One cannot help himself but dance to the awesome African tune, '' In Youpendi '' from the Lion King soundtrack and what makes it more amazing is the fact it comes from Cameroon musical legend Wes Madiko. Listening to Wes’ unique, nostalgic tracks will catapult you way back into African history.

Better known as Wes, the Moutaba born musician (which lies some hundred miles away from the city of Douala, Cameroon) was taught about healing music and how to play the kalimba instrument by his grandfather, from the tender age of two.

The pair soon became inseparable. His grandfather taught him his love of Bantu history and the wisdom of the elephant of animist bantou philosophy. This was responsible for an important part of his education. He learned the adventures of the father of all ancestors during night time gatherings in bush school, listening to the metallic neat of the kalimba.

In 1977, at the age of ten, Madiko became the conductor of the group Kwa Kwassi, which means "think right". This musical formation brought together the most talented youngsters in the village, who received instruction together in history and art.

In 1987, once more, Wes started to enjoy musical night of the Wouri riverbanks. He was impatient to get back in touch with the Moutaba spirit, to promote bafoun-bantou tradition and returned to the home of his ancestors. He revived the Kwa Kwassi orchestra and embarked on a tour in Bafoun country. A group of tourists turned up, and were all bewitched by the music, including a young woman from Lille, France. And so Wes set off for Europe, with his kalimba under his arm.

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 1992 Wes traveled to the US and released the album Roots. During this tour, he gave concerts in Atlanta, Georgia.