The phrase “Mama Say Mama Sa Mama Coosa” has been a topic of discussion for many years. It is a refrain from the song “Soul Makossa” by Manu Dibango, a saxophonist from Cameroon. The phrase doesn’t technically mean anything, but it is based on the Duala language word “makossa,” which means “dance”. The leading theory is that the phrase is some kind of encouragement to dance.
What is the meaning of “Mama Say Mama Sa Mama Coosa”?
The phrase “Mama Say Mama Sa Mama Coosa” is a refrain from the song “Soul Makossa” by Manu Dibango. The phrase doesn’t technically mean anything, but it is based on the Duala language word “makossa,” which means “dance”. The leading theory is that the phrase is some kind of encouragement to dance.
The Story Behind “Mama Say Mama Sa Mama Coosa”
“Mama Say Mama Sa Mama Coosa” was first made popular in Dibango’s 1972 afro-funk classic, “Soul Makossa.” The song became a hit in the United States after it was played by a New York DJ named Frankie Crocker. The song was later sampled by Michael Jackson in his song “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” and by Rihanna in her song “Don’t Stop the Music”.
The Lawsuit
75-year-old Cameroonian musician Manu Dibango sued both Michael Jackson and R&B diva Rihanna over the use of the line “mama-say-mama-sa-mama-coosa,” which was first made popular in Dibango’s 1972 afro-funk classic, “Soul Makossa.” According to the AFP, Jackson already admitted to borrowing the line from Dibango on his 1983 Thriller track “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’”, and the two settled out of court. However, the quotable phrase also appears in Rihanna’s 2007 hit single “Don’t Stop the Music,” which contains a sample of Jackson’s song. Dibango claims he wasn’t consulted on the usage, and is seeking an additional 500,000 euros in compensation.
FAQs
What does “Makossa” mean?
One possible translation: “makossa” means “dance” in the Cameroonian language of Duala.
Where does the word ‘ma Coosa’ come from?
The leading theory seems to be that the last part of the phrase, “ma coosa” comes from “makossa,” which is similar to the Duala word for “dance.” The word also refers to a specific music genre that Dibango himself played. Makossa music was popular in Cameroon in the 1970s and 1980s but had its earliest roots going back to the 1950s.
Where did the song Soul Makossa come from?
The track was recorded in 1972 by Manu Dibango, a saxophonist from Cameroon. Dibango’s Afro-funk saxophone track became known for its distinctive chorus: “Mama ko, mama sa, mako makossa.”
Is ‘makossa’ based on a Zulu saying?
Fans of Dibango as well as Jackson’s and Rihanna’s songs have offered theories that the phrase is based on a Zulu saying about following your mother’s wisdom. However, the leading theory seems to be that the lyrics are based on the word “makossa,” with wordplay used as scatting for the sake of the music.
Conclusion
“Mama Say Mama Sa Mama Coosa” is a refrain from the song “Soul Makossa” by Manu Dibango. The phrase doesn’t technically mean anything, but it is based on the Duala language word “makossa,” which means “dance”. The leading theory is that the phrase is some kind of encouragement to dance. The phrase has been used in several popular songs, including Michael Jackson’s “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” and Rihanna’s “Don’t Stop the Music.”
