy is something else...LOL "Arretez Brenda". He is back again after releasing the first single "Le Biere c'est combien"...I call it "activist music". Hopefully there will be  tracks with awareness and sensitization messages on issues in our society!  



OK people...just one more day and it's the weekend..Enjoy..And spread the Camer music cheers.

Y.M.
IRepCamer

YM's MT & R: "BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL"

Introducing MT & R (Musings, Thoughts &Rants) features. The goal of these posts are  tohighlight hot topics,raise awareness on  issues and sometimes just my thoughts and rants on places,faces, spaces, trends, technology etc...In the spirit of...

Recently the trending Hot Topic seems to be what I choose to call the case of "Black or Fair" (after Penjo's titled documentary film on Skin Colour) #BlackisBeautiful#

After watching this documentary film and reading a recent article on Emmy Collins' blog, I was curious about how much sensitization there is against bleaching!Then I came across an Ad on Bella Naija and shared the link on Facebook. 


Research 101..lol
In as much as I am NOT a fan of bleaching but I admire the lady's hustle (from business prowess stand point) (Click here for Feature)!I was "shot" for saying that. As sad and cliche as it sounds there is a market for these products because people buy them. This sparked up an insightful debate..The best way to spur discussion is through controversy (as per moi, i like palava..lol)..and I got more than expected because it was a hot debate..See FB post and Comments Here. A big Thank you to everyone who contributed in this discussion!

The discussion revealed very divergent opinions and brought up some very interesting points which I will try my best to summarize

Morality? Right vs. Wrong
There seemed to be 2 or more camps. One one hand i was shot for "admiring" a hustle of someone who sold such products and saying "people need it". "Skin Bleaching is  just wrong" and should not be supported. On the other, to everyone their own. It is part of the aesthetic look.."Why is bleaching a lesser evil than putting hair extensions"..lol. The debate start hot..

Aesthetics & Beauty Enhancement
Like I said it become hot..
" Wow - are we really comparing the effects of using unprescribed hydroquinone and other corticosteriods on the skin" to weaves. "Wow..wearing wigs and using chemicals are now the same?"...On the other hand..Smokers know smoking kills and hair relaxers cause damage but people still use them.  

"which one is the lesser evil - skin bleaching, nail extensions, hair extensions, hair 
relaxing, make up etc etc - these are beauty enhancers and in one way or the other have 
adverse reactions to the natural and to the body - why all man di over condemn bleaching
while they sit there w monstrous wigs is my big question. all of these is our own way of
covering what we think is not perfect and enhancing what we want to be seen as beautiful
or perfect. i think the skin bleaching drama is overrated coz in as much as there are many
more thinks equally linked i believe there are many more thgs we need to focus on for a better world that be quick to be judgmental.."
It got very interesting to say the least! In the quest to look good everything is possible.

On the Religious angle..
"For the record I think bleaching is a sin, to tamper with God's perfect innovation aka melanin and willfully endanger yourself and bring stress to loved ones..." gbam.

"By the way, who is talking about judging. hmm. If you don't judge someone for bleaching their skin, you will judge them for relaxing their hair, wearing make up or something. The bible says we shouldn't judge but humans are very judgmental people. Everyone judges. That's the truth"

The Perception of Light skin in our society 
There seems to be a perception that light skin is "better". To me that is a whole lot of BS. In some African tribes, Light skinned women get high bride price..When I listened to the fair lady in the "Black or Fair" documentary talk about the "Advantages" of having light skin. I was like seriously? Sorry to say but I thought someone saying that a lady got a job because they were fairer than another person is just plain shallow..and a host of others!! I don't know if the media helps this case. We need more #blackenicious models in ads and on TV!

Isn't she amazing? 

Why do People Bleach?
So I asked why do people bleach? To summarize: self esteem issues, mentality of superiority resulting from slavery, the quest to conform and enhance beauty, the perception of "fair" being better...

 "Marj is right about self esteem but where did that come from. Think lighter skinned slaves in America enjoying privileges by working in the 'big house.' so light became 'superior.' Till today, lighter skinned people are still afforded such opps in America and the Caribbean. In fact some families even treat fairer kids better! so weti be we excuse for Africa? a colonial experience and an encounter with people who saw a market to milk. think of how black and white have been portrayed in the media for a long time and the pieces of the puzzle begin to assemble. so is it any wonder that some people fall for the 'light is alright' message? take away the artificial superiority of lightness or should i say uplift genuine diversity and we'll solve this problem. people need to educate their children not to fall for these cons. oh! i must add ignorance too doesn't help. i'm sure many would think twice if they understood the threat of substances such mercury, hydroquinone and steroids, which are often in bleaching creams"

"The issue of this convo was not even about who bleaches and who doesnt and whether it is right or wrong. I believe the issue of this convo started from when comments about "admiring" the "hustle" of the Whitenicious creator were made. Now if we should to tackle the "root" of this matter as Ngums rightly said, how can we then encourage people to go ahead and create such "creams" because there is a "market" for it. It is better to take a stance and stick to it period. There is a market for Paedophilia and Child Pornography, I am sure we will not be "admiring" the "hustle" of those who engage in such activities for business gain or pleasure. Again to each their own"

"...Anyways, my comments are simply because i look at everything from a spiritual point of view. Forgetting about the actual root of this conversation which related to the "hustle" of selling creams, i think we should all focus on the reasons why people do things. Yes bleaching may be hurtful to the skin, but Yef asked a valid point, why do people bleach? I think I read somewhere that Micheal Jackson had a skin disease right? Unfortunately he was not confident enough that people would love him the way he was and knowing that image was most important in his line of work, he tried to turn white..."

