Henri Dikongué

Henri Dikongue, whose name is pronounced "On-ree Dee-kong-ay," emerged as a leading figure reviving Cameroon’s acoustic musical heritage. Instead of following the upbeat, synthesizer-driven dance genres zouk and makossa that dominate the country, he pursued a quieter, more melodic path. His first release, the 1995 album Wa (You), delivered direct criticism of the military regime, racism, and the struggles of post-colonial existence in Cameroon. By contrast, the 1998 follow-up C’est La Vie adopted a contemplative tone; dedicated to the late Nigerian vocalist Fela Kuti and the late American actor Robert Mitchum, it climbed to the top slot on music charts in Europe. Although Cameroonian rhythms anchor his work, the songs also draw from reggae, samba, salsa, soul music, and jazz. Dikongue names the late Cameroonean composer Eboa Lotin, the vibrato-heavy vocalist/poet Pierre Akendengue, and the Armenian-born French singer-composer Charles Aznavour among his key inspirations. Raised in an upper middle class family in the capital Yaounde, he lived for several years in South Africa, where he performed with an Anglican church choir. He relocated to Paris in 1989 intending to study law, yet chose instead to attend music school, a choice that prompted his parents to end their financial assistance. Remaining in the city, he sustained himself through work as a dishwasher and mover while completing his studies in music and composition. Although he sings in the Dovuala language, Dikongue composes his lyrics in French and collaborates with a translator. His cousin, Cathy Renoir, contributed vocal harmonies to the 1995 album Wa, the 1998 album C’est La Vie, and the 2000 album Mot'a Babe.