Locko
Charles Arthur Locko Samba (born 8 May 1992), known professionally as Locko, is a Cameroonian singer, songwriter, and producer. He rose to prominence in 2015 with the hit single "Margo" and has since become one of the most prominent figures in French-speaking African contemporary music.
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Locko | |
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 Locko in 2021 | |
| Born | Charles Arthur Locko Samba 8 May 1992 Douala, Cameroon |
| Citizenship | Cameroonian |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 2014–present |
| Notable work |
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| Awards | AFRIMMA Best Male Central Africa (2023) |
| Musical career | |
| Origin | Yaoundé, Cameroon |
| Genres | |
| Instruments |
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| Labels |
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Charles Arthur Locko Samba (born 8 May 1992), known professionally as Locko, is a Cameroonian singer, songwriter, and producer. He rose to prominence in 2015 with the hit single "Margo" and has since become one of the most prominent figures in French-speaking African contemporary music.
Early life and education
[edit]Locko was born in Douala and raised in a musical family. He learned to play the piano and guitar at a young age. He attended the National Polytechnic Institute of Douala, where he studied management before fully committing to a music career.[1]
Career
[edit]2014–2017: Origins and Big Dreams
[edit]Locko first gained attention by posting covers of popular songs on YouTube. In 2014, he signed with the independent label Big Dreams Entertainment. In 2015, he released his debut EP, Skyzo, which featured the hit singles "Margo" and "Ndutu". In 2016, his single "Sawa Romance" became a viral success across Francophone Africa.[2]
2018–present: Universal Music and Global Reach
[edit]In 2018, Locko became the first Cameroonian urban artist to sign a major distribution deal with Universal Music Africa. Under this label, he released his debut studio album, The Bridge, which featured collaborations with international artists like Singuila.
In 2023, Locko won the Best Male Central Africa award at the AFRIMMA awards.[3] His 2025/26 projects have seen him explore a more "Afro-fusion" sound, collaborating with younger artists such as Loic Sumfor.
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]- The Bridge (2018)
- Cloud Nine (2019)
- Era (2021)
EPs
[edit]- Skyzo (2015)
- Locked Up (2022)
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Year | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | AFRIMMA | Best Newcomer | Nominated |
| 2018 | BET Awards | Best International Act: Africa | Nominated |
| 2023 | AFRIMMA | Best Male Central Africa | Won |
References
[edit]- ^ "Locko: The Golden Boy of Cameroon". Pan African Music. 15 June 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2026.
- ^ "Locko, the new face of Cameroonian R&B". Trace TV. Retrieved 24 March 2026.
- ^ "AFRIMMA 2023 Winners List". AFRIMMA. Retrieved 24 March 2026.