CYNTHIA TABE UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL. (KAMER ENTERTAINMENT INSIGHT)

Over the weekend i had the pleasure of interviewing the CEO of ModeMaison PR and we had a rather interesting time talking about the entertainment industry. Cynthia Tabe has worked with a lot of people in the Industry and she had quite some things to say about it although i personally feel they were "smart" answers. Have fun reading and feel free to leave your input on the matters discussed  in the comment box below.   


Aboki
First up thank you for granting this interview...

Cynthia Tabe

Thanks for asking me. I appreciate it.

Aboki

Can you briefly introduce yourself to those who don’t know you?

Cynthia Tabe

My name is Cynthia Tabe, I am originally from the South West Province - Manyu to be precise. I grew up in Nigeria and then in Cameroon where I lived in Yaoundé before moving to London 20 years ago. Most know me as the fashion/music/lifestyle loving PR girl behind ModeMaison PR. I also blog at Dulce Camer.

Aboki

I know many people already know about ModeMaison PR and Dulce Camer so pardon me if l skip the pleasantries and go to more direct questions.

Cynthia Tabe

Sure. Go right ahead.

Aboki

What relationship did you have with MuMak?

Cynthia Tabe

I handled the MuMaK communication which included the communication for the label as well as for all the artists under the label.

Aboki

Do you still represent them?

Cynthia Tabe

Unfortunately, I no longer do.

Aboki

You released a public statement after the Jovi/Jules bromance ended but it never really specified what happened. How do close friends wake up in the morning and decide to go separate ways? It is only fair that the public thinks that there is more than the eye meets.

Cynthia Tabe

Well whatever took place was as it was. They decided to move on and work on separate projects which on hindsight have not been bad at all for the Cameroon music scene. We are still getting music from both parties...anything else is irrelevant to us. They still seem to support each other which shows a sign of friendship. 

Aboki

Spoken like a true PR and quiet honestly it translates into I am not going to spill. I have to respect your professional stand though.

Cynthia Tabe

Haaahaaa!! No! To be honest, I have no real clue about what happened so I cannot speculate. For me to be able to properly comment I should have had the real story from both but they did not talk about it much.

Aboki

Did the split affect your relationship with the both parties and lead to the dissolution of that relationship?

Cynthia Tabe

No not at all. I am a professional and I was also a friend to both. I cannot enter 2 people's matter like that. They themselves still have their friendship so who am I to let it affect my side?

Aboki

In other words you did not take sides. I am no expert on the Mumak relationship but I think the public has seen you collaborating with Jules often and less with Jovi. One may say you respected Jules’ decision better

Cynthia Tabe

I did not take sides and was actually open to working with both. At one point I was even discussing image branding for a Reniss video with Jovi. So you see, I had no ill feeling towards anyone. My services are very much needed in our growing industry and I would work with anyone as long as they are professional and strife to succeed.

Aboki

What is the relationship between Denzyl, Mumak and ModeMaison PR?

Cynthia Tabe

There isn’t one at the moment. I used to help Denzyl with his releases and I already told you about MuMaK.

Aboki

So in other words you don’t represent him (Denzyl).

Cynthia Tabe

No I don’t. ModeMaison PR doesn’t.

Aboki

Why a South African on the Hein Pere Remix?

Cynthia Tabe

Lol! I am a PR girl not Stanley's manager nor A&R rep!!

Aboki

As a fan what would you say?

Cynthia Tabe

As a fan Cameroonian music must transcend beyond the Cameroon borders. If we are to compete with the rest, we must make partnerships.

Aboki

Do you think that strategy worked?

Cynthia Tabe

Which strategy? Stanley's collabo?

Aboki

Yes, because honestly I don't think the song is received as it should be.

Cynthia Tabe

The feedback was positive so I guess it worked. You have to bear in mind that an artist cannot please every fan.

Aboki

Well considering the fact that it has 760 views on youtube in a week, i don't think it is positive feedback not for a starboy like Stanley

Cynthia Tabe

The youtube has over 800 views but also remember that it isn’t an actual video and it was released later, after the Reverbnation and Soundcloud entries.

