Paris (AFP)

"Sadness", "Immense loss": like the Senegalese singer Youssou Ndour, the music world mourns the Cameroonian afro-jazz legend, Manu Dibango, who died of the Covid-19.

- Martin Meissonnier, DJ and historical producer of world music, to AFP: "It's a huge loss, it's not easy to speak ... His legacy, immense, will stay, his creativity was great, he made people dance with incredible efficiency. I am devastated by his death. The first time I saw him, I was 14-15 years old, I was a fan. Since then we have remained friends. he, who later brought me into Afro-Music magazine. And since I've been producing records, he hasn't stopped giving me good advice. He was not a snob, he was the snob's enemy. Unlike those who despised him, who didn't understand what he was doing. He made people happy. He was always ready, as soon as there was something he could blow ( in his sax), he was going ".

- Tony Allen, Nigerian star drummer, AFP: "I can't forget the albums we recorded together after our meeting in Lagos. Albums like + Negropolitan + and + Wakafrika +, and concerts we did together. Manu my great friend and brother. May his soul rest in perfect peace ".

- Koffi Olomide, star of Congolese rumba, to AFP: "Manu Dibango, he's legendary dad. He belongs to all the countries of Africa. He is not only Cameroonian. He is a Congolese, he is also an Ivorian. He's a Pan-African, he's Mr. Africa. "

- Ray Lema, Congolese figure of African music, to AFP: "It is a deep sadness which animates me, because this gentleman had become a friend, a brother, a partner. I saw him arriving in Congo, it was for us a ray of sunshine which passed on our premises. It was the first instrumentalist musician who did not depend on any group. He taught us this freedom of the musician. He was a bon vivant, so happy, and he loved music so much. He was a passionate being who didn't do things by halves. "

- Youssou Ndour, singer, on Twitter: "OH NO NOT YOU MANU DIBANGO. I have no words to express all my sadness. You were a big brother, a pride for Cameroon and for all of Africa. immense loss! RIP the King of Makossa and Génie (du) Saxo ".

- Angélique Kidjo, singer from Benin, on Twitter: "Dear Manu Dibango, you have always been there for me from my beginnings in Paris, until these rehearsals two months ago. You are the giant of African music and a being magnificent human ".

- Didier Drogba, former Ivorian star footballer, on Twitter: "Thank you for all the artist, thank you for placing African music on the (roof of the world) all these years, from Michael Jackson to Rihanna. Rest in Peace Papa Manu. My condolences to all his family, in Cameroon to Africa and to the musical world. "

- Franck Riester, French Minister of Culture, on Twitter: "The world of music loses one of its legends. The generosity and talent of Manu Dibango knew no boundaries. Each time he went on stage, he gave himself without restraint to his audience to make them vibrate with emotion. I think of his family and loved ones. "

- The European Commission, in a press release: "We offer our deep condolences to his friends and family. Cameroon has lost an eminent artist and we share the sadness of the Cameroonian people."

- Jamel Debbouze, on Instagram: "Manu, you have been the light for many people, you helped me open the Comedy club and above all you married me".

- JoeyStarr, half of NTM, on Instagram: "Manu RIP. Everything screwed up. Soul Makossa. Musician. Genius. Covid-19. Stay the fuck home (" Stay in your fucking house ").

pgr-jfg-may-chc / alu / stb

© 2020 AFP