World Literary Awards

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Blick Bassy

ブリック・バッシー

Burikku Basshī

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
Mintaba, Cameroon
Nationality
Cameroon
Languages
Bassa, French
Residence History
Mintaba, Cameroon → Paris, France

Career

Occupations
Singer-songwriter, Musician
Active Years
1990-
Influenced By
Skip James, Traditional Cameroonian music

Awards

Prix Elysse Musique du Monde
2001
Organization: Prix Elysse Musique du Monde
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Leman

2009 World music

One of Blick Bassy's early albums released after his move to France, featuring songs in Bassa.

IdentityTradition

Hongo Calling

2011 World music

His second album, known for mixing various musical influences.

MigrationCultural fusion

Akö

2015 Manouche jazz / Blues / World

Released in 2015. The track "Kiki" was used in Apple's iPhone 6 global campaign, raising his international profile. Notable for experimental arrangements combining cello and trombone.

NostalgiaNocturnal moodsMusical experimentation

1958

2019 Politically themed / World music

An album dedicated to the memory of Ruben Um Nyobè, addressing Cameroon's history and collective memory to question contemporary issues.

MemoryColonial historyPolitics

Bibliography

  • Leman (2009)
  • Hongo Calling (2011)
  • Akö (2015)
  • 1958 (2019)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Lyrics primarily written in BassaMinimal, introspective deliveryInfluences from blues and manouche jazz
Recurring Motifs
Homeland and nostalgiaMigration and travelMemory and history (notably Cameroon's colonial history)Political themes

Legacy

Recognized as an important Cameroonian musician for singing in Bassa and performing internationally. Gained global recognition after Apple's use of his song in an advertisement and was appointed co-director of a commission on memory concerning France and Cameroon in 2023.

In Popular Culture

  • In 2015, part of the track "Kiki" was used in Apple's iPhone 6 global advertisement.
  • Became internationally known through performances at festivals such as WOMAD and venues like the Royal Festival Hall.

Quotes

  • "His new album echoes the delicacy of bossa nova along with reminders of his other influences, from African styles to the Mississippi blues of his hero Skip James."
    Source: Robin Denselow (The Guardian, 2015) (2015)

Trivia

  • He was born as one of 21 children; his father was a police chief.
  • Reportedly began singing from age three and rehearsed every morning at 5am.
  • Apple's 2015 advertisement significantly raised his international profile.
  • Appointed co-director of a France–Cameroon memory commission in 2023.