Manu Dibango

Manu Dibango
Dibango in 2019
Dibango in 2019
Background information
Birth nameEmmanuel N'Djoké Dibango
Born(1933-12-12)12 December 1933
Douala, French Cameroon
Died24 March 2020(2020-03-24) (aged 86)
Melun, France
GenresMakossa, African rumba, afrofunk/afrobeat, jazz,[1] traditional
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter
Instrument(s)Saxophone and vibraphone
Years active1961–2020
Websitemanudibango.net

Emmanuel N'Djoké "Manu" Dibango (12 December 1933 – 24 March 2020)[2] was a Cameroonian musician and songwriter who played saxophone and vibraphone. He developed a musical style fusing jazz, funk, and traditional Cameroonian music. His father was a member of the Yabassi ethnic group, while his mother was a Duala. He was best known for his 1972 single "Soul Makossa". The song has been referred to as the most sampled African song[3] in addition Dibango, himself, as the most sampled African musician in history.[4] He died from COVID-19 on 24 March 2020.[5][6]

  1. ^ Nyamnjoh, Francis B.; Fokwang, Jude (2005). "Entertaining Repression: Music and Politics in Postcolonial Cameroon". African Affairs. 104 (415). Oxford University Press on behalf of Royal African Society: 251–274. doi:10.1093/afraf/adi007.
  2. ^ "Le saxophoniste Manu Dibango est mort des suites du Covid-19, annoncent ses proches". Le Monde (in French). Paris. AFP. 24 March 2020. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  3. ^ Durosomo, Damola (8 May 2020). "This video explores the countless songs that sample Manu Dibango's 'Soul Makossa'". Okay Africa. Archived from the original on 14 May 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  4. ^ Seiboko, Refiloe (1 July 2020). "The Cameroonian rhythm that set the world on fire". Mail & Guardian. Archived from the original on 2 July 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  5. ^ Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (24 March 2020). "Manu Dibango, Cameroon jazz-funk star, dies aged 86 of coronavirus". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  6. ^ Monroe, Jazz (24 March 2020). "Afro-Jazz Star Manu Dibango Dead at 86". Pitchfork. Retrieved 24 March 2020.