Africa’s loss of Manu Dibango, her foremost musical legend, is a sad reminder that huge gaps are being left with the exits of the leading lights of the world. Gaps that may never be filled.

Manu was among the earliest creative artistes to fuse his indigenous Makossa dance with modern funk and jazz.

Throughout the world, Manu Dibango remains a most delighttful entertainer. Dibango”s most cherished music, which he wrote to honour the continent that served him with the richest variety of culture, colour, dance and artistic creativity include the early Makossa hits namely, Africa, Mboa Su, Ah Freak Sans Fric, Oh Koh and Frozen Soul to mention but a few.

In the African arena of music there is hardly any to fill the lacuna of such departed greats as Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, Joseph Shabalala and Manu Dibango. Sadly there might never be.

Afro-jazz legend Manu Dibango dies after contracting coronavirus

Shared From ALJAZEERA News

Renowned Afro-jazz star Manu Dibango has died after contracting the new coronavirus, his representatives and official Facebook page have announced.

The 86-year-old Cameroonian, best known for the 1972 hit, Soul Makossa, is one of the first worldwide stars to die as a result of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.

“He died early this morning in a hospital in the Paris region,” his music publisher Thierry Durepaire said.

A message on his official Facebook page confirmed that his death had come after he contracted COVID-19.

“His funeral service will be held in strict privacy, and a tribute to his memory will be organized when possible,” the message said.

Funerals in France have been limited to 20 people who are in the closest circle of the deceased because of a lockdown to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

His biggest hit was the B-side of a song to support the Cameroon football team in the African Cup of Nations but was picked up and popularised by New York DJs.

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