Moziak Magazine: How are you social distancing during this period?
Stanley Enow: I am social distancing by staying home and going to the studio from time to time and just trying to make sure that I record the best that I can. I am avoiding crowded places. I am trying to keep one meter away from all the people who I want to talk to. It’s crazy. It’s really hard times.
MM: Where do you wish you were right now?
SE: I wish I was where I am now. At home in Cameroon is the only place I wish to be. It’s good to be at home.
MM: Name 3 positive things about the world almost coming to a standstill
SE: The good thing about what is happening is the fact that nature is able to breathe with little to no flights. I think it’s really beautiful to see the skies… and listen to nature without that much noise. You just have peace…
It’s also a lesson of humility because you can own a private jet and still not be able to fly. It’s shows that nothing really depends upon us no matter how rich you are. We now see the light with a different light. because there is a war. Imagine you have money where you can’t spend, you get sick, you’re being scared of going to the hospital, it’s crazy, but it’s humbling.
I also believe that it’s fortifies the notion of love, family love, because people are going back to the basics of what is essential. Those who are lucky enough to have their families with them. They notice that it’s their blood, their people over the world… People love each other. They now understand themselves more. Some they have true love, because they have time now, it’s not the same for everybody overtaxing that love. People just understand that we have to love each other while still standing.
MM: Name 5 things you plan to achieve whilst in “quarantine”
SE:
- To love people around me and to really make sure that they are safe
- Grow the personal relationship that I have with the people around me
- Record more music
- Listen to inspiring people
- Learn new things
MM: What surprising item made your shopping list?
SE: One of the surprising items that made my shopping list was a chloroquine. Chloroquine is very essential in case you contract the virus. It’s a medication that we’ve been taking since we were young. I grew up with chloroquine and at some point, chloroquine became just too normal for the African immune system, it was one of the most sought-after drugs.
MM: Did you stock up on additional toilet paper?
SE: Hahaha! Of course! We got stuck up on buying additional toilet paper. We used to buy like ten pieces of toilet paper at a time. It was really funny… It sounded like the world was going to end. I think the psychosis still exists right now, but it’s not as much as when the pandemic first broke.
MM: Have any important plans or activities of yours been cancelled/postponed because of the coronavirus?
SE: I launched a Stanley vs Enow tour and had the first show on February 11th in Douala, one of the major economic cities of Cameroon and I was blessed to have an attendance of close to 6000 young people coming out to enjoy with me. It was super great for our economy and for the industry.
Our next date was set for July 12th, but with the virus, I don’t know if it’s going to take place. I don’t know when the vaccines are going to be released and if people will still want to gather up in large numbers. So, COVID- 19 is really playing a very bad role. It’s not favouring our jobs at all.
I had trips to Paris that got cancelled. Trips to tour within Cameroon that got cancelled. A lot of shows got cancelled. I also had this big festival in America in Austin, Texas, the SXSW Festival that got cancelled.
MM: In a year’s time when you look back, what do you think you will be saying about this period?
SE: In a year I believe this thing is going to be over, we are going to be rich, we’re going to popping and we’re going to be inspiring lives. The world is never going to be the same again. This is like a total war and it’s a biological war. So, I think life is going to be beautiful.
MM: What advice do you have for people who are struggling with the idea of social distancing?
SE: People struggling with the idea of social distancing, I just want to tell them to try as much as possible to keep pushing.
Two friends of mine, I pray that they make it. They are in America and they are suffering from the coronavirus. And there’s a lot of cases in Africa and a lot of people that we know. But maybe they’re just being silent wherever they are in pain. Coronavirus is real, but I know that God is going to make plan.
I know that, we are going to make it. But, please practice social distancing because the virus is real. Wash your hands regularly with soap, use hand sanitizers, wear your mask. And please, social distance when you go to meet someone. Speak in the mask and don’t put the masks down before you want to speak. A lot of people are doing that. And may God bless everybody doing this because I know it’s hard.
MM: What are you looking forward to the most when the coronavirus pandemic is over?
SE: I look forward to more hospitals and more schools to be built in Africa. I look forward to more shows and endorsements for myself, and health and wealth for my family.
