05.22.2020

Honoring Saxophone Legend Manu Dibango

Among the hundreds of thousands who have died from the coronavirus are music world luminaries Alan Merrill, Ellis Marsalis, and sax legend Manu Dibango — whose passing deeply affected his good friend Angélique Kidjo. It moved her to give Miriam Makeba’s famous South African hit “Pata Pata” a COVID-themed rewrite. She joins the program to talk about the song — and her friend.

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ABOUT YOUR FRIEND WHO DIED.

IN YOUR COMMUNITY, THERE HAVE BEEN ARTISTS, SINGERS, WHO HAVE SUCCUMBED TO THIS DISEASE.

TELL ME A LITTLE ABOUT HIM.

MANU, I DON'T HAVE WORDS TO SAY ANYTHING ABOUT HIM.

HE IS JUST ONE OF THE GREATEST THAT WE EVER HAD.

HIS GENEROSITY IS SOMETHING I WILL MISS.

ALSO, PROTECTION.

AS A WOMAN IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS, HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN THERE FOR ME, ALWAYS EMPOWER ME TO DREAM BIG, DO WHATEVER I WANT TO DO.

JUST DO WHAT I HAVE TO DO.

IF THAT'S THE THING THAT I'LL MISS A LOT, HIS CONSTANT SUPPORT.

IT DOESN'T MATTER FOR BOY OR GIRL.

FOR ME AS A WOMAN, STARTING IN THIS BUSINESS, MY FIRST ALBUM, I INVITED HIP TO COME AND PLAY.

HE SAID IF I CAN BE OF ANY HELP, EYE BE HERE.

About This Episode EXPAND

Christiane speaks with Amy Walter about the current state of the U.S. presidential race and Jack Saul about dealing with trauma on a massive scale. She also speaks with Angélique Kidjo about the passing of saxophone legend Manu Dibango. Michel Martin speaks with Dr. Helene Gayle about coronavirus mortality rates for black Americans.

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