Manfred Ebanda 1935 - 2003

Along with Mouelle Guillaume, Epee Mbende and Nelle Eyoum, Manfred Ebanda is one of the pioneers of Makossa. He is best known for Amio, a song he wrote at the age of 24 years, about his love for Amie Brigitte Essomba.

Ebanda Manfred does nothing with the song after the recording itself and even fails to record its rights. It is therefore Francis Bebey who, for the first time, is successful with it a year later after he recorded it for his new album. Afterwards Amio is included in their repertoire by many artists, culminating in the interpretation by Bebe Manga, who won a "Maracas d'Or" in 1980. From that moment there is no stopping. It starts with an interpretation by the West Indian Astasia Andre under the title "Alimentation". This is followed by the French star Henri Salvador in 1982. In Africa itself it is Manu Dibango, Monique Seka, Papa Wemba and Nyanka Bell who cover the song.


The song also continues to inspire the younger generations. In 1999 the first rap version followed by Bisso Na Bisso and in 2005 African Connection was successful with a Coupé-Decalé version of the song. 50 years have passed since Ebanda Manfred Amio wrote and the song has more than proved that it belongs in the category of global classics such as Malaika and Juantanamera.

For Manfred Ebanda itself, it all didn't deliver that much. During his lifetime, he estimated it to be around $ 20,000, stating that he had received absolutely nothing from the radio and TV rights.

♫ Audio: 1980 Bébé Manga - Amio

♫ Audio: 1983 Manfred Ebanda – Osi Wasa

 

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