Zangalewa

Zangalewa was a popular Cameroonian makossa music group, originally known as Golden Sounds. Formed in 1984, the core members, including band leader Jean Paul Zé Bella, Victor Dooh Belley, and Emile Kojidie, were active members of the Cameroonian Presidential Guard. The group was renowned for their comical stage performances, which often featured them dressing in military uniforms, pith helmets, and stuffing their clothes with pillows to satirize the appearance of well-fed, high-ranking military officers. Their biggest hit was the 1986 song "Zangalewa," which translates roughly to "Who called you?" and contains lyrics with multilayered social and military commentary, paying tribute to African soldiers while also being interpreted as a critique of officers who collaborated with colonial powers. The song was a massive success across Africa and even gained significant popularity in Colombia. Due to the song's overwhelming popularity, the group eventually renamed themselves Zangalewa. The song achieved global recognition decades later when its chorus was famously sampled by Shakira for the 2010 FIFA World Cup anthem, "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)."

Top Tracks

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Zangalewa

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Zangalewa (Waka Waka) - Parisian Soul Edit

3

maladie difficile à soigner

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Un bébé

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Caporal Grille

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Malumba

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Zangalewa (Waka Waka) - Parisian Soul Rework

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Zozo

9

Kadjal

10

L'amour existe

Top Albums

Caporal Grille

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Zangalewa (Waka Waka)

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The Best Of Zangalewa

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