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Makossa

The urban popular music of Douala that reached a worldwide audience in the 1970s.

By InsideKamer research deskPublished Updated Provisional — awaiting verification

This record is provisional: it was compiled from the cited sources but has not yet been checked by an InsideKamer editor.

Makossa is a popular music style that developed in Douala, in the Littoral region, and is closely associated with the Duala language.1 It took shape in the mid-twentieth century, drawing on local rhythms alongside highlife, jazz and Latin influences, and later on electric guitars and horn sections.1

The style reached a global audience with Manu Dibango's 1972 recording "Soul Makossa", which became an international hit.2 Since then makossa has continued to evolve and to influence other genres in Cameroon and beyond.1

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Sources and citations

  1. 1.
    Makossa
    WikipediaLast verified: Not yet verified

    Standard reference URL; not yet fetched by InsideKamer.

  2. 2.
    Manu Dibango
    WikipediaLast verified: Not yet verified

    Standard reference URL; not yet fetched by InsideKamer.

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