Biography

Stanley Enow is one of Cameroon's most popular rappers, as well as a radio and television personality, entrepreneur, and UNICEF-acknowledged activist. The award-winning, endorsement-happy artist's music has evolved from the harder, more rap-based sound of his 2015 debut full-length, Soldier Like Ma Papa, to lighter, poppier material such as 2019's Stanley vs Enow and single collaborations with Afro-pop stars like Mr Eazi and Davido. Nicknamed "Bayangi Boy," Stanley Enow was born in Bamenda, the capital of the Northwest Region of Cameroon, but grew up Bafoussa, in the West Region. He began rapping and breakdancing while in high school, and later studied at the University of Douala, where he graduated with a degree in business journalism in 2010. Enow became a highly popular radio personality in Douala, hosting the radio programs The Groove and Cocktail Hit Parade, additionally doing voice-overs for advertisements and presenting the weekly music television program Mboa. After earning recognition for his performances in 2012, he launched his recording career in 2013 with "Hein Père," a triumphant hip-hop anthem that became a major hit throughout Cameroon. The track won Best Video of the Year at the Balafon Music Awards and helped Enow win two prizes at the Cameroon Academy Awards, in addition to being named Best New Act at 2014's MTV Africa Music Awards and African Muzik Magazine Awards. Additional singles like "Tumbuboss" and "Njama Njama Cow" preceded debut full-length Soldier Like Ma Papa, which appeared on Enow's Motherland Empire imprint in 2015. While busy operating his label and clothing line, as well as racking up several major endorsement deals, he continued releasing singles and videos, including 2016's "Follow Me" and 2017 collaborations with Mr Eazi ("Adore You") and Davido ("Caramel"). By the release of tracks like "Elle Est La" and "Casanova" in 2018, Enow had switched from rapping to singing, and his music was much more upbeat and accessible than his earlier material. Second album Stanley vs Enow arrived in 2019, including collaborations with Pit Baccardi, Diamond Platnumz, and Ariel Sheney. In August 2020, Enow was appointed a UNICEF National Ambassador in recognition of his commitment to social causes, particularly children's rights. He returned to hip-hop with the single "Tu vas lire l'heure," which appeared in September. ~ Paul Simpson, Rovi