More  insights on the "Different shades of Black"
http://aml2600-heleftyouforawhat.blogspot.com/2011/02/different-shade-of-black.html
http://blackstudies101ccny.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-beautiful-shades-of-black.html

A) Not all black people look alike (& anyone who still thinks that after viewing this photo is stupid)
  B) Black people come in all different shades & skin tones…

 Picture and quote from Cherry Ambition


The sensitization against bleaching agents has to involve everyone. Women cannot go around thinking that men prefer women with lighter skin. Men bleach too.Same deal.But as per one of my friends.."Women bleach for Women"...to outdo each other as usual. hahaha



Bleaching agents 101

Bleaching is BAD for the Skin. Period to the nth factorial!

The main ingredient of skin lightening products is hydroquinone. 

From WebMD 

Other skin lighteners use drugs such as steroids and retinoic acid, which comes from vitamin A, as active ingredients. And some skin lighteners use natural ingredients such as kojic acid -- a compound that comes from a fungus -- and arbutin, a compound found in various plants

Risks of Skin Lighteners
One of the most significant risks of using some skin lighteners is the potential exposure to mercury. One study found that nearly 1 out of every 4 skin lighteners made in Asia and sold in the U.S. contained mercury.

There are other potential risks of skin lighteners. Those risks can include the following:

• Prolonged use can contribute to premature aging of skin. 
• Long-term use may increase the risk of  from sun exposure. 
• Always use  sunscreen when using a skin lightener and going out in the sun.
• Steroids in some skin lighteners may increase risk for skin infections, skin thinning, acne, and poor wound healing
• Applying steroids to large areas of skin may put you at risk for health problems related to steroid being absorbed by the body. 
• Hydroquinone may cause unwanted and untreatable skin discoloration. 
• Various bleaching agents, including natural ingredients, can cause skin irritation or allergic reaction.

http://www.skinwhiteningscience.com/top_skin_whitening_agents_top_20_hydroquinone.html

http://www.webmd.com/beauty/face/skin-lightening-products

The Black or Fair Documentary by Penjo Entertainment



I applaud Penjo Entertainment and love the concept of the video! I hope there is a follow up . There is a need to emphasize on self esteem and loving yourself as you are.A panel discussion will be great!


"Fifty Shades Of Black"on The Tiwa Savage & Banky W. show! 




 I will conclude with childhood memory which my mum reminds me about often. When my younger sister who looks like my dad and is very fair was born, He and many others were ecstatic. I felt so bad that I asked my mum whom I look like..And she said "you look like me"..and told me how beautiful I was...I was just 5 years old. Grateful to my mum for what was probably one of  my first lessons in "Self Esteem" . These messages need to be reinforced to children on a constant basis. I have a lot of respect for parents raising kids these days in a more sophisticated world especially in the west.


Love Yourself. Black is Beautiful. #Blackenicious and proud. To Everyone their own!

Pictures courtesy of Facebookers (don't just love FB..lol)

On that note it's a wrap.  Have your say....

Have a nice weekend.

Y.M.
IRepCamer

MUSIC THURSDAY: INTRODUCING CIANA MMPR's FIRST FEMALE ARTIST

Hello people..First post, First Music Thursday of 2014!! 2013 was a great year for Camer entertainment..This is theyear of "Stepping it Up". I am excited because I know  people are working in the background to make things happen! So T-H-I-N-K!

Drum Rolls.....Introducing ModeMaison PR's first female artist, CIANA

She gave a thrilling first performance to a large crowd last month during the Stanley Enow Orangina sponsored concert at Parcours Vita in Douala, her name is CIANA and she is the new and first ever female music artist to be signed under ModeMaison PR’s books.

CIANA, Caroline Jabe Takon is a Buea based rap artist and singer in her 20’s currently signed under No Hitz No Recordz with an enormous talent and a unique style which is sure to put on the top of the female rapper charts in the country.

CIANA kicked off her music career first as a songwriter before joining an all male rap group although shortlived but enabled her to embark on a solo journey.
.
In 2010, CIANA started writing and rapping to her own songs thereby enabling her to join an all male rap group called “Big Boy Game.”  She then set out on a her solo journey sharpening her rapping skills and building her popularity. In the same year, she caught the attention of music label Trackzone Records on which she had the opportunity to attend and perform on various music shows which included the “12-12-12” – the biggest ever showcase in Buea.
In 2013, she was signed under the Buea based record label No Hitz No Recordz where
she released her first single entitled “Bangwa Sense”

Music for CIANA is an inborn passion which she responded to from a tender age by
singing in a Christian choir and enjoying the calmness and liberation it gave her.
Her admiration for artists such as Beyoncé, Foxxy Brown, Phyno, MI gave her the zeal and motivation to want to pursue a music career.





 5 interesting things to know about her…
1) She loves art as well as interior/space decoration.
2) Her favourite colour is blue (check out her logo!) just like the sky!
3) Her passion for dancing was manifested wholly when she joined a hip hop dance crew.
4) Her best features are her dimples, waist and legs.
5) She is currently studying Geology at the University of Buea.

CONTACT
Email: mmprcamer@gmail.com
PR Twitter: @ModeMaisonPR
Ciana Twitter: @bestciana
Label Twitter:@NHRent
Ciana Manager Twitter:@PrinceEnobi

This is CIANA......

Credits:
Dressed by Nakuin
MUA: Bih Youty
Styled by ModeMaison PR
Ciana logo designed by ADE of Akinyele Designs 

Love her already!!Looking forward to more of her music and lovely style. Support an up and coming artist!

Enjoy the rest of the week...

Y.M.
IRepCamer