Golden Sounds, later known as Zangaléwa, was a
makossa
Makossa is a Cameroonian style of urban music. Like much other late 20th century music of Sub-Saharan Africa, it uses strong electric bass rhythms and prominent brass. In the 1980s makossa had a wave of mainstream success across Africa and to a ...
group from
Cameroon
Cameroon (; french: Cameroun, ff, Kamerun), officially the Republic of Cameroon (french: République du Cameroun, links=no), is a country in west-central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west and north; Chad to the northeast; the C ...
, formed in 1984 by active members of Cameroon's
presidential guard
Presidential Guard may refer to:
*President Guard Regiment (Bangladesh)
*Presidential Guard Regiment (Turkey)
*Presidential Guard (Greece)
*Presidential Guard (Belarus)
*Presidential Guard (South Vietnam)
*President's Own Guard Regiment (Ghana)
* ...
: Jean Paul Zé Bella, Dooh Belley, Luc Eyebe and Emile Kojidie. The group is most famous for its song, "
Zangaléwa", which was a huge hit in Africa after its release in 1986, and was revived in 2010 when
Shakira
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll ( , ; born 2 February 1977), professionally known by the mononym Shakira, is a Colombian singer and songwriter. Born and raised in Barranquilla, she has been referred to as the " Queen of Latin Music" and is n ...
sampled it for the
2010 FIFA World Cup
, image = 2010 FIFA World Cup.svg
, size = 200px
, caption = ''Ke Nako. (Tswana and Sotho for "It's time") Celebrate Africa's Humanity'It's time. Celebrate Africa's Humanity'' (English)''Dis tyd. Vier Afrika se mensd ...
as
Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)
"Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)", also known as "Waka Waka (Esto es África)" in Spanish, is a song by Colombian singer Shakira, featuring the South African band Freshlyground. Written, composed, and produced by Shakira and John Hill, it was ...
.
It remains unclear as to when the group broke up exactly, however its two websites became inactive in 2016.
History
The Golden Sounds originate from the Orchestra of the Republican Guard of Cameroon's Presidency. Four gendarmes from the orchestra provided comical musical entertainment, often dressing in military uniforms, wearing pith helmets and stuffing their clothes with pillows to appear like they had swollen bottoms from riding the train and fat stomachs from eating too much.
The song was also popular in
Colombia where it was known as "The Military", and brought to the country by West African
DJs. The song made its band so popular that the band itself later changed the name of the group to Zangaléwa, which means in
Ewondo, a Cameroonian language, "Who Called You?" (Za'nga'lowa).
Two civilians, Robert Kero and the female singer Annie Anzouer and later joined the group.
In 1993, Annie Anzouer was replaced in the lineup by Viviane Etienne.
Etienne also left the group afterwards to pursue a solo career.
The group also consists of several other supporting members.
Jean Paul ze Bella has since retired from the presidential guard in 2002 after 30 years of service, but his song stands as an icon of Cameroonian military history.
Discography
Albums
Singles
* "
Zangaléwa" (1986)
* "Maladie Difficile" (1986)
* "Un bébé" (1991)
Awards
References
{{Authority control
Cameroonian musical groups