Godlove Chi Awasom was born 02/23/1975, the last of four children to Mrs. Susan Awasom and Late Very Rev. Henry Anye Awasom former Moderator of Presbyterian Church in Cameroon. Godlove started his kindergarten Education at Presbyterian Youth Center Fiango, Kumba in the South West Region of Cameroon sometime in 1978.
In 1982, after just completing Primary Two, Godlove’s parents were asked to take up services as missionary of the Presbyterian Church of Cameroon in Germany. Godlove travelled with his parents to Germany first to Bochum, then Loerrach-Brombach. Godlove attended German language classes with his parents and later became the teacher at home after leaving his parents a class behind. His fluency and skills in the German language was extraordinary that when he intergraded into the German Primary Education system, he soared more than some of the kids who were native Germans. While in Germany, Godlove perfected his sporting abilities and was the captain and goal scorer of his local soccer league. It is also at this time that Godlove’s true interest and talents as a musician came into the spot light. As Godlove himself wrote, “It is here that the great big dream all began. It was a hot sunny afternoon and I was just coming back from school, my sister turned the TV on. It immediately introduced me to an iconic figure of the man who would later become my idol and inspiration, Elvis Presley 'the King'.”
In 1985, Godlove returned to Cameroon, as his father was called back to Cameroon to head the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon as the Moderator. Godlove then enrolled at Presbyterian Primary School Buea Town into primary six. In 1987 he graduated from primary school with distinction at the Government Common Entrance Examination into Secondary school and enrolled at Presbyterian High School (PHS Kumba) in the South West Region of Cameroon.
While a student at PHS Kumba, Godlove was in the school choir, was one of the best soccer player (defensive back position) and continued his music adventures. As he reported it, he would do karaoke on well-known music of Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, Paul McCarthy, Phil Collins, Paul Young, Shaky Stevens, Rod Steward, Robin Gibbs, Tina Turner, Madonna, Stevie Wonder and groups like Culture Club, Wham, Duran-Duran, Cool 'N the Gang and good host of others. Godlove stated “My great singing and dancing potential was immediately discovered on the day I stepped legs into the Presbyterian High School Kumba in 1987… I quickly became one of the most celebrated student artists of all-time in the Presbyterian High School Kumba as I remained a leading figure in the college musical interpretation program christened 'the College Podium'. I became the darling of many students during these shows and particularly the sweet heart of girls (Sherri-coco). I was hailed to the extent that, it gave me the opportunity to pretend to be sick on days of 'college podium', for girls to beg me to do everything possible to make them happy by going on stage. During this period, my guitar playing ability really died down, but I worked on and improved my on-the-stage performing ability and dancing skills.”
In 1992, Godlove graduated from PHS Kumba with a pass in the Government Certificate of Examination “Ordinary Level” and proceeded to Baptist High School for his Lower Sixth form (sophomore year). At this school Godlove faced the greatest of his life challenges as a group young man. Godlove would agree with you that his one year experience at Baptist High School (BHS) was the worst of his school years as his level of truancy in school was unmatched. He would sneak out of school in the night from Buea travelling to Douala, a distance of about 68km (42miles) to play his music or participate in a concert. He said “this period did not only witness me constantly breaking bounds off school to go play music, but it also saw me making numerous compositions including what I now consider as my number one track today, "Rock-Rock-Rock".
In 1993, Godlove’s Truancy became known to his Dad who withdrew him from BHS and sent him back to Presbyterian High School (PHS Kumba) to complete his High School Education. As the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, Godlove’s father was the proprietor of the Presbyterian Schools, so by sending him back to PHS, the rational was that he would be monitored by the Principal of the school. In 1994, the family’s fear of the negative impact of music on Godlove’s academics was justified when Godlove an “A” student passed only in two subjects for the GCE Advance Level examination. Godlove’s father didn’t consider that a pass and he sent Godlove to Presbyterian High School (PHS) Batibo to retake the exams.
In 1995, Godlove passed his exams this time around but refused enrolment to Buea University because he wanted to pursue his dream. (Music). At this point, there was nothing the family could do rather than allowing him to pursue his dream with the intuition that, he will realize his mistakes and make corrections himself. In the meantime Godlove picked up a job with Presbyterian Comprehensive Secondary School (PCSS) Buea where in addition to other teaching duties he assisted as the sports and music master of the school.
Between 1997-2001, Godlove had gained popularity within the sub-division as a viable musician and the director of Alliance Franco-Camerounaise Buea, Mr. Pascal Bourrel, invited and hosted the late Etub Enyang and (Godlove aka Goddy Shake) to a concert to perform. After that event, Godlove worked in music with Etub Enyang taking his adventures from Buea to Limbe, Kumba, Tombel, and Douala. He competed in various musical concerts such as; the International Brasserie Mutzig musical concert, the South West Delegation of Culture life concert to celebrate the World Aids Day, and the Southwest best music talent show where he was the winner.
