Eloquence - Trill Makossa

Between these two extremes, Trill Makossa unfolds ten tracks where the Cameroonian heritage of Eloquence dialogues with contemporary hip-hop textures. Released on April 8, 2016, under the Keyzit label, this studio album stands out for an approach described as "artistic and spontaneous rap," supported by music videos with strong cinematic dimensions.

Makossa as the Identity Spine

Eloquence, a French rapper of Cameroonian origin, grounds his work in the traditional sounds of makossa. This influence is not merely a cultural reference; it constitutes the sonic foundation of the project, blended with the codes of French hip-hop. The album thus presents itself as a space of synthesis where African musical memory coexists with hexagonal urban aesthetics. This hybridity defines the editorial line of the album, which refuses a single categorization to favor a composite and personal sonic identity.

Texans beats and spontaneity: the sonic texture of Eloquence

The production on Trill Makossa incorporates Texas beats with makossa sounds, creating a distinctive rhythmic friction. This alchemy fits within an artistic desire for spontaneity, even though some observers note that the trap productions present in the zeitgeist of 2016 remain still improvable for the era. The album thus oscillates between a codified structure — illustrated by the presence of an interlude titled Bizness monologue — and a claim to creative freedom. This tension between form and spontaneity traverses the ten tracks, offering a sonic texture that seeks its own balance.

Joe Lucazz, Flag and Matt Houston: three voices for two key tracks

The collaborations punctuate the album on two specific pieces. On La recette, Joe Lucazz lends his vocal presence alongside Eloquence. This association will continue later in the artist's career, since Joe Lucazz is invited on several tracks of the album L'enfer Ou l'eau Chaude (2019), notably "Carlito", "Netflix" and "Lutece". On the track Nana, the dynamic changes with the joint intervention of Flag and Matt Houston. These two guests complete the vocal ecosystem of the piece, offering a contrast with Eloquence's main voice on this track which is situated in eighth position of the tracklist.

Trill Makossa: the turning point in the trajectory

The total runtime of Trill Makossa is 28 minutes and 54 seconds, a conciseness that reinforces the intensity of its artistic proposition. This structural brevity contrasts with the richness of cultural references mobilized, particularly through the opening track, Mea culpa, which immediately sets forth the personal and identity-related stakes of the album. The closing with Ouverture sicilienne offers an unexpected ending, expanding the geographical and musical spectrum beyond just the makossa-hip-hop duo. This compact architecture allows Eloquence to densify each song without diluting its message, confirming his desire for a rap that is both "artistic and spontaneous" where every second counts. In terms of record label output, this 2016 release stands as a precise milestone before the arrival of Elo Chapo in 2017. It also precedes more recent works such as Codex Gigas (2021), Maison suave (2022) and Extravaganza (2024). This chronology highlights Eloquence's consistency in exploring varied sonic territories while maintaining a coherent guiding line. Joe Lucazz's presence on La recette thus anticipates future collaborations, while the association with Flag and Matt Houston on Nana testifies to an openness toward diverse vocal universes. These choices reflect the maturity of an artist who, since the late 90s, continues to reinvent his practice by relying on a network of loyal collaborators and a singular sonic identity. Positioned before Elo Chapo (2017), Trill Makossa marks a step in Eloquence's trajectory, active since the late 90s. The album also precedes subsequent releases such as L'enfer Ou L'eau Chaude (2019) and Fuoriclasse (2020). This work acts as a bridge to following productions, consolidating a unique sonic identity where makossa is no longer just an influence but a structural pillar of Eloquence's creation.

Technical Details

- Release: April 8, 2016 - Label: Keyzit - Tracks: 10 (28 min 54 s) - Opening / Closing: Mea culpa / Ouverture sicilienne - Guests: Joe Lucazz, Flag, Matt Houston