Cameroonian rising artiste RENEMBAH is proving that talent, determination, and creativity can still shine even without perfect conditions. Born Kum Rene Mbah and based in Buea in Cameroon’s South West Region, the Afro-fusion newcomer is gradually building his name through raw freestyles, self-belief, and a growing passion for music that started long before he ever entered a studio.
Growing up in the village, RENEMBAH says music became part of his life early on. His journey later took him from Compina, where he attended primary school, to Yaoundé, but life was far from easy.
“Life was tough, at one point I didn’t have a phone, but the passion for music never left me,” he shared.
Outside music, RENEMBAH describes himself as calm, creative, and hands-on. He studied Building Construction, but music has now become his primary focus as he works toward building a career in Afrobeat and Afro-fusion.
Interestingly, the artiste only began pursuing music professionally about two months ago after discovering the Voloco app. What started as simple freestyles and recordings on his phone quickly turned into something more serious.
“Voloco showed me I could do it myself,” he explained, adding that Cameroonian rapper Cloe Grea heavily inspired him during the early stages of his journey.
RENEMBAH’s sound blends Afrobeat and Afro-fusion with freestyle-driven energy. Rather than carefully scripting every line from the start, he allows creativity to flow naturally before shaping the ideas into complete songs.
“I start from freestyle and turn it into a song,” he said.
His music reflects themes of hustle, resilience, and self-belief. According to him, the goal is to inspire listeners who may also be starting from difficult circumstances.
“My music is about hustle, belief, and staying creative with little,” he stated.
The artiste recently released his latest single, “This One Na Love,” now available on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Audiomack, with Spotify expected soon.
The record marks a major milestone for him because it was his first proper studio experience after previously relying on phone recordings and the Voloco app. The song was recorded with producer EHZ-kAY in Buea, an experience RENEMBAH says changed his entire approach to music.
“I was scared, but he believed in me, pushed me to freestyle, and changed how I approach music,” he recalled.
EHZ-kAY handled the production, mixing, and mastering of the track while RENEMBAH wrote and performed the song himself. Though there were no official collaborations on the final record, he says the support from his close friends during the session helped ease his nerves.
“One did a freestyle that broke the ice,” he said while reflecting on the studio atmosphere.
For RENEMBAH, “This One Na Love” carries a deeper meaning beyond romance or entertainment. The title represents his relationship with music itself and the sacrifices behind the journey.
“‘This One Na Love’ is about the love I have for music and the process, even when it was hard,” he explained.
The road has not been smooth. The artiste openly admits he faced financial struggles, lacked access to proper equipment, and even battled fear during his first studio session.
“I was broke when recording ‘This One Na Love,’ but Ehz-Kay helped me out. I gave what I had and we made it work,” he shared.
Despite the challenges, hearing the final version of the song and watching people stream it became one of the proudest moments of his life so far.
“Hearing ‘This One Na Love’ come out clean and seeing it streaming” motivated him to keep pushing, especially after encouragement from friends who constantly remind him that “your future is bright.”
RENEMBAH also believes Cameroon’s music industry is evolving, though independent artistes still face major obstacles without financial backing or industry connections. However, he says platforms like TikTok and Voloco are creating opportunities for emerging talent.
He hopes to see more affordable studios and producers willing to support upcoming artistes, particularly musicians from Buea and other Anglophone regions of Cameroon.
Looking ahead, RENEMBAH dreams of collaborating with artistes such as Ko-c, Cloe Grea, Mr Leo, and Zambian rapper Styve Ace as he continues developing his catalog and expanding his audience.
In five years, he sees himself representing both Buea and Cameroon on a bigger stage through Afro music.
For young artistes trying to find their footing, his advice is simple and honest:
“Use what you have. Start with a phone. Learn on YouTube. Don’t wait for perfect conditions.”
As his journey continues, RENEMBAH wants listeners to remember one thing about him:
“I’m self-made. Built everything from Voloco on my phone to a real studio record. I’m not stopping.”
