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| Hermann Prince |
The upcoming CAMEE Awards which will take place on the 27th of December in Douala, Cameroon is sponsored by Eleganzza Entertainment. A company based in the USA. So I had a conversation with one of the co-founders of Eleganzza Entertainment; Hermann Prince and i realized that it was so insightful. He had so much to say about the Cameroonian Entertainment industry and how to make it boom, and so i decided to share our conversation with you guys.
Beta Tinz: Many of my followers don’t really know who you are so would you mind introducing yourself?
Hermann Prince: I go by the name of Hermann Prince, I am the CEO and Co-founder of Eleganzza Entertainment and Inspire Africa – IA. Two very great organizations that are focused on changing the entertainment industry by hunting and exposing real talent.
Beta Tinz: ok. So for how long have you been active in the show biz industry?
Hermann Prince: I have been in the industry for over 5 years now.
Beta Tinz: I know that you have worked with a lot of big names in the African Entertainment scene. Do you mind filling us in?
Hermann Prince:Yes. I have worked with a lot of big names in the industry. That is from Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Kenya; just to name a few. I would not mention any names for now hahaha!
Beta Tinz: So have you noticed any difference between the Cameroonian industry and that of other African countries? If yes, what are they?
Hermann Prince: Yes, there’s a slight difference and that is the fact that they are able to put their personal grudges against each other aside and work together.
Beta Tinz: So why do you think our industry is not playing a major role in the African entertainment scene yet?
Hermann Prince: I think everyone knows the answer to that. I am of the impression that we are, but not as we should be. Cameroon is a gifted nation with born talents. What hinders us at this point is of our own making. Like I said earlier, we don’t work together. It takes more than one to lead and the moment we realize our demise and work at it, then every impossible becomes possible. We are gradually getting support from locals and most importantly support from our families.
Beta Tinz: Do you think there’s anything we can do to turn the tables?
Hermann Prince: There’s a lot we can do if we want to lead. We can’t just take the back seat and enjoy being led. If you take a look you will see that other countries convert their talents into super stars. This starts from our own households. The moment our parents start accepting that dreaming to be an artist is not a child without a future or “useless child” and actually support them in realizing this dream, then tables will start turning. Also, most top ranked countries do this through the news, blogs, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other social media. A big way that these countries promote their stars is by appreciating their hard work via awards. For us to build something like theirs and perfect it, we have to follow them and make sure we don’t repeat the same mistakes they made. Superstars elsewhere make their people proud with their concerts, shows, awards and all the platforms where they perform in their country. In our own country, there’s a rumor going out that our top superstars don’t want to perform on their own home soil and I ask myself, ‘Then where do you want to perform if your own people can’t get a feel of your talent?’ Respect is a big factor in this industry. We don’t respect each other’s talent, we don’t think it’s okay for two people to do the same thing. We need to understand that we are different and have plenty of talent. Until we realize that and start supporting and appreciating each other’s talent, we will continue to be led.
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| Hermann Prince |
So that is how our conversation ended. It inspired me, hope it did inspire and motivate you too! As Hermann said we should be more proactive, we should not only sit and complain but we should actually get to work and start making things happen. All major impacts start with small efforts. Hermann is part of the team that has taken the initiative to organize the CAMEE Awards, to recompense our local arts that are making us proud. Hope you are voting for your favorite acts to win here:www.cameeawards.com don’t just sit at home and when somebody whom in your mind doesn’t deserve to win wins, you start throwing punches and saying negative things. Vote!! http://cameeawards.com/vote-now/