Coco Mbassi

Coco Mbassi (born 28 February 1969) is a musical artist originating from Cameroon, born in Paris, France, and based in London, UK.[1]

Winner of the Radio France Internationale Découvertes Prize in 1996[2] with the song "Muenge Mwa Ndolo", she toured worldwide and her first album, Sepia, was released in 2001. This album was nominated in 2002 for the BBC Radio 3 World Music Awards, and won the German World Music CD Critics' Awards. Her second album Sisea was released in 2003. After touring, she released a live tour DVD, Coco Mbassi Tour.

Prior to her solo career, she sang with various artists as a backing vocalist, live or in recording sessions (including with Salif Keita, the jazz band Sixun, Toure Kunda, Ray Lema).,[3] and Manu Dibango.[4]

Mbassi performed at Live 8, at the Eden Project, Cornwall.

A lover of music in general, some of her favourites are The Messiah of Handel, Stevie Wonder, Bob Marley and the Cameroonian artist Dina Bell.[citation needed]

Mbassi was on tour with Totem (Cirque du Soleil) as the lead female vocalist of the production in 2011.

Her latest release is the album Jóa (2014). [citation needed]

After being selected for the BEAM 2018 showcase,[5] Coco Mbassi has written a musical called 'Haendel on the Estate' extracts of which were performed at Ovalhouse theatre in February 2019 as part of their First Bites Spring 2019 programme.[6]

The singer also recently played the part of 'The Old Woman' in Cervantes Theatre's director Jorge de Juan García's adaptation of Lorca's famed play Yerma.[7]

References

  1. ^ Hunter-Tilney, Ludovic (4 October 2016). "Inside London's 'shadow' music business". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 11 December 2022. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
  2. ^ "La Voix de Coco Mbassi". 24 October 2001.
  3. ^ Greenberg, Adam. "Biography: Coco Mbassi". Allmusic. Retrieved 27 July 2010.
  4. ^ "Lion of Africa by Manu Dibango".
  5. ^ "BEAM 2018 - Theatre Royal Stratford East". Archived from the original on 22 October 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  6. ^ "Brixton House".
  7. ^ "Yerma review at Cervantes Theatre, London". Archived from the original on 16 January 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2019.