One song — three years imprisonment. Global award to the singer that the president of Cameroon fears for voicing peoples frustrations.
Imprisoned musician Lapiro de Mbango is the 2009-winner of the ‘Freedom to Create’ Imprisoned Artist Prize.
Nominated by Freemuse, Lapiro de Mbanga – described as an “unceremonial sheriff of the backyards” – was selected “in recognition of his courage and outstanding artwork” by a distinguished panel including world famous conductor Daniel Barenboim and Geoffrey Robertson, one of the world’s foremost human rights lawyers.
The news was conveyed to Lapiro in his prison cell in Cameroon a few hours before the prize ceremony took place Wednesday evening at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum in attendance of international luminaries such as the celebrated Iranian filmmaker Mohsen Makhmalbaf, Time Out founder Tony Elliot and Human rights activist Bianca Jagger.
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Freemuse press contact Ole Reitov, tel: +45 2323 2765
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High resolution photos of Lapiro
These photos are for free use in printed media under condition of stating the source: Freemuse, and photographer's name
Lapiro de Mbanga, in prison, November 2009. Photo by Jen Bell.
Size 17 x 22 cm in 300 d.p.i. - 2.4 MB
Lapiro de Mbanga in court room on 25 June 2009. Photo by Jen Bell
Size 22 x 16 cm in 300 d.p.i. - 2.0 MB
Lapiro de Mbanga being escorted by the major of Njombé Penja, Mr. Kingué. on 24 July 2008. Photo courtesy by Issa Nyaphaga
Size 13 x 10 cm in 300 d.p.i. - 1.9 MB
Radio broadcasters: MP3 audio file with the banned song
Contact Freemuse and we can quickly email you Lapiro's song 'Constitution Constipée' in MP3 format for broadcast
Singer Lapiro de Mbanga has filed a case against the Chief Medical Officer of the Douala Central Prison for having denied him access to medical attention while in prison
Singer Lapiro de Mbanga was released from New Bell Prison in Douala on Friday 8 April 2011 at 2 pm after three years imprisonment under harsh conditions
After years of international campaigning, Freemuse finally managed to have a personal meeting with Lapiro de Mbanga who has been imprisoned in Cameroon since 2008
In ‘Smashed Hits 2.0’, Cameroonian singer Lapiro de Mbanga gives an exclusive interview to Daniel Brown from prison on protest, politics and the art of satire
The fact that Lapiro is in prison for his music has discouraged other artists in the country to create any kind of innovative projects or critical song lyrics
Lapiro de Mbanga, imprisoned since 2008 retaliates at Minister of Communication who on 30 July 2010 announced that Cameroon did not host any political prisoners