That same year, Godlove took his musical career to a new level by creating his orchestra group called “The Jet System”. Godlove in his words reported “In 1997 I organized a first-ever Goddy Shake exclusive concert at the Buea Lower Farms Prison Hall under the sponsorship of Mr. Rufus Mbong. The show needed the old hands of Politico and Mola Molua Dave joining the youngsters, to see its success through. Evele Kool, a Buea based artist was also on hand to give us his support and technical assistance. The hall which was jammed to capacity as Goddy -Shake was already becoming a great household name in Buea had two special guests who remain amongst my biggest fans today, my Mom and senior sister. Indeed, for the first time, I had my family represented and witnessing one of my shows which turned out to be the greatest to this day.”
During this period Godlove released his first recording. This is how he reported it, “At the dawn of the new millennium, with the help of my Mom and a Swiss friend – Verena Ramseier, I did my first studio recording in Douala with Aubin Sandio as programmer and arranger and Paul Mbanglok as sound engineer (work completed December 31st, 1999 at Studio Digital 2000). Mr. Nubed Godlove was also of very great financial help here in the final phase of the mixing. While rehearsing for the final recording of the lead vocal, my dad listening to "Nje ye longue" and watch me dance with the rhythm showered me with a 10.000FCFA bill saying, "Bah, your music is good". It took him sometime to accept the fact that it was actually my music going on. I went ahead to register with the defunct SOCINADA which use to be the author's and copyrights' registry house in Cameroon.”
In 1999, while carrying on with his music career, Godlove started studies for his Higher National Diploma (HND) program in Accounting with the Cambridge International College long distant study program 1999 - 2001. Meanwhile Godlove followed his father to relocate in Bamenda after his father retired as the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon. While in Mankon-Bamenda, Godlove took employment with Presbyterian Secondary School (PSS) Nkwen-Bamenda and followed his passion once more in addition to other teaching duties doubled as both the sports and music master. On completion and graduation from his HND program in Accounting, Godlove gained employment with the Aziri Cooperative Credit Union Bank. He worked in the Head Quarters in Bamenda, and was later transferred as one of the pioneer bankers with the newly opened branch in Douala of the Littoral Region.
Godlove met Anye Marceline 2002 during Presbyterian sporting games in CPC Bali. They quickly became good friends and stayed in contact while Godlove was working at Azire Cooperative Credit Union and Marceline a student at the University of Dschang. In 2004 Godlove popped the question and Marceline said yes. On May 12th 2005, traditionally they were joined together, May 13th before family, friends and the public; they said their “I Dos” and on Nov 12th, they walked down the aisle to solemnize their union before the Lord. Godlove and Marceline lived in Douala were they blessed with the birth of their first son Henry Anye Awasom Jr in 2006. Godlove’s wife was a stay at home mother while Godlove worked as an accountant during the day and accompanied by his wife most evenings will go to the studio to record. He was working on his first album.
Life for the young family was going so well until Godlove was hit with a huge scam. This put a lot of strain on the entire family. After a long struggle, this problem was resolved and Godlove and his wife were able to leave for the United States. Upon arrival to the united states, they lived with Victor, Godlove’s senior brother in Manassas VA for a little over two months before moving to Savannah GA were the spend the rest of their lives until Godlove’s passing.
Godlove worked two jobs, enrolled in school and continued working on his music. He thought it wise to pause on the album he was working on while in Douala (Diboa La Ndolo) and work on his western songs being in a western world. His first album “More Brighter Days” was produced in 2008. He continued working hard on his music career and released his second album “Diboa la Ndolo” in the same year. After the lunching of this album, he performed in many events and social gathering, entertaining, marketing his CDs and raising funds.
As little as Savannah is, Godlove realized it was a hand full of Cameroonians around and so he used his amazing talent of bringing people together and socializing spirit to form a group called “Country People of Savannah”. Godlove was president of the group until his sudden illness. During his reign, he led a fundraising effort where almost $1000 was raised for an orphanage (Roots for Kids) in Buea Cameroon. He also inspired other members to join him volunteer at local homeless shelters and nursing homes around savannah
Godlove was a member of White Bluff Presbyterian Church. A small congregation he holds dear to his heart as they have always been so supportive of him and his family. His love for music was expressed in the congregation as he sang special songs during service and at church events. He was ordained and installed as elder in January 2009 and served through December of 2011.
Godlove and wife were blessed with the birth of their second son Daniel in 2010. On June 3rd 2013, the long awaited moment, Junior joined the family. Godlove had been working diligently to see this happen. Godlove’s love and affection for his family made him the best dad to his boys and the most loving husband to his wife. These were the best moments of the family as he took his family on trips and spend quality time with them. He coached and enrolled the boys in tennis and junior in soccer. Raising a God fearing family, he closed every evening with night devotion, teaching the kids bible stories, and singing and praying as a family. His last vacation with the entire family was to Washington DC in honor of the great news, (they found out baby number 3 was on the way). Godlove had just gained employment with Georgia Ports Authority and was at the verge of opening his own restaurant before his sudden illness.
On October 31st 2014, breaking November 1st 2014, Godlove suffered a massive brain aneurysm and was rushed to St. Joseph Medical Center about ten minutes from his home. He went unconscious before paramedics could arrive and never recovered till his final demise on September 30th 2016. He lives behind his wife, three boys, his mother, two siblings and the entire community of friends, family and well-wishers to mourn for him.
May his soul rest in perfect peace!
