ASKIA: 237 RAP QUEEN

The popular rap queen, singer, and song writer originally called “Askia Karin” but professionally known as “Mami Bakala” was born on June 12th and is based in the Southwest region of Cameroon.

Askia associated with the Buea-based “Trackzone Records” owned by “Subzee” (DJ Xionic) between 2007 – 2012. She was mentored by the producer and worked with rappers/singers like “MD”, “DA Breeze”, “Qilla”, “Djara”, “Martino Di-Cristo” and others. She was consistent in her creativity as a songwriter and rapper while at Track zone. She performed alongside Track zone artists at several shows.

After one of her performances at Mboa Hip Hop Awards at Seme Beach on Saturday 24th November 2012, a deal was proposed to her by a Douala-based label “Bogosse”. Their working relationship did not last for long.

In 2013, she bagged a record deal with Sieni Brothers and made her official debut with “Tat’Obasseh” directed by Mr Adrenaline. The video was launched. This welcomed  her into the music scene, proven by  her ability and established her as a commercial asset in the music industry. In 2014, she released “Allez les lions” featuring J Millie of Fluri Boys. Her contract with “Sieni Brothers” was short-term.The beautiful rapper signed another record deal with “Mutumbu records”. Under the label, she released “Under Construction” a mixtape.She parted ways with the label in 2016.

In January 2017, she entered a working relationship with “Alpha Better records” to join owner “Salatiel”, “Mr. Leo” and “Blaise B” . She released “Ma valeur” in October 2017, under Alpha Better imprint which received critical acclamation. Some fans criticised her for drifting from her brand and style as a rapper to an Afropop singer.

Askia collaborated with Alpha Better team mates on “Qu’est-ce qui n’a pas marché” and a Christmas tune “Higher Higher”. These tracks promoted her image across Cameroon and Central Africa enabling her to gain a massive fan base. In 2018, Askia separated from Alpha Better Records. She later posted on Facebook showing gratitude to the label (Alpha Better Records) for all she learned, experienced and for giving her a huge platform. It was quite a difficult period for the “rap queen” . In spite of the labor and emotional breakdown, she didn’t bow out.in August 2018 “Mami Bakala” which led to her nickname “Mami Bakala”.

In 2019, she embarked on a project entitled the “Bag series” with the objective to empower women in the music scene. This involved “Mihney”, “Ewube”, “Yung Meagan”, “Gasha”, “Dyonce”  and other Cameroonian artists. In 2020, she released “Addiction”, and “Let’s Talk” under “Sabuc”. She later joined “Beard Gang”, home to her ex-husband “Qilla”. Under the label, she dropped “Self Defence”. She has released several other songs which have brought her great achievements to also include her beautiful daughter with “Quilla”.

In September 2021, she parted ways and decided to go solo for personal growth. As an independent artist, she released “Prison”, “Ngarma” featuring Mr Leo, and “Violence”. In January 2023, Askia joined Mr Leo’s music label “Lionn Production”.

Despite all Askia has been through, depression, a difficult childhood, she has been body-shamed and gone through ridicule and rejection. She has successfully fought to gain good self-esteem and find a way of coping with the downside of life. She is a strong fighter and has been fighting since and she has shown that she will never give up, but grow to be a stronger lady and an icon to the younger generation.

Delia Nyadi