We are in the era where the female spectra seem to be gradually evolving in the event host business and this era-defining inclusion is somewhat becoming a match with the male counterparts. The male folks have long dominated the event hosting business but not anymore as the narratives have changed.
MC Charlene born Charlene Ebai-Ebi Egbe is a Cameroonian-born award-winning MC/Hype queen based in Norway. Charlene ranks as one of the biggest female MCs/Hostesses in the Afrobeats music industry in Europe and Scandinavia.
She’s very popular among the movers and shakers of Afrobeats music industry in Europe and beyond.
She has hosted high profile events for music stars and amongst them are Reekado Banks, Kiss Daniel, Stonebwoy, Iyanya, Tekno, Diamond Platnumz, Olamide, Flavour, Mr P, Fally Ipupa. She has successfully spread her tentacles beyond boundaries and borders. The name “Energy Goddess” speaks volumes not just in Africa but in many European countries like; Belgium, Germany, Norway, Italy, Turkey, Sweden, Austria, England, Finland and many more. MC Charlene hosted the Made in Cameroon Music Festival in Maryland, United States.
Also, in Summer 2019, she was the only female MC that appeared on the stage of ‘Afrobeat in Amsterdam’ at the Oh My Festival, a renowned urban music festival in the Netherlands that paraded artists such as Mr Eazi, Tiwa Savage, Davido, Meek Mill and a few other A-list artists.
In June 2021, she made it to the Top 5 African female MCs /show hosts in a publication by a popular Nigerian newspaper “The Guardian.”
MC Charlene in 2019 won an award for the MC of the year at the Scandinavia Afrobeats Music Awards (SAMA Awards). In 2020, she also bagged Best MC/Host of the year at Muzikol Music Awards (MUMA) in Cameroon.
Diaspora Glitz Magazine was able to interview The Energy Goddess who recently hosted a show in Limbe, Cameroon.
The Energy Goddess
Photo Credit: Andreas H Grønner
1. Who is MC Charlene aka The Energy Goddess?
MC Charlene (aka The Energy Goddess) is a Cameroonian-Norwegian based multiple awards winning international MC/hype Queen who has a passion for Entertainment.
2. How did the Energy Goddess name come about?
The name Energy Goddess was given to me by a friend because I am someone who is naturally energetic and someone who loves to entertain. And also the way I bring up my energy on stage and carry my audience along is the reason my friends and fans started calling me the Energy Goddess.
3. You have lived in Norway for more than 22 years.A country where Afrobeats music is not popular. Why did you choose to remain in Norway instead of the US or the UK?
No doubt, the UK & the US are great countries for an Afrobeats entertainer but I am not just an MC, I’m also a social worker, an entrepreneur and Norway has been my home for more than 2 decades. Despite living in Norway, I still get international bookings, I have hosted events across the board in countries like the USA, Belgium, Germany, Norway, Italy, Turkey, Sweden, Austria, England, Nigeria, Cameroon etc.
4. Who are the biggest artists you have worked with?
Hmmmm… I have worked with so many of them, I really can’t tell you who the biggest is, they’re all big in their own right. In 2019 I was the only female MC to host the Afrobeat in Amsterdam stage at the Oh My Festival, which happens to be the biggest Urban Music Festival in the Netherlands with artists such as Wizkid, Mr Eazi, Tiwa Savage, Davido, Meek Mill and many more. I have also worked with Tekno, MR Leo, Magasco, Stanley Enow, Diamond Platnumz, Olamide, Flavour, Mr P, Fally Ipupa and a host of others.
The Energy Goddess (MC/Hype queen)
Photo Credit: Andreas H Grønner
5. Aside from anchoring events, what else do you do?
Apart from anchoring events, I’m also a social worker, an entrepreneur, dance fitness instructor and I own a fitness brand called Sweat Like this (SLT) fitness in Norway.
6. You are one of the biggest female MCs/Hostess in the Afrobeats music industry in Europe and Scandinavia, to what do you attribute your success?
It’s hard work and always believing in yourself. I am a hard worker and I make sure I put my all into everything that I do. I also Keep it professional at all times. When booked for events I make it a priority for myself and my Team to constantly promote and create awareness for the show in the best way possible and I also do what I have to do on stage to give the audience the best show experience they deserve and to leave them “wanting more.”
7. What are the challenges you have had to overcome in the entertainment industry?
Not getting the right bookings, how people tend to underestimate me when I started until they finally see me on stage doing what I love to do and doing it the best way possible. Being a woman in the industry is not actually easy either because someone is not believing in you, someone is trying to sexualize you and on the other end, there’s someone who’s not just comfortable with how fast you are growing and tries to pull you back. So It’s not always easy but nothing will ever stop me.
The Energy Goddess during last week show in Limbe, Cameroon
8. You have taken Cameroon to higher heights in the domain of entertainment. Are you getting enough support from Cameroonians in return?
To be very honest with you, when I started, I felt I wasn’t getting enough support from the Cameroonian people, but gradually they’re coming around, the fan base/support from them is increasing and I appreciate them for that. though, there’s still a long way to go in terms of supporting each other’s craft. I believe “e go better, na small small” like we say in pidgin English.
9. Have you been to Finland before? We hope to have you as host of Miss Afro Diaspora Finland 2022?
Yes, I have been to Finland and i have actually hosted two shows in Helsinki, and it was a great experience. I would love to visit again. The Finnish people are so energetic.
