Sam Fan Thomas
The creator of makassi and “African Typic Collection”
Born in 1952
Related city : Bafoussam
Related music genre : Makossa
Who are they?
A guitarist, singer and producer born in Bafoussam in 1952 as Samuel Ndonfeng. He started out in the late 1960s as guitarist with André-Marie Talla’s band Les Tigres Noirs, before going solo in 1976.
What made them famous
He created makassi, an up-tempo makossa coloured by Congolese guitar, horns and funk. The song “African Typic Collection”, from the album “Makassi” (1984), became an international hit and earned him a gold record in 1984.
Key facts
- His first album, “Funky New Bell”, was recorded in Cotonou, Benin.
- “Rikiatou” was his first big hit in Cameroon.
- From the 1990s he focused mainly on producing young Cameroonian artists in his Douala studio.
- In September 2017 he was elected the first chairman of Sonacam, Cameroon’s music copyright society.