Visionary Reports

Makossa artist Jacky Lobe has made a comeback after a 12-year recess following a debilitating road accident. The artist officially presented his new album, titled Mwayé, at a press conference held in Douala on Tuesday, November 25, 2025.The new album, Mwayé (meaning “light” in the Douala language), was presented to numerous national and international journalists at La Chaumière restaurant in Bonapriso, Douala.The album harbors 12 soundtracks. It was produced in Cameroon by Thierry Abdou Yaya.The artist shared that his return is “guided by an inner light ” that he is eager to share with his audience, signaling a new chapter illuminated by resilience and inspiration.Mwayé marks the artist’s first release since the accident that kept him away from the stage, reconnecting him with his fans after a significant period of silence.However,Jacky Lobe’s career is marked by several significant achievements and collaborations: His early career featured a notable partnership with the late Samy Njondji, who passed away in 2009. Lobé pays a moving tribute to him in his work. His 1999 album featured the standout track “Sona Anti,” which he revisited in 2008 due to its popularity at his concerts. In 2013, the artist published Un peu de conscience, a title that denounces selfishness and excesses in public and family management.

Internationally, Jacky Lobé is a recognized figure, having been invited to several prestigious world music festivals: Tropicana (Sicily), Musiques Métisses d’Angoulême, Nuits d’Afrique, and the Montreal International Jazz Festival. He has also performed in major US cities, including New York and Chicago.Nevertheless,beyond his musical contributions, Jacky Lobé is known as a committed artist for his extensive humanitarian work: In 1994, he donated the royalties from his song “Somalia” to Doctors Without Borders.His past initiatives include providing school furniture to the school in Bonambongué, renovating the clinic in Bomono, and establishing the Women’s Center in Bonapriso and a computer lab in Bomono-ba-Jédu.A major new project is currently underway: the Bomono Community Center expected to carryout humanitarian activities.With the release of Mwayé, Jacky Lobe intends to open a vibrant new artistic chapter, confirming his status as a key figure in Makossa music.

By Wana Henry