To many people Cameroon is just another name for a football team. But those who still have memories of the 1990 World Cup, will remember that the memorable moment for Cameroon was not when Roger Miller scored a goal but when he danced makossa (his traditional dance) to celebrate a goal. Cameroon is a musical country. It is often referred to as "Africa in miniature” and its music scene reflects its position as one of Africa's cultural cross-roads and home to more than 250 ethnic groups.  So when the British Council Cameroon launched its “Bring the Noise” project, we knew it would prove no challenge to our artists.

On 27 July 2007 the noise was turned on. Ten Cameroonian musicians showcased their talent at a British Council concert in Cameroon to select the best artists to represent the country as part of Africa 2007 “Bring the Noise project”.  The shortlisted musicians were selected from hundreds of applicants. Together they composed and played live fusions and sound around the theme of the project. “The God of music is here … you have a voice lets here it  ... Shout, scream, cry, whisper ‘cos the God of music is here.” The Petite TamTam Cultural Centre used mud to build a typical Cameroonian village hut as the venue. Even with a sitting capacity of 250 the hut was jammed to capacity. People were standing and squeezing in just to have a glimpse of what turned out to be a memorable, multicultural, dynamic live stage show after the world music show in the City. They were also joined by comedians to break the ice.

An exhibition was also hosted by the British Council to select a visual artist for the project. Three artists in each category were chosen for final selection in London.

Bring The Noise is part of a British Council East and West Africa 2007 programme. This is a long-term programme of cultural interaction aimed at connecting people in Africa and the UK. The programme explores notions of culture and identity to generate fresh ideas and create new understandings between individuals and communities in Africa and the UK. It focuses on current identities and future possibilities, enabling people in Africa and the UK to explore relationships, trace journeys in the past and understand them from new perspectives.

The Africa 2007 projects offer an opportunity to reflect on two anniversaries:  the British Act of Parliament to abolish the slave trade in the British Empire nearly 200 years ago; and forty years of the British Council’s work in Cameroon. These anniversaries mark not only significant moments of change in the relationship between Africa and the UK but also between Cameroon and the UK.

Projects that form part of the Africa 2007 include Belongings, Different Lives, Bring the Noise and Footprints. Each presents an opportunity to explore and re-examine this relationship in its many manifestations, past and present, and to create relationships that will contribute to a better future for Africa, Cameroon and the UK.

Launched to press in Cameroon on 29 June 2007 and staged to the public in the capital city Yaoundé on 10 July 2007, Bring The Noise has registered the highest press mentions for a single project.

The concert originally planned for two hours ended after four hours with the audience still asking for more noise. “This beginning is already an illustration of a successful project” said Dr Donatus Fai, Senior Lecturer, Performing Arts Depart and Coordinator of National Association of Theatre Troops in Cameroon and member of the Jury for the project.

10 Finalists of the Bring the noise musical concert

Three top artist of the evening