Famed African saxophonist Manu Dibango, who came to worldwide fame with the Grammy-nominated hit “Soul Makossa” in the early 1970s, died in Paris on March 24 after contracting the coronavirus.
He was 86.
It’s believed that Dibango is one of the first celebrities/entertainers to die from COVID-19.
The announcement of his death was made (in both French and English) on his official Facebook page:
“Dear family, dear friends, dear fans,
“A voice raises from far away… .
“It is with deep sadness that we announce you the loss of Manu Dibango, our Papy Groove, who passed away on 24th of March 2020, at 86 years old, further to Covid -19.
His funeral service will be held in strict privacy, and a tribute to his memory will be organized when possible.”
The news was also delivered via Dibango’s Twitter account:
It is with deep sadness that we announce you the loss of @ManuDibango, our Papy Groove, who passed away on 24th of March 2020, at 86 years old, further to covid 19. Your music will always stay with us. #ManuDibango #RIP #SoulMakossa pic.twitter.com/IJkjla2rAt
— Manu Dibango (@ManuDibango) March 24, 2020
Born in 1933 in Cameron, Dibango was playing saxophone in clubs in Europe and other spots around the globe by the ’50s. He then saw his star rise as a member of the influential Congolese rumba band Africa Jazz (aka, Le Grand Kallé et l’African Jazz), before launching his own solo recording career in the late ’60s.
His career reached the next level with “Soul Makossa,” the 1972 single that introduced Dibango’s sound — mixing funk, soul, jazz and African music — to millions of listeners.
The song proved incredibly influential — perhaps a bit too influential — with other artists. Notably, Dibango reportedly sued both Michael Jackson and Rihanna for allegedly using the famed “Soul Makossa” hook in the songs “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” and “Don’t Stop the Music,” respectively, without permission.
During a career that stretched eight decades, Dibango performed with such musicians as Herbie Hancock, Fela Kuti and Angelique Kidjo, who referred to Dibango as “the original Giant of African Music” in a tribute posted on Twitter.
“Dear #ManuDibango, you’ve always been there for me from my beginnings in Paris to this rehearsal just 2 months ago! You re the original Giant of African Music and a beautiful human being. This coda of #SoulMakossa is for you!” she tweeted.
Verified
Dear #ManuDibango, you’ve always been there for me from my beginnings in Paris to this rehearsal just 2 months ago! You re the original Giant of African Music and a beautiful human being. This coda of #SoulMakossa is for you! pic.twitter.com/3pGoICwjCn— Angelique Kidjo (@angeliquekidjo) March 24, 2020
Other artists to react on social media to the sad news include Youssou N’Dour.
OH NON PAS TOI MANU DIBANGO. J'ai pas les mots pour traduire toute ma tristesse. Tu as été un grand frère, une fierté pour le Cameroun et pour l'Afrique toute entière. Une immense perte ! RIP le Roi de la Makossa et Génie de la Saxo. YN pic.twitter.com/XRJAeVLdiF
— YOUSSOU NDOUR (@YoussouNdourSN) March 24, 2020