Manu Dibango
Cameroonian saxophonist and vibraphonist who fused jazz, funk, and traditional music.
Manu Dibango was a Cameroonian musician and songwriter who played saxophone and vibraphone. He developed a musical style fusing jazz, funk, and traditional Cameroonian music, and is best known for his 1972 single 'Soul Makossa', which has been referred to as the most sampled African song, with Dibango himself called the most sampled African musician in history.
- born
- 12 December 1933
- died
- 24 March 2020
- field
- Musician, songwriter
- nationality
- Cameroonian
- known_for
- 1972 single 'Soul Makossa'
Quick Facts
- Background
- non vocal instrumentalist
- Birth Name
- Emmanuel N'Djoké Dibango
- Birth Date
- 1933-12-12
- Birth Place
- Douala, French Cameroon
- Death Date
- 2020-03-24
- Death Place
- Melun, France
- Genre
- Makossa, African rumba, afrofunk/afrobeat, jazz, traditional
- Occupation
- Musician, songwriter
- Instrument
- Saxophone, vibraphone
- Years Active
- 1961–2020
- Spouse
- Marie-Josée @ Coco · 1957 · 1995 · end=d.
- Website
- manudibango.net
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Emmanuel N'Djoké Dibango was born in Douala, Cameroon, in 1933. His father was a member of the Yabassi ethnic group and a civil servant, while his mother was a Duala and a fashion designer. Dibango attended Protestant church for religious education and learned French at a colonial school. In 1949, at age 15, he was sent to college in Saint-Calais, France, later attending the lycée de Chartres where he learned piano.
After stints with French jazz clubs, Dibango moved to Belgium, where he was signed by Joseph Kabasele and joined the band African Jazz. He married a Belgian actress, model, and photographer named Marie-Josée (Coco) in 1957, with whom he had one child. Dibango achieved a UK disco hit with 'Big Blow' in 1976, and in 1998 recorded the album 'CubAfrica' with Cuban artist Eliades Ochoa. He was nominated for one Grammy Award in 1974 for 'Soul Makossa'.
Reader's Guide
Manu Dibango's significance lies in his pioneering fusion of jazz, funk, and traditional Cameroonian music, which created a globally influential sound. His 1972 single 'Soul Makossa' became a landmark in African music, widely sampled by artists such as Michael Jackson and Rihanna, though legal disputes arose over unauthorized use of its hook. Dibango's career spanned decades, collaborating with major figures like Fela Kuti, Herbie Hancock, and Ladysmith Black Mambazo. He served as the first chairman of the Cameroon Music Corporation and was appointed a UNESCO Artist for Peace in 2004. His death from COVID-19 in 2020 prompted tributes from musicians worldwide, cementing his legacy as a foundational figure in world music and a key influence on pop, funk, and disco.
Did You Know?
- Dibango's father was Yabassi and his mother was Duala; he wrote that he 'never been able to identify completely with either of [his] parents'.
- His song 'Soul Makossa' contains the word 'makossa', meaning '(I) dance' in the Duala language.
- In 2009, Dibango sued Michael Jackson and Rihanna over unauthorized sampling of the 'Soul Makossa' hook, but the case was settled out of court.
- He performed an 80th birthday concert at the Olympia in Paris in July 2014, broadcast by TV5Monde.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Manu Dibango?
Manu Dibango (12 December 1933 – 24 March 2020) was a Cameroonian musician and songwriter celebrated for his work on saxophone and vibraphone. He is widely regarded as one of Africa's most influential solo artists in modern popular music.
What is Manu Dibango's most famous song?
His 1972 single 'Soul Makossa' is his signature track and the song most associated with his name. It became a global hit and cemented his reputation as a pioneer of African-inflected dance music.
Why is Manu Dibango called the most sampled African musician in history?
'Soul Makossa' has been referenced and interpolated in an extraordinary number of hip-hop, R&B, and electronic recordings over the decades. This sheer volume of sampling led commentators to label Dibango the most sampled African musician ever.
What musical style did Manu Dibango pioneer?
He blended jazz harmonies, funk grooves, and traditional Cameroonian rhythms into a distinctive, danceable sound. This fusion approach helped bring African musical traditions into international pop and club contexts during the 1970s.
When and where did Manu Dibango pass away?
Dibango died on 24 March 2020 at the age of 86. He was born in Cameroon and spent much of his career performing and recording across Africa, Europe, and the Americas.
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