In Cameroon, we are
used to having artist names, like Jovi, Locko, X Malaya, etc but when you
hear the name Shey Ductu, it doesn’t sound like young and swag. Why would a 25
year old, young man, chose such a name as his artist name?
In an exclusive interview
with Cameroon Bloggers Forum, Bamenda based Artist, reveals why he is called Shey
Ductu.
“ when I started music in 2008 –
2009 I was called Street Jay. Translating to Jay from the Streets. The name was
welcomed by the younger generation because it represented them but throughout I
felt like it never represented me. Between 2012 and 2015, I put my music career
on backstage because of education and other responsibilities. In 2013, when I left
the university of Yaounde I, I decided to return to my home town and there I launched an NGO called Ductu Foundation.
(Ductu being Latin word for guidance or leadership) the organization has as
objective to provide guidance and orientation to young people as concerned behavior,
education and employment.
While at Kumbo, I was also
employed by International University of Bamenda, Kumbo Campus, and my Boss Dr
Amenu loved the concept of my organization, so from time to time he would pass
by the office to see how I and my friends were fairing.
In Banso land, a noble man is
often given the title of Shey by the Fon. However in my case the Fon did not.
My boss decided to call me Shey Wo Ductu Foundation. (Meaning the noble man of
Ductu Foundation) and after sometime the name reduced to Shey Ductu, and other
close friends welcomed, the name. it became so natural that in 2015 when I decided
to do a musical comeback with my Album 50Fifty, I decided to honor my community
by accepting the name Shey Ductu.
When people ask me my artist name
and I say Shey Ductu, they are surprised, some ask me if I have never heard of
names like Mickael Jackson, and etc, and I often reply them, I proud of the
name my community has given me and if I work hard, get a little fame and money
lol, the name will be as easy to pronounce as any other name.
