Songfacts®:

• A native of Cameroon, Dibango enjoyed a long career as a musician and songwriter, developing a fusion of jazz and African musical styles. This song, which came early in his career, was introduced to American listeners by legendary New York City radio DJ Frankie Crocker. He passed away on March 24, 2020 in Paris after contracting coronavirus.
• This song made the US Top 40 only briefly, but later became notable for two reasons. First is the refrain, "Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-kossa," which Michael Jackson borrowed for his 1983 hit "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'," but without Dibango's permission. Dibango eventually reached an out-of-court settlement with Jackson over the lyrics.
  
  Its second claim to fame is the pop culture phenomenon the song set in motion. "Soul Makossa" was so popular as a dance song that its style began to be emulated and further developed by American dance musicians and eventually took on a life of its own. Some consider it the first disco record. >>>

  Suggestion credit:
  Joshua - Twin Cities, MN, for above 2

Comments: 3

• Barry from Sauquoit, NySaxophonist, vibraphonist, and songwriter Manu Dibango passed away on March 24th, 2020 at a hospital in France of complications of COVID-19. He was 86 years old...
  Having grown up in Cameroon, Dibango attended high school in France, where he learned to play the saxophone. After leaving school, he began playing in Belgian nightclubs, then he became a member of the Congolese rumba group African Jazz. As a solo artist, Dibango collaborated with other notable musicians including Fela Kuti, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Youssou Ndour, and Bernie Worrell. His “Soul Makossa”* was a Top 40 hit in 1973 and was widely covered by other artists. Its chanted refrain, “mama ko, mama sa, maka makossa,” was adapted by Michael Jackson for his 1983 hit “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin'” and again by Rihanna for her 2007 “Don’t Stop the Music.” In 2009, Dibango sued both artists for using the hook without permission. Jackson admitted he borrowed the line and settled out of court...
  May he R.I.P.
  * "Soul Makossa" entered Billboard's Top 100 on June 17th, 1973 at position #88, five weeks later it would peak at #35 {for 2 weeks} and it spent nine weeks on the Top 100...
• Michelle from Richmond, VaThe bass line from this song was sampled by Jay-Z's "Face Off" from the In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 album
• Mike from Fort Lauderdale, Fl(These lyricks have been written phonecticly and are not in the actual language intended)
  
  Makoosa...Akeela
  Mama ko mama sa maka makoosa
  Mama ko mama sa maka makoosa
  Mama ko mama sa maka makoosa
  
  Heyyyy soul makoosa........Su maiyea
  Heyyyy soul makoosa........Atteele
  
  Heyyyy soul makoosa........Mosoma Mosoma
  Heyyyy soul makoosa........coma coma coma coma coma coma coma coma coma coma coma
  
  Tunga debo ombo e tunga nailso makosa
  
  anaamoona sisi aooo yasal makosa
  
  amona yeayea amona yeayea coma saou makosa
  
  Tunga tunga umbo te tunga nesa makosa
  
  Nikaso
  
  
  Mama ko mama sa maka makoosa
  Mama ko mama sa maka makoosa
  Mama ko mama sa maka makoosa
  Mama ko mama sa maka makoosa
  
  Vido...he he
  
  Nadea
  
  Heyyyy soul makoosa...... Makine
  Heyyyy soul makoosa......Mangola wakina
  
  Heyyyy soul makoosa......MOSAMA!
  Heyyyy soul makoosa............ynot domo
  
  
  MOODOK!
  
  mmmmm hmmmm
  
  Tunga tunga umbo te tunga nesa makosa now
  
  makoosa makoosa makoosa makoosa makoosa Bathaso mosoon
  
  
  Yonse yonse batha yonse makoosa
  
  
  Heyyyy soul makoosa
  Heyyyy soul makoosa
  Heyyyy soul makoosa
  Heyyyy soul makoosa
  Heyyyy soul makoosa
  Heyyyy soul makoosa
  Heyyyy soul makoosa
  Heyyyy soul makoosa
  Heyyyy soul makoosa...........Ahfray way bali de salinglay makoosa
  Heyyyy soul makoosa...........Mondiday oak amoon oohenga akyeah
  Heyyyy soul makoosa...........Nadamo ahne money money
  Heyyyy soul makoosa...........Musik ohano amoo

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