Two Outstanding African Musicians Killed By Coronavirus, Manu Dibango And Aurlus Mabele

After the coronavirus pandemic broke out in China, Europe, and the USA, advanced nations' initial assumptions about Africa were that the continent would be severely affected by a large number of cases because it has a history of rapid virus spread, fragile healthcare, and challenging disease control. However, only a small number of people were impacted, including two well-known artists, Manu Dibango and Aurlus Mabele, whose deaths occurred in Paris rather than in Africa.

Who was Aurlus Mabele, the master of Soukous music from the Congo? That quick tempo and those urgent-sounding arpeggio guitar riffs are what make Aurlus Mabele's music unique. The instrumental parts of almost all of his songs are lengthy, keeping him moving while he describes the Congolese Soukous. The French word for shake served as the inspiration for the name since Mabele occasionally shook sensually. Mabele, who was 67 years old, reportedly passed away from a coronavirus.

Aurlus Mabele died in France from complications of the coronavirus on March 19, 2020

Liza Monet, a French musician and the daughter of Mabele, announced on her Twitter page in French, saying, "Mon dad est dead ce matin du coronavirus... Merci d’honoré sa mémoire . C’est une grande légende du Soukouss que le peuple congolais perd aujourd’hui . Je suis inconsolable et effondrée. Mon papa que j’aime tant … Aurlus Mabele …

I'm @LizaMOfficiel. March 19, 2020
Translation: "This morning, my dad passed away from a coronavirus... I appreciate you keeping his memory alive. The Congolese people have lost a wonderful Soukous legend today. I've lost it and am inconsolable. My dearly beloved father... Aurlus Mabele.

As a writer who has spoken with many great musicians with African roots, including Lucky Dube, Julian Marley, Andrew Tosh, ASWAD, Leroy Brown, Gregory Isaacs, Joseph "Culture" Hill, Luciano, Sheun Kuti, U-Roy, and many others, I never had the chance to meet Aurlus Mabele; however, it was the best time for me when I met Manu Dibango in Antwerp twice at Mano- Mundo and Pole-Pole Festivals.

According to a statement posted on his official Facebook page, the legendary jazz saxophonist, well known for his 1972 hit "Soul Makossa," passed away at the age of 86 due to complications from the coronavirus. The saxophonist and vocalist from Cameroon passed away in a hospital close to Paris. Dibango released numerous records throughout his career and performed in every part of the world, regardless of the genre.

The genuine international superstar played with everyone who would play with him after being sent to Paris at the age of 15 to prepare for a professional career. I had the chance to interview the world-traveling artist when he was asked to perform at the "Pole-pole festival" in Gent once more in Antwerp; here are the excerpts.

Joel Savage interviews Manu Dibango. The musician died in France on March 24, 2020

Joel: You have given so much to African music on a global scale as an African performer. What do you think of this accomplishment?

Manu: I'm glad I'm still in motion. I don't consider my prior successes. What I'm going to do tomorrow is what matters the most. I'm content with what I did. Thanks be to God.

Joel: Your worldwide smash "Soul Makossa" swept the globe in 1972. You have since remained active in the music industry. What keeps you moving all these years?

Manu: Passion "La passion." What I want African youths to have is passion because if you have passion, you can easily accept suffering and when there is no passion, you have to try to cultivate it. If you can do that, then you can bring out the best of yourself.

Joel: You assisted in raising money for the famine-stricken Ethiopia with your "Tam-tams for Ethiopia project" in 1985, which you co-led with Mory Kante and other individuals. What do you think of the political climate right now in Ethiopia?

Manu: Speaking of Ethiopia is equivalent to speaking of Africa as a whole. We competed against AIDS and starvation a month ago. Also, we performed in Dakar. The activities of doctors, athletes, and journalists are also contributing in many ways to the topic of challenges affecting Africa, so it's not just music that is vital in this regard.

Joel: You and the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti are reportedly two of the top saxophonists in the world, according to an international music journal I recently read. What are your thoughts on this?

Manu: That is wonderful to hear. You are aware that someone doesn't play music nonstop for hours on end. However, you perform music because you are passionate about it, and if people enjoy what I'm proposing, that makes me happy. Even though music is a business, you don't start worrying about money when you first get into the industry. You first ask people what they want, and if they accept your proposal, money will follow.

Joel: I saw you perform at the Mano-Mundo festival last year when the hysterical crowd demanded more songs. What were you feeling at the time?

Manu: You can see that I'm still moving, though. You occasionally play music for the audience and the greatest joy an artist can experience is that. On stage, there are other performers besides me. Therefore, the listener is happier with the song as it becomes more successful. An artist must satisfy their followers. That is a proposition. I am always talking about propositions.

Joel: One of your American fans who is based there asked you this question. I have to know why you constantly perform in Europe and Africa but not in the United States.

Manu: I'll be there if they want me to be. I travel to each nation that requests Manu. Those who want me to play are in contact with my management, as do I. I've performed in Canada and a few South American countries. In the 1970s, I spent two years living in America. The most significant factor is that people enjoy my music.

Joel: Another fan of yours has a question for you. He claimed that when he was young, he had heard that Michael Jackson had been sued by you for using the word "Makossa" in his music without your consent. Is it true?

Manu: That is true. It is a long time story in 1986, but the issue has long since been resolved.

Joel: I believe you're in your seventies now; what's your secret to staying in shape?

Manu: If I have a secret of what keeps me young, I'll sell it without a doubt. (He laughed) I already told you. It's a passion.

Joel: You released "The Rough Guide of Manu Dibango" in 1994. What do you have in store for your devoted followers around the world?

Manu: Well, at the moment I have a big band in France. "Marabuti" is the name. We are going to the studios to record in autumn since we have significant projects coming up now and in the future.

Joel: Thank you so much for the interview, sir.

Manu: You are welcome.