Just like several other outstanding bass players, Etienne Mbappé comes from… Read Full Bio ↴Just like several other outstanding bass players, Etienne Mbappé comes from Cameroon. His technique and rhythmic sense are amazing and he has created a great musical genre of his own, transcending the frontiers between African music and other styles such as funk, rock, jazz and even classical music. Best known for his years with the Zawinul Syndicate, but he has also toured extensively in France and abroad with Salif Keita and Manu Dibango (both as bassist and musical director) and the Orchestre National de Jazz, Jacques Higelin, Michel Jonasz, and many others. He also formed the two fusion bands Ultramarine and Chic Hot.

From 2000 until 2003 he played with Joe Zawinul, and he can be heard on several of his recordings, for example "Faces And Places". In 2001 Etienne played on Ray Charles' last album. And right now, his bass playing can be heard on international radio stations on the new CD with Toumani Diabaté Symmetric Orchestra, which has been up to number 4 at the World Music Chart in Europe.

On his first solo album Misiya (label: O+) he sings in the Cameroonian language Douala (all the songs are vocal) and his voice is smooth and deep. This is a unique fusion between traditional Cameroonian rhythms (Makossa, Bolobo, Sékélé) and modern music. One of the unique factors, that gives Etienne Mbappé and his band Su La Také standing ovations on every concert, is the strong element of rock in some songs. Powerful and energetic music, but all of a sudden you find yourself listening to a cool ballad with beautiful vocal harmonies. A truly dynamic band, with arrangements that always get plenty of compliments from both audience and press, just like the great soloists and the sensitive interplay within the band. This music appeals to both jazz and world music audiences of all ages.

Cameroun O Mulema
Etienne Mbappe Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Pongo mi ko no jédu na mbengue yo
E ko bwam mi o mulema ponda yésè
Na sengi to wu ma nika munyengue yo
Mboa mi o mulema ponda yésè
Na dango beko mo ne jita la mundi yo
E ko bwam mi o mulema ponda yésè
To mo musi poi musi buki muni yo
Mboa mi o mulema ponda yésè

Nongélè té, Nongélè té
Biya mese na tomsé no'o
Nongélè té, Nongélè té
Ponda bwam mi to ya bobé
Ma loko mami, ma loko mami
Masu muna y sadi sadi biya bwam mi
Mako mi mami bese bese o busa mi

Cameroun o mulema yo
Ponda yésè, woma yésè
Cameroun o mulema
Ponda yésè, woma yésè
Cameroun o mulema
Ponda yésè, woma yésè
Cameroun o mulema
Ponda yésè, woma yésè

E ko bwam mi o mulema
Ponda yésè
Mboa mi o mulema
Ponda yésè

Nongélè té, Nongélè té
Biya mese na tomsé no'o
Nongélè té, Nongélè té
Ponda bwam mi to ya bobé
Ma loko mami, ma loko mami
Masu muna y sadi sadi biya bwam mi
Mako mi mami bese bese o busa mi

Cameroun o mulema yo
Ponda yésè, woma yésè
Cameroun o mulema yo
Ponda yésè, woma yésè
Cameroun o mulema
Ponda yésè, woma yésè (O mulema yo)
Cameroun o mulema
Ponda yésè, woma yésè

Na te no windea Cameroun ni o mulema
Na si mbe ne dimbea ndi ni mboa babame
Na te no windea
O wo wo wo, yo wo wo wo o
Ndi ni mboa babame

Na te no windea Cameroun ni o mulema
Na si mbe ne dimbea ndi ni mboa babame
Na te no windea Cameroun ni o mulema
Na si mbe ne dimbea ndi ni mboa babame (Mboa babame)
Na te no windea Cameroun ni o mulema (Na te no windea)
Na si mbe ne dimbea ndi ni mboa babame (Na te no windea)

Na te no windea Cameroun ni o mulema (O mulema yo)
Na si mbe ne dimbea ndi ni mboa babame

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Etienne Mbappe's song Cameroun O Mulema are written in Duala, a Cameroonian language. The song is a celebration of Cameroonian culture, music, and people. The chorus "Cameroun o mulema" translates to "Cameroon, my beloved country," and the rest of the lyrics speak on various elements of Cameroonian life.

The song opens with the lines "Pongo mi ko no jédu na mbengue yo, E ko bwam mi o mulema ponda yésè" which roughly translates to "I put my clothes on to go out to see you, my beloved country." The lyrics then go on to mention various aspects of Cameroonian life such as the food ("na dango beko mo ne jita la mundi yo"), the language ("sengi to wu ma nika munyengue yo"), and the music ("to mo musi poi musi buki muni yo").

The chorus of the song continues to emphasize love and admiration for Cameroon, with the repetitive phrase "Nongélè té, Nongélè té." The song ends with verses that repeat the sentiments of the beginning, talking about the beauty of Cameroon and its people.

Overall, Cameroun O Mulema is a beautiful ode to the culture and people of Cameroon, celebrating the rich history and traditions that make it a special place.

Line by Line Meaning

Pongo mi ko no jédu na mbengue yo
Putting my backpack on my back, I walk to your place

E ko bwam mi o mulema ponda yésè
I arrive with my heart open and ready to love

Na sengi to wu ma nika munyengue yo
I cross the river and climb the hill to see you

Mboa mi o mulema ponda yésè
I come from the land of my ancestors with love in my heart

Na dango beko mo ne jita la mundi yo
I carry my dreams and visions for the world with me

To mo musi poi musi buki muni yo
I bring my music, my dance, and my drum with me

Nongélè té, Nongélè té
Let's dance, let's dance

Biya mese na tomsé no'o
With joy and happiness

Ponda bwam mi to ya bobé
I open my heart to you with love

Ma loko mami, ma loko mami
My dear mother, my dear mother

Masu muna y sadi sadi biya bwam mi
You are the one who teaches me the ways of love