✦A voice born from the roots
Yamê takes his stage name from the Mbo language; it means “word” — and it perfectly sums up the soul of his music. This project, born with music in its DNA, partly sprouted in the home studio of his father, M’backé Ngoup’Emanty. While pursuing an academic path in Paris with a degree in history and a master’s in information management, he turned to music during the pandemic, blending rap, jazz, soul, and video game rhythms in his own distinctive language.
A style without borders
Previously catching attention with EPs like Agent 237 and ELOWI, the artist marks a turning point with the album ÉBĒM. ÉBĒM blends the traditional chanson aesthetic with the contemporary tones of R&B, hip-hop, and world music.
Album reviews and sonic reception
“Greater expressive power”
A critic on the music platform Musicboard gave the album 4/5, stating that compared to ELOWI, ÉBĒM is “more striking and creative.
From Tyler Jenkins at Pan African Music:
“Yamê is sweeping through social media… an artist beyond virality.” The facts speak for themselves: over half a million followers on TikTok, more than 35 million views on COLORS performances… ÉBĒM was born as the result of this visual and digital momentum.
An inner manifesto: the album map
The foundations of the album are built on the stories told by his grandmother. The album name ÉBĒM means a communal space where wisdom is passed on within the community. “Shoot” is a bold confession of alcohol and the desire to escape; “Solo” is a transformation that reshapes identity and the contradictions of solitude; “Moto” carries a passion for motorcycles, infused with metaphors of freedom and speed.
Yamê’s vocal power gains a compelling and theatrical expression with high-frequency tones. Layered with electronic beats, textures drawn from French chanson, and African rhythmic foundations, the music becomes both universally resonant and deeply local.
Faith in the stage and strength from critics
* In 2023, with the track Bécane, Yamê went viral on the COLORS stage, gaining personal support from Timbaland, who shared the video.
* In 2024, he won “Best Male Newcomer of the Year” at the Victoires de la Musique.
* In 2025, he received the grand jury prize at the Music Moves Europe Awards, gaining international recognition.
* Performing at Stromae’s concerts and his show at Trans Musicales Rennes also stand among the milestones of his career.
Final word: Yamê is a story
ÉBĒM is not only a showcase of Yamê’s musical talent, but also a bold manifesto that unites the stories of his roots with the rhythm of the modern world. Each track is universal enough to echo through both the streets of Paris and the warm nights of Douala, yet deeply tied to the artist’s personal history. Yamê offers the listener not just songs, but the spirit of the place he belongs to — and now, that spirit speaks its own language on the global stage.
