Cameroonian Makossa Pioneer Ngalle Jojo Reissues Debut Album

Cameroonian musician Ngalle Jojo is releasing a reissue of his first album, Na Bo Ndedi, through Celluloïd Records. Jojo was a key figure in popularizing makossa music internationally during the 1970s and 80s, blending traditional rhythms with modern synthesizer arrangements. His 1977 single “Alliance” became the first gold record for the Sonodisc label.

The album’s recording in Paris connected Jojo with musicians from the African and Caribbean diaspora, including future Kassav’ band members Jacob Desvarieux and Jocelyne Beroard, who Jojo claims drew inspiration from makossa when creating zouk. The Sonodisc label ultimately struggled with the rise of cassette tape piracy in the 1980s, leaving Jojo without a record label.

He later became a pastor in the Oise region of France, but the reissue of Na Bo Ndedi revives his musical legacy and offers a renewed appreciation for his contribution to Cameroonian makossa.