Last week, 86-year-old Cameroonian saxophonist Manu Dibango died of COVID-19. Dibango’s music shook the world: His discography spans six decades and at least as many genres, with forays into jazz, funk, and hip-hop.
Over roughly 60 albums as a singer, songwriter, composer, and instrumentalist, Dibango showed the world a staggering range of African music, but his biggest impact was felt in his homeland. “Everyone I know grew up on him—all generations,” says Jovi, 36, a Cameroonian rapper and producer.
Grammy-winning Cameroonian bassist Richard Bona concurs: “We are all Manu’s children.” Though best known for his 1972 hit “Soul Makossa,” Dibango was an active artist all the way up to his passing.