Cameroonian Singer Reniss Pays Tribute To Michael Jackson On Makossa-Influenced Track Ft. Jovi

Cameroon's music renaissance is continuing to thrive in 2015 thanks in large part to Jovi's New Bell Music label. On her latest effort, Mankon-born, Douala-raised New Bell-signed singer Reniss pays homage to Michael Jackson, who in 1983 sampled Cameroonian saxophonist Manu Dibango's famous mama-say/mama-sa/mama-ko-sa refrain from his early disco single, "Soul Makossa." Featuring and produced by Jovi (as his producer alter ergo Le Monstre), "Michael Jackson" opens with a sample of Ivorian rap pioneers R.A.S, before launching into a full-on Makossa-influenced tribute to the King of Pop. Reniss, who refers to her own sound as "tribal pop," told Okayafrica:

Listen to Reniss and Jovi's "Michael Jackson" below. For more from the New Bell Music labelmates, check the recent Cameroonian rap compilation EP, Lord Have Mercy. Look for a sophomore album from Reniss to drop later this year.