Stanley Enow: Performing in CHAN opening is an honor
Cameroon rapper Stanley Enow was the highlight of the energetic and thrilling performance during the opening ceremony of the TOTAL Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) 2020 Cameroon.
He is the first musician from his country to win the MTV Africa Music Awards so it is not surprising that his performance at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium on 16th January, 2021 has attracted rave reviews.
The Unicef Ambassador and business journalism graduate has been talking to Cafonline.com about his performance at the opening ceremony, Cameroon's hosting of the competition and next year's Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
Cafonline.com has been speaking to the Cameroonian rapper Stanley Enow and below is the full interview:
Cafonline.com: You had a great performance during the opening of the CHAN 2020 tournament. How did if feel like performing before your home crowd and to the African audience?
Stanley Enow: My legs are still shaking you know. It's been a very great experience for me to have huge recognition to perform in my own country for an important tournament. It shows that after all the work we've been doing, you know God is not sleeping, He is watching and wants to elevate us even more.
Cafonline.com: What has been the feedback for you since your magnificent show in the opening ceremony?
Stanley Enow: It was super epic. Like everybody in the streets, when they see me, people go crazy and given what I have experienced over the years I can say it’s been great. But when you see some people of high standing in society like chiefs, government officials writing to you on WhatsApp, thanking you for what you did, I mean it can only make you proud.
Cafonline.com: There are several musicians in Africa and Cameroon - how did it feel like when you were selected among several musicians in Africa to perform in the opening ceremony?
Stanley Enow: That was just a blessing. Like I said in my first responses, I think it is God’s time for me for working so hard over the years. I am the UNICEF ambassador so am doing a lot of social work and I am the first Cameroonian artiste to have won MTV African music award. For me I think that it's just time and it's a just reward of the hard work I am doing. For other hurdlers who are doing a great job, I just want them to know that their time is going to come too to do some big stuff.
Cafonline.com: The feedback from the people in Yaounde is that you should have been given more time since they enjoyed your performance. What are your thoughts?
I thank you all. I put a lot of energy when I perform. I give in my all so, I can understand that the young people would have wanted me to perform a bit longer but I just had to respect the time that they gave me. And sometimes the shorter it is, the sweeter it becomes.
Cafonline.com: What should African football fans expect from you at the closing ceremony if you are selected to perform there too?
Stanley Enow: If I'm selected to perform, I guess it's going to be epic. Let's see how it goes but I will be proud if I'm selected perform. I'm happy that we did a very epic performance for the opening and I love it. If it happens again, it's going to be fire.
Cafonline.com: Personally how do you feel about your country hosting this tournament?
Stanley Enow: Personally, I think it was high time for Cameroon to receive such a great events, and this tournament is super great and very important. Seeing the president of FIFA, seeing people like legendary Samuel Eto'o, Roger Miller and all the other legends, Rigobert Song, all beautiful people that have written their names in football history, it's a good one. Cameroon has dope infrastructure. It's so beautiful. So it was high time for it to get utilized.
Cafonline.com: Which country will win the tournament?
Stanley Enow: So far all the countries have played well and we have seen some amazing goals in the competition and it is great they are all showing to the world that African football at any level has come of age. Of course I am rooting for the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon to win this tournament.
Cafonline.com: The AFCON will be coming to your country next year? What are your thoughts about Africa's biggest sporting competition coming to your country?
Stanley Enow: What I need for next year is more shows, like more communication. I will urge my people to increase love in their hearts, the level of hospitality because next year is going to be crazy and I expect that we win because we are playing home.
Cafonline.com: Would you like to perform in that opening and closing ceremonies too?
Stanley Enow: I will like to perform again because it’s always epic. It’s something that I look forward to and I know that even on stage it’s going to be mad again. Next year will be bigger and even better.
Cafonline.com: You have done songs with Davido, Sarkodie, Olamide, 2Face and many others. What do you think would be the best display of artistes for the opening ceremony for the AFCON in your country next year?
Stanley Enow: I have worked with a lot of international artistes and what I think will be the best display. I think there should be a couple of artists to come as well and make things happen but I mean, we just have to prioritize home because home is home and we have a lot of entertainers we know they can play. Thank you.