Wes Madiko (born 15 January 1964), better known as Wes, is a Cameroonian musician. He is probably best known among Western audiences for "In Youpendi", a song from The Lion King II soundtrack, as well as work with Deep Forest and his own 1997 hit "Alane" produced by Michel Sanchez
As of late 2010 up until the present, he was working on a new project with electronic composer and producer Paul Kwitek. 2013 – Wes Madiko becomes Africa's Ambassador for Michael Jackson's Family Foundation.
Background
Wes Madiko name means "The Roots of land of Ancestor" He is the King of World Music who was born in Mouataba, He first saw the light of day under the baobab tree in Mouataba, which lies some hundred miles away from the city of Douala, Cameroon. From the age of two, his grandfather taught him about healing music and how to play the kalimba instrument. The pair soon became inseparable. His grandfather taught him his love of Bantu history and the wisdom of the elephant of animist bantou philosophy. This was responsible for an important part of his education: “it was in bush school and during night-time gatherings listening to the metallic beat of the kalimba that I learned the adventures of the father of all ancestors, E’kwa Mutu.”
Podcasts:
Wes Madiko
ALBUMS
- O Come All Ye Faithful: Rock for Choice released: 1996