Get to Know Kengol DJ’s Cameroonian Drill Music
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Loading... - Alice Ankomah
- 06 Jun 2023
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Kengol DJ, also known as Magloire Noumedem, stepped into a realm of anguish when confronted with intense gazes emerging from the shadows of the infamous Central Prison of Douala. This place, resembling more of a fortified mini-city than a maximum-security correctional facility, thrust him into a world of suffering.
"Entering prison was just as you might envision—nowadays, it simply makes me chuckle," reflects Kengol. "Everyone was partially clothed, and the echoes of voices filled the air... it was truly terrifying." Kengol is a man driven by emotions. Throughout our encounter, which spanned over two hours, he didn't merely narrate his life experiences; instead, he vividly reenacted them. It transformed the interview into a captivating performance, with Kengol exposing his vulnerability. One moment, he passionately rapped his lyrics, his eyes wide open; the next, he poured his heart out through song, gesturing wildly as tears streamed down his face.
The 32-year-old musician's most recent single, "Ca Va Aller" (It's Gonna Be Ok), serves as his anthem of survival. It presents a unique fusion of Drill music, something Cameroon has never witnessed before. Kengol dubs this genre "Atalaku Drill," as he skillfully merges it with the vibrant rhythms of coupé-décalé. Released just this month under Jail Time Records, a label established within the confines of the prison to support and rehabilitate overlooked talents, the track breathes new life into the music scene.
Noumedem candidly admits that he had lost his way and succumbed to the streets, leading to his arrest on drug possession charges and subsequent six-month sentence. "Not many people find enlightenment behind those bars, but I began having visions. I could dedicate myself day and night to my music; my God-given talents were no longer wasted."
