Ringnwi Charles Funteh: Determined Efforts, Resultant Strides!

Ringnwi Charles Funteh is the Chief Executive Officer of Hilltop Music Academy, Bamenda. The musician, instrumentalist, composer and producer, went professional in 2012. With determined effort, focus and sense of purpose, Ringnwi has gradually edged his way to the top of Cameroon’s music training and production. “We train on-campus, at home and online on all musical instruments - piano, guitar, drum set, percussions and singing. There are also courses on song writing and stage performance. In collaboration with the Ministry Of Arts And Culture, we also train students during summer holidays. This is our contribution to building the nation,” says the 2016 GCE Advanced Level holder from GBHS Bamenda. He plans to release his first songs “in the near future.”

Born on December 12, 1997 in Nkwen, Bamenda, the indigene of Nwa in Donga-Mantung Division of the North West Region, was introduced to music in 2009 by Desebuin Felix of Hope Baptist Church, Ndamukong Street, Bamenda. He later became one of the church’s instrumentalists. But it was Tefu Roland Mbole, a “very dynamic musician,” who became Charles’ mentor in 2010. He went professional in 2012 and started playing for Tefu Roland. “We would go on tours and hold concerts out of town,” he recalls.

The turning point for Ringnwi came after he joined Highest Praise International, HiPI, a gospel music band. “HiPI offered me the opportunity to study and practise music together with its founder, Daddy Bob,” he remembers...