Henri Dikongué
Henri Dikongue (pronounced "On-ree Dee-kong-ay") has been one of the spearheads in the revival of the acoustic sounds of Cameroon. In contrast to the African country's high-spirited, heavily electronic dance styles of zouk and makossa, Dikongue has taken a more introspective and melodic direction with his music. While his debut 1995 album, Wa (You), was marked by outspoken commentary about the military regime, racism and difficulties of post-colonial life in Cameroon, Dikongue took a more reflective approach with his second album, C'est La Vie, which was released in 1998. Dedicated to the late Nigerian vocalist Fela Kuti and late American actor Robert Mitchum, the album reached the top slot on music charts in Europe. Although Cameroonean rhythms remain the foundation of Dikongue's music, his songs reflect influences as diverse as reggae, samba, salsa, soul music and jazz. Dikongue cites late Cameroonean composer Eboa Lotin, vibrato-heavy vocalist/poet Pierre Akendengue and Armenian-born French singer-composer Charles Aznavour as influences. Born to a upper middle class family in the capital city of Yaounde, Dikongue spent several years in South Africa, singing in an Anglican church choir. Moving to Paris in 1989 with plans to attend law school, Dikongue decided instead to enroll in a music school. The decision displeased his parents, who withdrew their financial support. Dikongue remained in Paris, supporting himself as a dishwasher and mover while studying music and composition. Although Dikongue sings in the Dovuala language, he writes his songs in French and works with a translator. His cousin, Cathy Renoir, has played an important role in his sound, singing harmonies on 1995's Wa, 1998's C'est la Vie, and 2000's Mot'a Babe.
© Craig Harris /TiVo
Artistas semelhantes
Discografia
11 álbum(ns) • Ordenado por Mais vendidos
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Derrière ton masque
Miscellaneous - Lançado por Jazz Out Prod em 27 de out. de 2023
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
C'est la Vie (Studio)
World - Lançado por Wambo Productions em 7 de set. de 1997
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Biso Nawa
Africa - Lançado por Jazz Out Production em 4 de abr. de 2005
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Session Acoustique (Acoustique)
World - Lançado por Jazz Out Production em 10 de mar. de 2020
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Wa
World - Lançado por Wambo Productions em 1 de jan. de 1995
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
N'oublie jamais
Africa - Lançado por Jazz Out Production em 4 de abr. de 2000
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
C'est la vie: acoustique
World - Lançado por Jazz Out Production em 25 de fev. de 2020
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Diaspora
Africa - Lançado por Jazz Out Production em 5 de abr. de 2016
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Diaspora
World - Lançado por Jazz Out Prod em 5 de abr. de 2016
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo