- Francis Bebey
Francis Bebey (1929–2001) was a
Cameroon ian artist,musician , andwriter . Bebey was born in 1929 inDouala , Cameroon. He attended theSorbonne andParis ,France , and received further education in theUnited States . In 1957, Bebey moved toGhana at the invitation ofKwame Nkrumah to all Africans from non-independent territories. Bebey took a job as a broadcaster.DeLancey and DeLancey 48.]In the early 1960s, Bebey moved to France and started work in the arts, establishing himself as a musician, sculptor, and writer. His most popular novel was "
Agatha Moudio's Son ". His writing and music often cross-fertilised, and he performed a song by that name, as well. He also worked as a consultant forUNESCO .Bebey released his first album in 1969.Hudgens and Trillo 1182.] His music was primarily
guitar -based, although he integrated traditional African instruments as well. His style was groundbreaking, merging Cameroonianmakossa withclassical guitar ,jazz , and pop. in a mix that could be intellectual, humorous, or serious. He sang in Duala, English, and French. Bebey had a strong impact on later performers. He gaveManu Dibango his big break when Dibango came to work for him in Paris, for example. [Mbaku 198.] Bebey released more than 20 albums over his career. He died in 2001. [West 19.]Notes
References
* DeLancey, Mark W., and Mark Dike DeLancey (2000): "Historical Dictionary of the Republic of Cameroon" (3rd ed.). Lanham, Maryland: The Scarecrow Press.
* Hudgens, Jim, and Richard Trillo (1999). "West Africa: The Rough Guide". 3rd ed. London: Rough Guides Ltd.
* Mbaku, John Mukum (2005). "Culture and Customs of Cameroon". Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press.
* West, Ben (2004). "Cameroon: The Bradt Travel Guide". Guilford, Connecticut: The Globe Pequot Press Inc.
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