Lady Ponce

Lady Ponce, born Adèle Ruffine Ngono on 24 July 1983 in Mbalmayo, Centre Region of Cameroon, is an award-winning Cameroonian singer, songwriter, entrepreneur, and one of the country’s most celebrated Bikutsi artists. Born into the Ewondo community, she developed a passion for music at an early age under the guidance of her mother, a respected traditional singer. At just ten years old, she performed publicly for the first time by replacing her mother at an official ceremony. Following her mother’s passing in 1998, Lady Ponce relocated to Yaoundé, where she joined the choir at the Essos parish and began pursuing a professional music career.

Lady Ponce rose to national prominence in 2007 with the release of her breakthrough album Le Ventre et le Bas-Ventre, whose title track became one of the biggest Bikutsi hits in Cameroon. The album established her as a leading voice in the genre, and she followed it with a string of successful projects including Confession (2009), Bombe A (2010), La Loi du Talion (2011), Bains de Sons (2015), Patrimoine, and Suprême (2020). Renowned for her powerful vocals and energetic stage performances, she has helped modernize Bikutsi while preserving its rich cultural heritage, performing across Africa and Europe.

Throughout her career, Lady Ponce has received numerous awards and national honors. She won Best Female Revelation and Best Female Voice early in her career, followed by Best Female Artist and Song of the Year at the Canal 2’Or Awards. In recognition of her contribution to Cameroonian culture, she was decorated as a Chevalier of the Order of Valour by the Government of Cameroon in 2014. Her influence extends beyond music, making her one of the country’s most decorated and respected female performers.

Beyond the stage, Lady Ponce is a successful entrepreneur and advocate for African culture. She owns NAR Group, which includes a production company, fashion brand, beauty institute, and entertainment venues. Through her music and business ventures, she continues to promote Cameroonian traditions while inspiring young women to pursue their ambitions with confidence and determination. With a career spanning nearly two decades, Lady Ponce remains an enduring icon whose impact on Bikutsi music and African entertainment continues to grow.