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X-Maleya
(Cameroon)
Biography
X-Maleya was formed in 1996, with the help of Ruben Binam, of Alizé Equateur Records (and also
band leader of Macase). Two youth friends from the Biyem-Assi neighbourhood in Yaoundé, Roger Samnig and
Auguste Rim teamed up with American-Koweiti-French-Cameroonian Haissam Zaiter aka Haïs and formed X-Maleya. Maleya means
advice in Duala language, and X stand for the mystery what life is for us all.
X-Maleya uses bantu music, such as makossa, and mixes this with various music styles, from jazz, country, reggae, Contemporary R&B and Afro pop. They sing in Basaa (bassa), French and English. In 2006, a first album « Exil » was released. Their second album « X-Maleya » (2009) encountered success outside Cameroon, mainly in other African urban areas. Two years later, in 2011, a third album « Tous ensemble » established the name of X-Maleya across the world. On the album, there are featurings by Passi in the title song, and by Pit Baccardi on « Son Me » and « Ndolo 2 ».
The group performed regularly, and continued to release albums, such as « Révolution » (2014) and « Playlist » (2016). 14 September 2014, they performed in a sold-out Olympia in Paris, with various guests Manu Dibango, Samuel Eto'o, Pit Baccardi, Thomas Nguidjol, and J Martins.
X-Maleya uses bantu music, such as makossa, and mixes this with various music styles, from jazz, country, reggae, Contemporary R&B and Afro pop. They sing in Basaa (bassa), French and English. In 2006, a first album « Exil » was released. Their second album « X-Maleya » (2009) encountered success outside Cameroon, mainly in other African urban areas. Two years later, in 2011, a third album « Tous ensemble » established the name of X-Maleya across the world. On the album, there are featurings by Passi in the title song, and by Pit Baccardi on « Son Me » and « Ndolo 2 ».
The group performed regularly, and continued to release albums, such as « Révolution » (2014) and « Playlist » (2016). 14 September 2014, they performed in a sold-out Olympia in Paris, with various guests Manu Dibango, Samuel Eto'o, Pit Baccardi, Thomas Nguidjol, and J Martins.
X-Maleya (here still with Auguste Rim)
In 2015, X-Maleya created their own label and production company, XM Music. Apart from their own management, XM Music also supports young
talents in Cameroon. As a follow-up to the album « Playlist », the album
« Cardio » was released,
on which the track « Ta fille n'est pas ta femme » relates to a real story about a girl
that was abused by a parent. The video-clip had been censured in some countries because of it violent content, but the band has been
acclaimed by the Cameroonian parliament for their engagement against violence against women.
In 2020, Auguste Rim was no longer part of X-Maleya. The band never made public what the reasons were for this departure. Auguste teamed up with Angel Bsla.
• Members of X-Maleya:
Roger SAMNIG TANG lead vocals, band leader - born in Libamba (Littoral Province)
Haissam ZAITER 'Haïs' vocals, guitar, arrangements - born in Yaoundé of American father and French-Cameroonian mother
Former member:
Auguste Teteck a RIM vocals, choreo - born in Yaoundé, origins in the Mbam Division (Central Province)
Live band:
Ruben Binam Keyboards
Jean Paul Lietcheu Basse
Fabrice Metogo Guitar
Paul Ndedi Drums
René Mboumoua Mboumoua DJ
Formed: 1996, Yaoundé
Style: Contemporary R&B / Afro pop
Discography
In 2020, Auguste Rim was no longer part of X-Maleya. The band never made public what the reasons were for this departure. Auguste teamed up with Angel Bsla.
• Members of X-Maleya:
Roger SAMNIG TANG lead vocals, band leader - born in Libamba (Littoral Province)
Haissam ZAITER 'Haïs' vocals, guitar, arrangements - born in Yaoundé of American father and French-Cameroonian mother
Former member:
Auguste Teteck a RIM vocals, choreo - born in Yaoundé, origins in the Mbam Division (Central Province)
Live band:
Ruben Binam Keyboards
Jean Paul Lietcheu Basse
Fabrice Metogo Guitar
Paul Ndedi Drums
René Mboumoua Mboumoua DJ
Formed: 1996, Yaoundé
Style: Contemporary R&B / Afro pop
Discography
| Title | Year | Label | Remarks |
| ADN | 2024 | XM Music | |
| Back to the Roots | 2021 | XM Music | |
| Cardio | 2018 | XM Music | |
| Playlist | 2016 | XM Music | |
| Révolution | 2013 | XM Music | |
| Tous ensemble | 2011 | XM Music | |
| X Maleya | 2009 | Alizés Equateur Records | |
| Exil | 2006 | Alizés Equateur Records |
Page added April 2025