Rain of tribute for saxophonist Manu Dibango

Text by: RFI Follow

Many personalities have spoken to pay tribute to the Cameroonian artist who died on March 24 from the aftermath of the Covid-19 coronavirus. From Youssou N'dour to the members of his orchestra and the European Commission, everyone underlines the artist's generosity and his contribution to African music.

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“ Manu Dibango is legendary dad. It belongs to all African countries. He is not only Cameroonian. He is a Congolese, he is also an Ivorian. He is a Pan-African, he is Mr. Africa ”underlines another legend of African music, Koffi Olomidé. The Congolese rumba star was saddened as was Youssou N'dour , who was on Wednesday March 25 on RFI to tell the saxophonist. For the Senegalese singer, " it's a huge loss for humanity ".

► To read also : Death of Manu Dibango, from "Soul Makossa" to world music

The Beninese star talks about the support that Manu Dibango could give him at the start of his career in a video on Twitter where we can see them both playing and singing together:

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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

Serge Maboma who was part of the Macase group, the orchestra which has accompanied the artist on his tours for the past ten years also expresses his sorrow. Close to him, he describes him as the pro of improvisation: “ For him, repetition was sacred. He had to prepare things well but he always left room for the unexpected. "

Serge Maboma of the Manu Dibango orchestra reacts

Franck Riester, French Minister of Culture, says on Twitter: “ The music world is losing one of its legends. Manu Dibango's generosity and talent 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 . ” His predecessor, Jack Lang, is also moved by the death of the Cameroonian star: “ The disappearance of Manu Dibango tears the hearts of all his friends. I was personally linked to him by years of fighting for music. He was an incomparably generous and passionate man ”.

(Re) listen to our special editions of March 24:

Special edition: Manu Dibango, part 1

Special edition: Manu Dibango, part 2

Even the European Commission went so far as to issue a press release concerning him: " We offer our deep condolences to his friends and family. Cameroon has lost a prominent artist and we share the sadness of the Cameroonian people. "

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• Africa
• Cameroon
• World music
• Music
• Culture

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