The COVID-19 has claimed its first African megastar victim. African and global saxophone legend, Manu Dibango died on Tuesday March 24 at the age of 86 in Paris after being hospitalised for Coronavirus.
The Cameroonian born music legend covered a vast spectrum of styles, from traditional African roots music to jazz, soul, Afrobeat, reggae, gospel, French chanson, Congolese rumba, salsa and solo piano. In the 80s Manu Dibango sued Michael Jackson for the use of the refrain “mama-say, mama-sa, ma-makossa”, on Michael Jackson’s Wanna Be Starting Something, from his 1982 album Thriller. The case was settled out of court.
During Dibango’s more than 60-years career, he collaborated with many global stars including US pianist Herbie Hancock, Nigeria’s Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, Senegalese singer Youssouf Ndour as well as Salif Keita, Papa Wemba and King Sunny Ade
Ndour called the Cameroonian a “genius” on the saxophone and described him as a “big brother, a pride for Cameroon and all of Africa”.
Full information, biography and discography of the music icon can be found on Wikipedia, Britannica and his Official Facebook Page
Tweeter has been floaded with tribute the Africa Saxophonist, Songwriter, Vibraphonist, Arranger and Producer
