Born on 15/6/1959 in Bonatéki a quarter in Douala as Ekwalla Mpouli Eugėne, Hoigen Ekwalla recorded his first album "Ndolam" in 1982. More records followed and in 1988 he received a "Disque d'Or" for his album "Chat botté". In 1994 he became Artist of the Year in Cameroon with the album "Mon amie". His latest album "Tendresse" was released in 2000. In 2003 Ekwalla became more and more frustrated by the lack of protection against piracy in Cameroon and became a business man.