We all know by now that Maahlox is a typical depiction of a belle-no-be-store person. One of those people seemingly affected by a mild form of logorrhoea, who think or are compelled by some uncontrollable force from their belly to have an opinion on, or at the very least make a comment on everything that pops up around them. A lot of times they had better not say anything at all.
I have a friend like that, and I have suggested to him to tape the expression “Silence is golden” to the door of his bedroom so that it is the first thing he sees when he steps out into the world.
He has not heeded my advice.
In the case of Maahlox it is the dirty veil of spittle in which these words are spoken that is cause for concern. Yes, belle no be store. But how come every time you open that store there is usually some filth or a provocative vexation of the spirit that accompanies it?
Maahlox has always been an opinionated person. That is no secret. He has always defended his convictions loudly and proudly. A lot of times, I have agreed with him on many issues. Other times I have not. Sometimes I have agreed with him on some issues but not on HOW he said it. Other times I have not agreed with him on how far he failed to go with his reflections on a number of things – further strides that would have made it seem less lopsided and more informed.
Maahlox has branded himself as a ‘quartiersard’ and he has made that a central theme in both the lyrical and imagery components of his music. I had said before here that he has been able to capture an audience that revels in lascivious lyrics and his own peculiar brand of watered-down content. So watered-down it is that it has created provocateur catchphrases thrown here and there by people whom for lack of an articulated argument take these as a short-court to show, unfortunately, their inability and unwillingness to reflect and articulate properly on any issue they are addressing.
I once wrote an article on Daphne’s personal brand here, questioning her endorsement by a flour brand. Someone commented with “je porte mon pantalon je suis debout, c’est toi que ca sert? » Another way, perhaps, of asking me to mind my business. If he had any sense, he would have known that I was actually minding my business.
But behind this apparent veil of tomfoolery, I am not fooled. Maahlox is actually a smart guy that is capable of leveraging his platform and pushing through conversations that we need to collectively have. Take for example his coup-de-gueule about how much multinationals pay foreign and local acts for shows. Him actually saying how much he was paid for the SBO show opened the doors to some much-needed transparency in the industry and gave a yardstick via which music acts could measure their own worth.
But is this trash talk diplomacy necessary? That is the question. And it is a real and necessary one.
In a series of social media posts, Maahlox came out to congratulate Charlotte Dipanda’s recent statement on the state of the country. What could have been said in a more dignified was said thus:
“Let everyone negotiate something for himself. Who knows? I can show my support like this and Charlotte gives me some p***y. Charlotte, it’s your mouth, do whatever you want to do with it. If you want to use it to talk politics, go ahead. If you want to use it to s*** a d***, go ahead. I am always going to love your mouth anyway.”
In a follow-up post that was meant to sweep some criticism he received from the first post under the rug, he said; “Let’s put aside her political views. If she gives you her p*** won’t you take it? I love Cameroon, but I love Charlotte’s breasts even more.”
In a third post, he spread a new rug and said that people should be bothered too much about what he said, adding that girls like Charlotte Dipanda love rough boys like him.
I found the blatantly sexist remarks very disrespectful and unbecoming. Forget that it is coming from Maahlox whom we know to communicate in this style. I think there should be a limit to his antics. I’m not going to bring up the argument of ‘he is a role model and kids follow him’. That’s an argument I don’t believe in.
I just think it is downright disrespectful. Someone mentioned to me that they might be friends and that Charlotte might not take it badly. I don’t know about you guys but I believe that actually makes it worse.
And in a way, it is reflective of the verbal violence that we as Cameroonian depict on the daily. We seem to be a country of crass people with bitter responses to even the smallest request. Go to a ministry and ask for information and you will be shocked at the response you will receive from a planton.
I can say in no uncertain terms that Maahlox really, really pushed it. In a different country that “incident” would have taken on a different would have no doubt taken a different dimension by now and heads would have been asked for. Mais bon… I guess it’s also his brand and it’s one of those battles that you will not lose but which you won’t also win either. A real Vietnam paradox.
Maybe its also reminiscent of what battles the frontline people who usually fight such battles choose to fight; bickering over nomenclature and other such trivialities and walking around with a cane and dark glasses when the real issue arrives.
I say this again, that ironically his artist name, Maahlox, sounds like a medication one might find at a pharmacy. Something that could bring about some pain relief. But instead, it is not the panacea that we would want it to be.
It is the other panacea - you know- African Panaxia, sold to us by dubious salesmen. A medication that will truly show us that belle-no-be-store and will send us running to the toilet to rid ourselves of the nonsense he has been giving us
- Wandji Wilfred.