05/06/2025
Are artists imitating King Luca or Rapnem
has a working formulaic beat pattern? 🤔
Listen to "Fragile", listen to "Orey", then listen to Asaba's "001". Check out Daphne's new song.
One thing you easily notice is the similar beat pattern.
Back in 2022, we published an article urging Cameroonian artists to embrace the "Shabasiko" vibe; a compelling fusion of "Assiko" and contemporary pop.
The call came after the genre's breakout success, driven by Phillbill’s release of "Shabasiko". Riding that momentum, he followed up with "La Clé", further pushing the subgenre forward.
The widespread affection for
"Shabasiko" among Cameroonian music lovers confirmed one thing: audiences were hungry for more.
Our article at the time argued that this hybrid sound had the potential to dominate national airwaves and even capture global attention. Unfortunately, Phillbill remained a lone pioneer; “the proverbial one hand trying to tie a bundle.”
Had more artists seized the moment and built on "Shabasiko's success, it could have evolved into a signature Cameroonian sound. Instead, we watched the opportunity fade; something our Nigerian counterparts rarely allow to happen.
In Nigeria, once a sound proves commercially viable, artists jump on it en masse. Take the "Pon Pon"wave, for instance;
Tekno, Runtown, and Davido all released tracks with nearly identical beat patterns. The result? A national soundscape that was instantly recognizable and easy for DJs to mix and promote.
Cameroonian music playlists, by contrast, often suffer from genre inconsistency, making them harder to promote. That seems to be changing.
In December 2024, producer Rapnem and artist King Luca introduced a fresh, captivating sound. "Fragile"; a hit from a newcomer, which is blended "Bikutsi", "Njang", and subtle elements of Hausa folk music, offering something distinctly Cameroonian yet universally appealing.
King Luca capitalized on the formula with "Orey", further refining the blend by incorporating "Lamnso", adding linguistic and cultural depth.
Rapnem, meanwhile, applied the same rhythmic DNA to Asaba’s "001", written by Kocee.
While the songs share similar beat structures, their chord progressions and arrangements preserve each track's individuality.
What sets this formula apart are the percussions, snares, hi-hats, and kick patterns. These components create a rhythmic identity and emotion, that are both consistent and adaptable.
Now, even Daphne has previewed a track echoing the same beat pattern, and listeners have taken notice.
This wave might just be the cohesive sound Cameroon has been waiting for; a shared rhythm that could unify artists and listeners alike, while carving a space for Cameroonian music on the global stage.
The pattern creates Cameroon's distinct sound and makes promotion easy. I will be sustainable if our artists personalize the sound by adding unique vocals, melodies, or regional languages (as King Luca did with Lamnso).
It won't be sustainable if everyone blindly copies the same beat, leading to oversaturation and listener fatigue.
Kudos to Rapnem
NexDim Empire
