Njohreur

Born March 4, 1974 in Douala, Cameroon, Francois Victor Njoh a.k.a. Njohreur  (Mba-Nu Tiger) began in music when he joined the Music Club at Bonabéri High School, where in 1984 he was awarded the prize for "Best School Singer" by Joe Mboulé, the great Cameroon star of the moment. Two years later, he is director of the high school orchestra, a function that will occupy during 3 years. Convinced of his talent, Njohreur decided to make music his job. Thus begins the artistic adventure of the young Francis Victor Njoh. He starts performing in the cabarets from Douala by covering the repertoires of the most famous artists of the time, such as Eboa Lotin, Douleur, Guy Lobé and Hoigen Ekwalla, to mention a few.

In 1994, Petit Pays called on him to join his group, Les Sans Visas as chorist and animateur. Together with Jojo Moussio and Samy Diko he forms a trio called The Dignitaries. With Petit Pays they record Korta (Les dignitaries) a cd of which thousands were sold in French West Africa. This success led to many concerts across Africa and a national tour in Cameroon. The same year, the band won the Best African Group award at the Consty Eka Awards in Libreville, Gabon.

♫ Clip: 2019 Zingué Tututu (hommage à Petit Pays)

In 1996 Njohreur was invited by Kotto Bass to participate in the Cameroon Stars 2000 album which was released by Aladji Toure. On this album several promising Makossa vocalists covered classics from artists such as J.R.Nelson, Moni Bile, Pierre Didy Tchakounte and Pierre de Moussy. In this year Njohreur also left Les Dignitaries to form a duo with his fellow singer Sergeo Polo. The new duo creates a new dance craze with their Makossa-Zingue style, which combines Makossa with the popular Congolese Ndombolo. Due to  this success their album Le mari d'autrie is chosen as the best Makossa record of 1997 and the duo itself as the revelation of 1997. The cooperation with Sergeo Polo didn't last long, but in 1998 Njohreur continued his success with the acclaimed first solo album Ka-Byla: Zingue came no go.

♫ Audio: 1997 Njohreur & Sergeo Polo – Le Marie d’Autrie

 

♫ Audio: 1998 Ka - Byla

 After Ka Byla he releases new albums - always at intervals of a few years - that are doing well: Mbukutu (2001), Harmattan (2003), Mulemba (2007), Statut pas 2 (2009) and Ça donne (2013).

  

♫ Clip: 2013 Ca Donne

 

In 2014 Njohreur launches The 12th Player, a musical project to gain maximum support for The Indomitable Lions, who have qualified successful for the upcoming World Cup in Brazil. The campaign comprises of a jersey (green and yellow) sold at CFA 5000 and an audio maxi single with three different versions. Several musicians collaborated in the compositions under the patronage of Petit Pays. “The 12th player” refers to Cameroonians of all works of life. We should come out in our numbers to support the Lions, irrespective of our origins. Let us wipe out the spirit of division among supporters, because some players are encouraged while others are usually neglected,” Njohreur explained. After this project Njohreur continued to work on his new album and in december 2014 he launched the titletrack of his forthcoming album Les complexés.

 

♫ Video : 2013 The making of Les Complexés

 

♫ Clip: 2014 Les Complexés

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