Wes

Wes Madiko (15 January 1964 – 25 June 2021), better known mononymously as Wes, was a Cameroonian musician. He is probably best known among Western audiences for his cover of "Upendi", from The Lion King II: Simba's Pride, as well as work with Deep Forest and his own 1997 hit "Alane" produced by Michel Sanchez.

Background Madiko was born in Mouataba, a village which is about hundred miles away from the city of Douala, Cameroon. He was taught about music by his grandfather, who taught him how to play the kalimba. His grandfather also taught him Bantu history and the wisdom of the elephant within animist Bantu philosophy. This was responsible for an important part of his education: "it was in bush school and during night-time gatherings listening to the metallic beat of the kalimba that I learned the adventures of the father of all ancestors, E'kwa Mutu."

In 1974, at the age of ten, Madiko became the conductor of the group Kwa Kwassi, which means "think right" or "just thought". This musical formation brought together the most talented youngsters in the village, who received instruction together in history and art.

Musical career In 1988, the group Fakol with Benjamin Valfroy and Jo Sene was formed. Fakol played in the Netherlands and in other countries throughout Europe. Aside from his musical activity, Wes started to develop an involvement in social work. He visited schools in Lille, and worked with children. Wes took great pleasure in transmitting the wisdom of the elephants and the ancient history of Africa.

Two years after, Jacques, Wes's brother and a talented guitarist, died. Their father died a few months later, following a motorbike accident. These incidents led Wes to meditate on the fragility of the self, saying: "there comes a time when a feeling of uselessness invades you and threatens to break you, but you hang in there, convinced that there's always a breath of life somewhere". In the same year he performed "I love Football" for the FIFA World Cup in France.

In 1998, Wes' song "Alane" was the opening song in a Chilean TV series named "Borrón Y Cuenta Nueva". In 2002, Wes' song "Awa Awa" was featured in Paramount Pictures' The Wild Thornberrys Movie, as well as the episode Falsche Partner of the German series Ein Fall für zwei. "Alane" was used in the German films Zahn um Zahn and Aus heiterem Himmel. In 2007, Wes was working on a new biography and spiritual book.

Death Wes died on 25 June 2021 at Alençon Hospital due to a nosocomial infection after a medical operation.

Discography

Studio albums Title Details Peak chart positions AUT BEL(Vl) BEL(Wa) FRA NED NZ SWI POR Welenga Release date: 30 June 1996 Label: Saint George Formats: CD 5 13 12 5 7 30 13 9 Sinami: The Memory Release date: 2 October 2000 Label: Sony BMG Formats: CD, music download — — — — — — — — Melowe Release date: 2010 Formats: CD — — — — — — — — "—" denotes releases that did not chart

Singles Year Single Peak chart positions Album AUT BEL(Vl) BEL(Wa) FRA GER NED NOR SWE SWI UK 1997 "Alane" 1 1 1 1 2 1 20 19 4 11 Welenga "Awa Awa" — 50 — — — 44 — — — — 1998 "Midiwa Bôl" (I Love Football)" — — — 94 71 72 — — 49 75 1999 "Doutou" — — — — — — — — — — Non-album single 2000 "Keli Maye" — — — — — — — — — — Sinami - The Memory "—" denotes releases that did not chart