The story of this young woman born in Yaoundé could almost be a fairy tale, as her rise was so rapid, a sign of a natural talent that today takes on its full dimension.
The young Cameroonian started out as a backing singer in the studio and on stage. She accompanied the greatest artists such as Manu DIBANGO or Rokia TRAORE before joining the Gospel pour 100 voix choir with which she performed in the Zeniths of France alongside artists such as Axelle RED.
In 2009, she gave her career a decisive turn by devoting herself to her solo adventure. A few months later, Charlotte DIPANDA "gave birth" to her "first baby" named MISPA. This first album was recorded in Paris with Guy Nsangue, THE reference of Cameroonian bass players. Fulfilling perfectly his role of producer, he knew how to understand the acoustic universe that the young woman likes and give to the whole a nice coherence, leaning at times on the side of makossa while passing by afrobeat.
With this project, she has toured the stages of France and has been propelled to the rank of star in Cameroon, her native land, where she now plays to full houses. She has continued to rub shoulders with artists from the continent who see her as a worthy representative of singing in the tradition of African divas.
After more than 200 concerts, she offers the public a second
album. The same sobriety as on Mispa is present, but with an extra touch of
maturity. This album, tinged with emotion, takes us on a journey through the
melodies, a clever mix of traditional music, jazz and acoustics with lyrics in
Douala, Bakaka and French. At the turn of a title, we have the beautiful
surprise to find Richard BONA in duet as well as Jacob DESVARIEUX, the famous
singer of Kassav. If we linger on the album cover, we have the joy of
discovering another collaboration, that of Lokua KANZA who wrote the song
Kumb'élolo. "Dube L'am" tells beautiful stories. "Dube
L'am", which means "my faith", translates Charlotte's
convictions and all those things she believes in. This naivety that she always
sees the best in others.
♫ Video Clip: 2012 – Charlotte Dipanda ft. Richard Bona – Bodimbea 4:24
♫ Live: 2014 – Charlotte Dipanda live @ l’Européan Paris 12/02/2014 – Coucou 7:47
Charlotte Dipanda always looks at us straight on her third album. This symbolic evolution is reflected in the new songs and in the artistic approach of the Cameroonian singer, who has already won the hearts of her compatriots.
Through the ten songs of Massa, the young woman establishes a direct dialogue, does not hesitate to take a stand to talk about her country, and also expresses her bitterness on Elle n'a pas vu, which evokes her grandmother who is so present in her.
For this new project, her openness towards her native continent and the cultures that come from it is reflected in the choice of her collaborators: the Cape Verdean "Nando" (Fernando Andrade) who worked for Cesaria Evora for a long time, the guitarists Hervé Samb from Senegal and OlivierTshimanga from Congo or the Brazilian percussionist Zé Luis Nascimento.
♫ Video Clip: 2015 – Charlotte Dipanda – Ndolo Bukate (Un peu d’amour) 3:21
Long-time partner, bassist Guy Nsangue, translates Charlotte's artistic desires as a producer, to better convey the emotions of this voice that is ageless and gently penetrates the soul.
In 2018 she released her fourth album, A day in my life, recorded in Paris and Los Angeles. Once again, bassist Guy Nsangue guarantees beautiful arrangements and a highly professional production. As a guest, Charlotte has managed to enlist Nigerian star Yemi Alade. In the upbeat closing number 'Dumea', she sings a duet with Cameroonian Ambass-Bey legend Salle John. She celebrated the release of this album with two huge concerts in Douala and Yaoundé and a totally new show in the mythical Grand Rex in Paris.
♫ Live: 2018 – Charlotte Dipanda & Salle John live au Grand Rex Paris 15/09/2018 – Dumea 8:18
In early 2021, Charlotte Dipanda will release her fifth and, according to her, most personal album. It is not for nothing that the album title is formed by her initials; 'CD'. The album contains 10 songs, including a duet with her buddy Singuila and is released on Universal Africa.
The fact that Charlotte Dipanda is now 'a big lady' in African pop music was recently confirmed when Koffi Olomide invited her to record a duet entitled 'Mon Amour'.
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