Cameroonian Rapper Kocee Emerges as a Force in African, Global Music Scene

 

*Cameroonian Rapper Kocee Emerges as a Force in African, Global Music Scene

Cameroonian rapper Njang Mengu Collins, popularly known as Kocee, is rapidly gaining recognition both in Africa and globally as a major force in the music industry. Born on November 18, 1994, in Kumba, in the Southwest Region of Cameroon, Ko-c’s journey to stardom began humbly. He started writing songs at a young age and sharing them with friends for feedback. The overwhelming positive response he received motivated him to step into the spotlight and pursue music professionally.

Kocee penned his first song, Town Player, at just 20 years old and quickly made a name for himself as part of the music group P.I.M. Boys (Preach It Movement Boys). The group’s success led to a deal with BTS Empire in July 2015. However, the following year, Ko-c made the bold decision to go solo, catching the attention of Rugged Music.

"Going solo was a turning point for me," he said. "I wanted to create my own path and establish a unique sound."

In 2017, the singer signed a three-year contract with Big Dreams Entertainment, where his career truly skyrocketed. His breakout hits like Laisse-moi passer, I Love You featuring Locko, Bollo c’est Bollo*, and Caro gained him widespread recognition. In 2018, he released a remix of Balancé featuring fellow Cameroonian rapper Tenor, which became an instant hit. That same year, he collaborated with Beninese artist Fanicko on Sango, further cementing his status as a rising star.

Kocee's momentum didn’t stop there. In 2018, he won the "Best New Artist" award at the Urban Jamz Awards, a testament to his growing influence. Known as “Cameroon's fastest rapper,” he continued to dominate the scene with hits like Ça a cuit and *On S'en fout, a collaboration with Ivorian artist Ariel Sheney in 2019.

"The love I received from my fans and the industry was overwhelming," Kocee reflected. "It pushed me to work harder and keep pushing boundaries."

In February 2020, after his contract with Big Dreams Entertainment ended, Ko-c launched his own label, Power House Entertainment. Though the COVID-19 pandemic affected the global music industry, Ko-c adapted and continued releasing chart-topping songs. His collaboration with Bikutsi songstress Coco Argentée on Caleçon became his biggest hit to date, amassing nearly 10 million views on YouTube within six months.

“Caleçon was a defining moment for me," Ko-c said. "It showed me that I had truly become a force in the industry, not just in Cameroon but across Africa."

With his latest hit "Credit Alert", featuring A-list Nigerian artist Patoranking and his unique signature style blending Afrobeat, hip-hop, and rap, Kocee has endeared himself to the heart of Afro-music lovers. He has also toured extensively, earning multiple award nominations and wins. His rise in the African music scene, combined with his global reach, has made him a key figure to watch in the coming years. 

"I’m just getting started," Kocee declared. "There’s so much more music to make, and I’m excited for what’s next."

As he continues to push creative boundaries and make waves on both the African and global stage, Kocee's influence is undeniable, and his rise to the top seems unstoppable.