Biography
Emmanuel N'Djoké Dibango, known as Manu Dibango, was born on December 12, 1933, in Douala, Cameroon, to a Yabassi father and Duala mother. Sent to France at age 15 for studies in Saint-Calais and later Chartres, he discovered piano and immersed himself in the local culture, developing a passion for jazz influenced by artists like Duke Ellington and Charlie Parker. After failing finals in 1956, he moved to Brussels, where he honed his skills in jazz clubs, married Belgian actress Marie-Josée (Coco) in 1957, and joined Joseph Kabasele's African Jazz band, contributing to the Congolese rumba revolution and the pan-African hit 'Indépendance Cha Cha' in 1959.
Fun Facts
- "Soul Makossa" (1972) is the most sampled African song in history, notably used without permission by Michael Jackson and Kanye West, prompting Dibango's lawsuits.
- His band was the first African group to perform a 10-day stand at Harlem's Apollo Theater alongside Edwin Starr and the Temptations.
- Dibango released over 70 albums and composed more than a dozen film scores across his career.
- He was appointed UNESCO Artist for Peace in 2004 and received the French Legion of Honor in 2010.
Associated Acts
- L'African-Team
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Joseph Kabasele - Band leader who signed him and introduced him to Congolese music scene (Le Grand Kallé et l'African Jazz, 'Indépendance Cha Cha') [1950s-1960s]
- Duke Ellington - Early jazz inspiration discovered in school (General influence on jazz style) [1940s-1950s]
- Charlie Parker - Key jazz influence shaping his saxophone playing (General bebop influence) [1940s-1950s]
Key Collaborators
- Joseph Kabasele - Band member in African Jazz (African Jazz recordings) [1950s-1960s]
- Fela Kuti - Frequent collaborator blending afrobeat (Africa 70 sessions, various albums) [1970s]
- Herbie Hancock - Jazz fusion collaborations (Multiple projects) [1970s-1990s]
- Sly and Robbie - Recorded albums in Jamaica (Two albums with Brecker Brothers) [1970s]
- Eliades Ochoa - Cuban album collaboration (CubAfrica (1998)) [1990s]
- Nino Ferrer - Conductor and accompanist for French pop (Various sessions) [1960s-1970s]
Artists Influenced
- Michael Jackson - Sampled 'Soul Makossa' in 'Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' (Thriller (1982)) [1980s]
- Kanye West - Sampled 'Soul Makossa' leading to lawsuit (Late Registration (2005)) [2000s]
Connection Network
External Links
Tags: #african-rumba, #afrobeat, #afrofunk
References
Heard on WWOZ
Manu Dibango has been played 8 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.