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60 years of music, 60 records released and a planetary hit covered by over 23 artists… These numbers merely hint at how massive Manu Dibango’s career was and continues to be. At the age of 80, the Cameroonian flame still shines bright. He who was coined the inventor of Disco tours and records extensively to the delight of both the young and the nostalgics.Dibango came under the spotlight in 1972 when he released “Soul Makossa”. The song that was born an unheralded B-side went around the world in a blink, taking Manu for the ride of his life. Covered by Michael Jackson on “Thriller” (140 million copies sold) and Rihana in “Please don’t stop the music”, “Soul Makossa” is a tune each of us has danced to at least once.Following this smashing triumph, Manu Dibango collaborated with countless artists from various backgrounds (Youssou N’Dour, Cesaria Evora, Sly & Robie, Supertramp, Angelique Kidjo, Henri Salvador…) thus harvesting influences from the four corners of the globe. Flavors from Africa, Jamaïca, the West Indies, France, the USA and many more formed the recipe for Dibango’s very unique “Joy Jazz”.
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Manu Dibango Biography
Manu Dibango (Emmanuel N'Djoké Dibango, born December 12, 1933 in Douala, Cameroon) is a Cameroonian saxophonist and vibraphone player. Leaving Cameroon to France to study, he got to study music where he enrolled for piano lessons. Though a piano student, Manu fell inlove with his friend and classmates instrument, the saxophone. Not having a keyboard at home to rehearse his music lessons, he spent time using his friend's saxophone which has today become his longest companion. He developed a musical style fusing jazz and traditional Cameroonian music. He is a member of the Yabassi ethnic group, though his mother was a Douala.
He has collaborated with many musicians, including Fela Kuti, Herbie Hancock, Bill Laswell, Bernie Worrell, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and Sly & Robbie. In 1998 he recored the album CubAfrica with Cuban artist Eliades Ochoa .
His Soul Makossa is often considered the first disco record (Jones and Kantonen, 1999). Prominent and loved by his country, he just celebrated his 50th musical anniversary in Cameroon, where he was greatly supported by the wife of the president of Cameroon.
Manu Dibango was the sole African who exposed African traditional music to the western world. His style took the world by storm when the American superstar, Michael Jackson took Manu's Soul Makossa which featured in Jackson's album in You wanna be startin' Something. This same hit today vibrates the music chart which featuresAkon. Obviously, Jackson lost the suit and had to pay the African Saxophonist for Damage.
Read MoreHe has collaborated with many musicians, including Fela Kuti, Herbie Hancock, Bill Laswell, Bernie Worrell, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and Sly & Robbie. In 1998 he recored the album CubAfrica with Cuban artist Eliades Ochoa .
His Soul Makossa is often considered the first disco record (Jones and Kantonen, 1999). Prominent and loved by his country, he just celebrated his 50th musical anniversary in Cameroon, where he was greatly supported by the wife of the president of Cameroon.
Manu Dibango was the sole African who exposed African traditional music to the western world. His style took the world by storm when the American superstar, Michael Jackson took Manu's Soul Makossa which featured in Jackson's album in You wanna be startin' Something. This same hit today vibrates the music chart which featuresAkon. Obviously, Jackson lost the suit and had to pay the African Saxophonist for Damage.
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