Aboki

4301 plays on sound cloud but you would agree with me that he can do better than that considering his popularity at the moment.

Cynthia Tabe

Hein Père was widely popular because it transcended the online platform and also because it was new. All in all, the bottom line is Stanley is still as busy as ever and is still breaking all the records (if ever there was one!), that is what matters to the growth of an artist.

Aboki

What do you think would have happened if an act like Jovi was featured on the remix?

Cynthia Tabe

I am not sure. I don’t have a magic glass lol however I keep seeing stuff and it seems the online crew do want a collabo from both artists!

Aboki

So you would agree with me that it would have created a bigger impact.

Cynthia Tabe

I don’t know!! Maybe it would have online.

Aboki

Maybe on the streets equally as both artist have a huge following on and offline.

Cynthia Tabe

Ok. I guess……The time will come maybe but the public ought to let that happen at the right time.

Aboki

They has been the Who is the greatest or better rapper debate going on for quite some time and I know we aren't supposed to bring that out but that's the gift and the curse of being good. As a fan of good music, who do you think is better Stanley or Jovi?

Cynthia Tabe

Loool!! I cannot get into that debate because it is so flawed! Jovi is Jovi and Stanley is Stanley both unique but yet diverse let’s celebrate their uniqueness and diversity. We need that in the industry.

Aboki

But then if we spoke about let’s say Magasco and Elad's Voices would you comment?

Cynthia Tabe

Both very different and totally unique again we need such diversity it is great for us.

Aboki

I think everyone has a favorite artist and it is not bad to prefer one over another. It doesn't make the other person any less. Are you saying that you appreciate both Jovi and Stanley's art at the same level?

Cynthia Tabe

Yup! Jovi is the lyricist while Stanley is the performer and crowd pleaser.

Aboki

ok

Cynthia Tabe

So I enjoy their talent and diversity.

Aboki

Between Gasha and Reniss, whose music do you prefer?

Cynthia Tabe

Reniss is pop for when you want to dance and sing along Gasha is relaxation music. She activates ones chill mode lol! I like both because they serve a different purpose at different times.

Aboki

hahahahahahah..... I’m just going to drop it ohh wait between Gucci mane and Jay Z who do you prefer? I guess one is for Gangster Mood and the other for Hype Mood...

Cynthia Tabe

Lool!! Drop it ohh but unfortunately I don’t listen to either. Assia!!

Aboki

Where do you think the female artists are going wrong? Because so far, men seem to be dominating the game.

Cynthia Tabe

There are not many female artists out there anyway and I am guessing it must do with the fact that the African family demands more on the girls to be “right”. However the girls that are out there need to do more on the promotion and branding side. We need them to look the part and not be like any ordinary Camer girl. They should make us dream a lil!!

Aboki Breeze

So how does this affect their sustenance in the industry?

Cynthia Tabe

They need to work on creating an illusion to enable the public to dream a bit. They need to create great songs and videos to be sustainable. Also, their promotion and branding has to be right.

Aboki

What does ModeMaison PR have to offer to the public?

Cynthia Tabe

What ModeMaison PR has to offer is a personalized public and press relations service which includes an effective online and offline communication, marketing and branding services at a fee of course. We also offer wardrobe services which is basically rentals and styling for music videos and photo shoots. At the moment we only cater for women but will include men soon. We are also available as consultants during music/video releases and during the prepping of an artist before they are revealed to the public.

Aboki

If there was one thing you could change about the entertainment industry in Cameroon overnight, what it be?

Cynthia Tabe

I would inject more money into it so that those artists who are truly gifted and determined to succeed can.

Aboki

Any final words to the up and coming artist, producers, directors and all those involved in show bizz?

Cynthia Tabe

Leave the fame seeking and the too much talking aside. Let their talent speak for itself and they ought to try as much as possible to be professional at all times. The music business is a "business" and not just a "show". Those who are serious will make it while the rest will fizzle out. Which do they want to be? The choice is theirs!

Aboki

Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk to me. I would certainly reach out for follow up questions.

Cynthia Tabe

Thank you too for choosing to talk to me. I appreciate you airing my views.