The Legacy of Manu Dibango Through James BKS

When legendary Cameroonian saxophonist and composer Manu Dibango passed away in 2020, many wondered who would carry forward his musical legacy. The answer was already making waves in the music industry: his son, James BKS.

Born James Edjouma, James BKS has forged his own path in music while honoring his father's groundbreaking contributions. As a producer who has worked with the likes of Diddy, Talib Kweli, and French rapper Booba, James brings a contemporary sensibility to the Afro-jazz foundations laid by his father.

A Unique Musical Journey

What makes James BKS's story particularly interesting is that he didn't grow up with Dibango. Raised in France by his mother and adoptive father, James only connected with Manu Dibango as an adult, after already establishing himself in the music industry.

This reunion with his biological father sparked a musical rebirth for James. While he had been successful producing hip-hop in the United States, reconnecting with Dibango inspired him to explore his Cameroonian roots and incorporate African sounds into his production.

Bridging Worlds

James BKS's music serves as a bridge between generations and genres. His track "Kwele," featuring Dibango himself alongside Allan Kingdom and Manu's longtime collaborator Marthe, perfectly exemplifies this fusion of traditional Cameroonian elements with contemporary production techniques.

Through his label Grown Kid Records, he's also helping to promote other Cameroonian electronic artists to global audiences.

Preserving and Innovating

Since Dibango's passing, James has taken on the dual responsibility of preserving his father's musical legacy while continuing to innovate. His approach isn't to simply mimic Dibango's style but to build upon it, bringing those sounds to new audiences through contemporary contexts.

For Cameroonian music fans, James BKS represents an exciting continuation of Manu Dibango's work in breaking down musical boundaries and showcasing Cameroonian sounds on the global stage. His story is a powerful reminder of how musical legacies can evolve and find new expressions across generations.