Girish Mahajan (Editor)

Les Têtes Brulées

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Origin
  
Yaounde, Cameroon

Active from
  
1986

Years active
  
1980s–2000s

Genres
  
Bikutsi, Pop music

Les Têtes Brulées httpsiytimgcomviwOVQT1Ww21Yhqdefaultjpg

Past members
  
Jean-Marie Ahanda Zanzibar Atebass

Albums
  
Bikutsi Rock, Be Happy, Hot Heads

Record labels
  
Shanachie Records, Déclic Communication

Similar
  
K‑Tino, Anne‑Marie Nzié, Sally Nyolo, Mama Ohandja, Lady Ponce

Les t tes brul es cameroun 80 90 bikutsi mix musique cameroun african guitar music


Les Têtes Brulées are a Cameroonian band known for a mellow pop version of the bikutsi dance music. Their name literally means the burnt heads in French, but more likely is meant to imply mindblown or hot heads.

Contents

Les t tes brul es essingan


About

'Les Têtes Brulées first rose to prominence in the 1980s, and quickly became the most well-known bikutsi band, at home and abroad. However, many critics and fans of the genre did not like their easy-going, pop sound, and the band saw some criticism. They became known for their distinctive costumes, shaved heads and brightly painted bodies, which were meant to evoke traditional Beti scarification.

The band was formed by Jean-Marie Ahanda, and included the guitarist Zanzibar, who remains well known for innovative attachment of foam rubber to the bridge of his guitar, which made the instrument sound like a traditional balafon. Zanzibar's death in 1988 threatened to end the band's future, but they continued performing and recording. Their first LP was Hot Heads, which was also the first full-length recording of bikutsi, and contained lyrics which addressed social issues. The band toured across Africa, Europe, the United States and Japan; some footage of this tour was used in Claire Denis' film Man No Run. Later, they accompanied the Cameroonian soccer team to a match in Italy, which brought the band many new fans.

Discography

  • 1988: Les Têtes Brûlées (Bleu Caraïbe)
  • 1990: Ma Musique a Moi (Bleu Caraibes)
  • 1991: Hot Heads (Shanachie Records)
  • 1992: Bikutsi Rock (Dona Wana)
  • 1995: Be Happy (Dona Wana)
  • 2000: Bikutsi Fever "Best of" (Africa Fete)
  • Songs

    Essingan2014
    Ma Musique â MoiHot Heads · 1990
    ZilyanBikutsi Rock · 1992

    References

    Les Têtes Brulées Wikipedia