Anne-Marie Nzié
Encyclopedia
Anne-Marie Nzié is a Cameroon
ian bikutsi
singer. In the 1940s, Nzié began performing bikutsi, the music native to her home in central Cameroon. She signed with Pathé Marcom Records. Nzié remained active over the next five decades and helped to popularise bikutsi throughout Cameroon. Her long career earned her the epithets "Queen of Cameroonian Music", "Queen Mother of Cameroonian Music", and "Queen Mother of Bikutsi".
Nzié was a supporter of both of Cameroon's presidents, Ahmadou Ahidjo
and Paul Biya
. For example, she dedicated the song "Liberté" to Paul Biya and his Cameroon People's Democratic Movement
(CPDM) political party. In 1992, the Social Democratic Front used the song during John Fru Ndi
's presidential campaign; Nzié said that she was "vehemently opposed" to the move. In another incident, student protesters changed the lyrics of the song to say, "Paul Biya go away". Nzié responded by saying that the song was always intended to be pro-Biya and pro-CPDM.
After a long absence, Nzié released the album Béza Ba Dzo in 1999. Coco Mbassi
sang backup on the album.
Cameroon
Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon , is a country in west Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon's coastline lies on the...
ian bikutsi
Bikutsi
Bikutsi is a musical genre from Cameroon. It developed from the traditional styles of the Beti, or Ewondo, people, who live around the city of Yaounde. It was popular in the middle of the 20th century in West Africa...
singer. In the 1940s, Nzié began performing bikutsi, the music native to her home in central Cameroon. She signed with Pathé Marcom Records. Nzié remained active over the next five decades and helped to popularise bikutsi throughout Cameroon. Her long career earned her the epithets "Queen of Cameroonian Music", "Queen Mother of Cameroonian Music", and "Queen Mother of Bikutsi".
Nzié was a supporter of both of Cameroon's presidents, Ahmadou Ahidjo
Ahmadou Ahidjo
Ahmadou Babatoura Ahidjo was the first President of Cameroon from 1960 until 1982.-Early life:Ahidjo was born in Garoua, a major river port along the Benue River in northern Cameroun, which was at the time a French mandate territory...
and Paul Biya
Paul Biya
Paul Biya is a Cameroonian politician who has been the President of Cameroon since 6 November 1982. A native of Cameroon's south, Biya rose rapidly as a bureaucrat under President Ahmadou Ahidjo in the 1960s, serving as Secretary-General of the Presidency from 1968 to 1975 and then as Prime...
. For example, she dedicated the song "Liberté" to Paul Biya and his Cameroon People's Democratic Movement
Cameroon People's Democratic Movement
The Cameroon People's Democratic Movement is the ruling political party in Cameroon.-History:Previously known as the Cameroon National Union, which had dominated Cameroon politics since independence in 1960, it was renamed in 1985...
(CPDM) political party. In 1992, the Social Democratic Front used the song during John Fru Ndi
John Fru Ndi
Ni John Fru Ndi is the founder and leader of Cameroon's Social Democratic Front .Fru Ndi was born in Baba II, near Bamenda in the Northwest Province of Cameroon. The title of Ni, a marker of respect, was given to him when he was born...
's presidential campaign; Nzié said that she was "vehemently opposed" to the move. In another incident, student protesters changed the lyrics of the song to say, "Paul Biya go away". Nzié responded by saying that the song was always intended to be pro-Biya and pro-CPDM.
After a long absence, Nzié released the album Béza Ba Dzo in 1999. Coco Mbassi
Coco Mbassi
Coco Mbassi is a female musical artist originating from Cameroon and based in Paris, France. Winner of the Radio France Internationale Découvertes Prize in 2001 with the song "Muenge Mwa Ndolo", she toured worldwide and her first album, Sepia, was released in 2001...
sang backup on the album.