Golden Sounds, later known as Zangaléwa, was a

makossa Makossa is a music genre originating in Douala, Littoral Region, Cameroon in the late 20th century. Like much other music of Sub-Saharan Africa, it uses strong electric bass rhythms and prominent brass. Makossa uses guitar accompaniments, in t ...

group from

Cameroon Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon, is a country in Central Africa. It shares boundaries with Nigeria to the west and north, Chad to the northeast, the Central African Republic to the east, and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the R ...

, formed in 1984 by active members of Cameroon's presidential guard: 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) is a Colombian singer-songwriter. Referred to as the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Queen of Latin Music", she has had a Cultural impact of Shakira, significant impact on the ...

sampled it for the

2010 FIFA World Cup The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for List of men's national association football teams, men's national Association football, football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010. ...

Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" is a song by Colombian singer Shakira, featuring the South African band Freshlyground. Co-written by Shakira and John Hill (record producer), John Hill, it was released on 7 May 2010 by Epic Records as the Li ...

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 Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia, is a country primarily located in South America with Insular region of Colombia, insular regions in North America. The Colombian mainland is bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the north, Venezuel ...

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 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. The group disbanded around 2000. Jean Paul Ze Bella retired from the presidential guard in 2002 after 30 years of service, but his song stands as an icon of Cameroonian military history. Ze Bella died from cancer on 15 January 2023 at the age of 70.

Discography

Albums

Singles

* " Zangaléwa" (1986) * "Maladie Difficile" (1986) * "Un bébé" (1991)

Awards

References

{{Authority control South African boy bands Cameroonian musical groups Musical groups established in 1984 1984 establishments in Cameroon