BLANCHE BAILLY: 237’s AFRO POP NICKI MINAJ

Bailly Larinette Tatah popularly known by her stage name, Blanche Bailly is a Cameroonian singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur. Blanche discovered her passion for music at a young age and began singing and performing in various local events. She even joined her school singing group and the church choir where she nursed her vocals and performance skills towards her future musical pursuit.

In 2015, Blanche had her official entry into the music scene where she debuted as a singer/songwriter with her single entitled “Killa”- a song produced by Ayo beatz a London based producer. Later within the same year, she collaborated on the track “Bruce Lee” with Julz, Rawf K and Ama Fru. She debuted her career with the pseudonym “Swagger Queen”.  In August 2016, she released a video cover for “Sawa romance” by Locko under the management of Cliq Media. She added a personal touch to the song with a fresh, funky and reggae feel. She immediately earned recognition amongst music executives and also received praises from her fellow artists and media houses.

Blanche Bailly released her debut single, “Kam We Stay”, in 2016, produced by Phillbill Beatz, which became an instant hit in Cameroon and across Africa. The song showcased her powerful vocals and her ability to blend different genres such as afrobeats, dancehall, and R&B. The song passed out an outstanding message where she clearly denounces cohabitation thus encouraging lovers to go about relationship the conventional way. Since then, she has released several successful singles, including “Mimbayeur”, “Dinguo”, “Ndolo”, “Ton pied Mon pied”, “Dieu Donné” and many other melodic tracks.

Throughout her career, Blanche Bailly has received numerous accolades and nominations for her contributions to the music industry like Best Female Central Africa at the 2018 AFRIMMA Awards, still in 2018, she earned Best Urban and Revelation of the year at Canal 2’Or Awards, in 2022, she was nominated at Nigeria’s renowned awards – Headies at the Best Central African Artist along side popular artists like Fally Ipupa, Innoss’B, Calema, Dadju and Soraia. There are many other awards in which she was nominated and many in which she won. She has also collaborated with other renowned artists from Cameroon and Africa, further solidifying her position as one of the leading female artists in the region.

Beautiful Blanche was born on August 8, 1995, in Douala, Cameroon. She hails from Banganté, West region, Cameroon. She attended Secret Heart Primary School in Kumba, South west region, Cameroon, she began her secondary school education in Baptist Secondary School-Kang Barombi located in Kumba. She did not stay for long in her secondary school because, she later on relocated to France at the age of 12 where she obtained Ordinary and Advanced Level Certificates. Blanche credits Beyoncé as her major international musical influence. She also admires other artists like Grace Decca, Longue Longue and many others.

 Aside from her music career, Blanche Bailly is also an entrepreneur. She owns a beauty shop called “Queen Mimba Glam Palace” in Buea. Blanche’s entrepreneurial spirit has allowed her to diversify her talents and expand her brand beyond music.

In October 2018, Blanche joined artists like; Mr Leo, Daphne, Minks, Pit Barccardi, Magasco and a host of others in a peace song “We Need Peace” by Salatiel for the ongoing crisis in the Anglophone Regions of Cameroon.

In July 2020, she gave birth to a son called Jayden.

Blanche Bailly continues to inspire young aspiring musicians with her talent, hard work, and determination. Her unique style and powerful voice have made her a force to be reckoned with in the African music scene.

Delia Nyadi