Tag: blues
Nkodo SITONY
Nkodo Sitony: his life, his musical significance and legacy 👇
🎤 Who he was
Nkodo Sitony — real name Nkodo Si Tobi François — was a Cameroonian singer, born on 25 August 1959 in New Bell (Douala, Cameroon).
He passed away on 21 December 2021 in Yaoundé, at age 62.
Wikipedia, Actu Cameroun
🎶 Musical Career & Style
Nkodo Sitony was one of the main figures of Bikutsi — a traditional/popular musical genre from Cameroon.
He is often credited with modernizing Bikutsi during the 1980s.
His musical background included percussion, guitar, balafon, and more: he blended traditional rhythms with influences from afrobeat, high-life, and modern instrumentation.
Cameroun24, Afrik
📀 Achievements & Influence
Over a 40-year career span, he produced about 25 albums.
ÔCamer.com, cameroonconcordnews.com
His 1986 album 90° de Bikutsi à l’ombre became iconic: it earned him, in 1988, the awards for “Song of the Year” and “Artist of the Year.”
Some of his most famous songs — still regarded as classics in Cameroon — include Mba Mvoe, Métil Wa, Ngoan Ezoum, and Wa Yi Ma Wo Ya.
Beyond music, his style — mixing traditional rhythms and instruments with modern sounds — helped pave the way for “techno-Bikutsi” or modern Bikutsi, influencing subsequent generations of Cameroonian musicians.
💔 Death & Legacy
After a long illness, Nkodo Sitony died on 21 December 2021 in Yaoundé.
He left behind a large discography and remains celebrated as one of the legends of Bikutsi and Cameroonian music.
His music continues to resonate today: many Cameroonians (and fans of African music) still listen to his songs; his fusion of tradition and modernity remains influential.
ESA . Stephane DAYAS
ESA’ the stage name for Stephan Dayas Nguea, is a Cameroonian musician, singer, and producer known for blending traditional African rhythms with modern soul and funk.
Early Life and Musical Origins
Family Background: Born into a musical family, his father was a guitarist during the German protectorate era in Cameroon. He developed his passion for music alongside his brother, George Dayas Wonjamouna, influenced by 1960s African sounds like Makossa, highlife, and Congolese music.
ESA Formation: The name “ESA” (pronounced “ESSA”) comes from the Sawa people of southwest Cameroon, meaning “evocative magic” or “spiritual contact”. Originally formed in 1986 in Douala as a duo with Martin Socko Moukoko, the project eventually became Stephan Dayas’s solo venture. Source: AI Google
Jacky DOUMBE
Jacky Doumbé is a musician and singer known for his work in Afro-Pop and Makossa, styles of popular music rooted in Cameroon’s musical traditions. His recordings include songs and releases that have appeared on platforms like Apple Music and Shazam.
About Jacky Doumbé
Genre & Style: Primarily Afro-Pop and Makossa, a vibrant dance-oriented music genre from Cameroon.
Releases: He has released material such as the EP Mum’a akwala (1985), featuring multiple tracks in the Afro-Pop tradition.
Songs: Known single/track titles attributed to him include:
“Petit jeune homme” — performed and written by Jacky Doumbé.
“Lambo lam” — another track credited to him in Afro-Pop style.
Tracks like “Lo si wanea mba” appear on albums such as Monoki on streaming services.
Les Black Styls
Les Black Styls (parfois écrit Les Black Styl) est un groupe camerounais emblématique dans l’histoire du makossa. Voici un aperçu de qui ils sont et pourquoi ils sont importants :
Qui sont Les Black Styls
Le groupe a été fondé vers 1972 par Nkotti François, un des grands noms du makossa.
Afrisson
African Grooves
Membres clés :
Émile Kangue (bassiste)
Emile Kangue
Toto Guillaume (guitariste)
Wikipedia
Mouellé Jean, Guy Lobé, entre autres, ont aussi fait partie du groupe.
African Grooves
Le groupe joue principalement du makossa, un genre populaire originaire du Cameroun.
Afrisson
Ils commencent leurs performances dans des bars de Douala, notamment le bar Mermoz.
Emile Kangue
Leur popularité les mènera jusqu’en France, où ils enregistrent des albums (“Black Styl à Paris”). Actu Cameroun
En 1978, ils enregistrent à Paris au Studio Harrison. Afrisson
Le groupe se réunit plus tard (dans les années 1990) avec certains membres originaux comme Émile Kangue. Afrisson
Leur Style et Influence
Leur musique mélange des éléments de funk, soul et disco avec le makossa traditionnel, ce qui en faisait un groupe très dansant et moderne pour l’époque. African Grooves
Ils ont contribué à populariser le makossa dans les années 1970, en étant parmi les groupes “phare” du genre. Afrisson
L’un de leurs morceaux emblématiques est « Black Styl Mwassa », qui est comme un hymne du groupe. Actu Cameroun
Membres Notables
Nkotti François : leader du groupe. Afrisson
Émile Kangue : bassiste, également chanteur/compositeur, et “icône” du groupe.
Toto Guillaume : guitariste influent, il a d’ailleurs donné le nom au groupe.
Wikipedia
Importance dans le Makossa
Les Black Styls représentent la “deuxième vague” du makossa, quand le genre évolue vers des sonorités plus modernes (funk, disco). Transatlantic Cultures
Ils sont cités parmi les acteurs majeurs qui ont amené le makossa camerounais à un public plus large, y compris international.
The Africa Report
Leur musique continue d’être redécouverte aujourd’hui, notamment via des labels ou des sites spécialisés qui rééditent leurs titres.
African Grooves
ChatGPT
La Diva Charlotte DIPANDA
Spotlight on Charlotte Dipanda’s Musical Journey
1. Musical Style and Influence:
Charlotte Dipanda’s music is deeply rooted in African traditions, particularly the Bikutsi and Makossa genres, both of which originate from Cameroon. She seamlessly blends these traditional styles with contemporary elements like Afropop and R&B, which has allowed her to reach a broader, international audience. Her voice is often described as soulful and emotive, giving her songs a unique depth and richness.
Bikutsi: This genre, associated with the Beti people of Central Cameroon, is known for its rhythmic drumming and fast-paced, lively beats. Charlotte’s fusion of Bikutsi with modern sounds helps keep the genre fresh and appealing.
Makossa: Another style of music from Cameroon, characterized by upbeat rhythms and African danceable grooves. Charlotte’s incorporation of this style allows her to blend cultural authenticity with universal appeal.
2. Early Career & Breakthrough:
Charlotte Dipanda first made waves in the mid-2000s, thanks to her debut album, “Missa” (2006), which was well-received both in Cameroon and across Africa. The album’s success helped solidify her as one of the rising stars of Cameroonian music. She quickly became known for her beautiful, heartfelt lyrics and melodic compositions.
Her career took another leap forward in 2010 with her second album “Nasek” which included tracks that not only charted in Cameroon but also gained international attention, leading to performances in Europe and other parts of the world.
ChatGPT
