The opening track from well-known Cameroon rapper Jovi Le Monstre’s most recent album has people talking. The three-minute track features a melodic beat and is very easy to like. Upon first listening, I enjoyed the track. I thought the mellow beat was a nice start to his album, while also getting straight to the point for what he and the people of Cameroon want for their country. I thought the song’s hook was an interesting choice, as it starts with the words “Love is blind./And you know it is,/ you no fi see miii”. I feel this hook sets the stage for the rest of the song and the following political message. 

Jovi is an artist who is known for the political commentary within his songs, so being able to witness it firsthand with this song was very inspiring. Throughout the rest of the song, he continues to rap on this same melodic and catchy beat while highlighting that he doesn’t hold debt with anyone. What I noticed immediately, however, was his commentary on prison conditions in the first six lines. Jovi’s advocation for prison reform is a telling of his desire for change for his home, and he knows it will only happen by raising awareness and making his voice heard. Jovi later mentions that he does not have any debt towards anyone, and he can live freely. This is a nod to Cameroon’s public debt, which was totaled to $21,263 million in 2021. This also becomes significant towards the end of the song.

For the outro of the song, he chose to place President Thomas Sanakra’s “Against Debt” speech from 1987. Considering Sankara is an icon in terms of Pan-Africanism and anti-imperialism, this is most certainly a critique of the current Cameroonian government and the ways food insecurity and other problems are still an ongoing issue within the current regime. With the current debt, it becomes more and more difficult to resolve the issues that prevent the betterment of the people in Cameroon, and while recognizing the privilege of his success, he highlights the flaws in the current government and their handling of the state. There are many issues that Jovi touches upon on this one track alone, all while creating a piece of work that is pleasing to the ear. I would recommend listening to this track, and I might even take a listen to the rest of the album to hear the rest of the messages he has in store for us as a political voice yearning for a better tomorrow for his country. A well-done track for Jovi Le Monstre.

To listen to the track with lyrics, please click this link: https://www.boomplay.com/lyrics/142358171