ABOUT

Ozileka - Established in 1975. - Founded by Francis Bebey, the influential Cameroonian musician, writer and composer. - Francis Bebey was born in Douala, Cameroon, on 15 July 1929. Bebey attended college in Douala, where he studied mathematics, before going to study broadcasting at the University of Paris. Moving to the United States, he continued to study broadcasting at New York University. In 1957, Bebey moved to Ghana at the invitation of Kwame Nkrumah, and took a job as a broadcaster. - In the early 1960s, Bebey moved to France and started work in the arts, establishing himself as a musician, sculptor, and writer. He was also the first African musician to use electric keyboards and programmable drum machines which he set alongside off the traditional African instruments. His most popular novel was Agatha Moudio's Son. While working at UNESCO from 1961-74, he was able to become the head of the music department in Paris. This job allowed him to research and document traditional African music. - Bebey released his first album in 1969. Bebey released over 20 albums on Ozileka, between 1975 and 1997. His music was primarily guitar-based, but he integrated traditional African instruments and synthesizers as well. Though Bebey is currently praised for his music, his musical taste created controversy with his native music when he first started off. His style merged Cameroonian makossa with classical guitar, jazz, and pop, and was considered by critics to be groundbreaking, "intellectual, humorous, and profoundly sensual". He sang in Duala, English, and French. - Bebey helped launch the career of Manu Dibango. Bebey released more than 20 albums over his career, and was also known for his poetry, including Black tears (1963), a poem dedicated to the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. - Bebey had a major role in popularizing the n'dehou, a one-note bamboo flute created by the Central African pygmies. Due to their shorter stature and isolated habitats, a lot is not known about the pygmies but Bebey took it upon himself to learn more about their culture from the African pygmies themselves, especially their music and then shared that knowledge with the world.