The phrase "Mama Say Mama Sa Mama Coosa" was originally used by Cameroonian musician Manu Dibango in the 1972 song "Soul Makossa". It was later borrowed by singer Michael Jackson for use in his 1983 hit "Wanna Be Startin' Something". Dibango sued Jackson, and after admitting that he borrowed the lyric, the two settled out of court. The catchy phrase was later sampled by Rihanna in her 2007 hit
. "Can't Stop the Music". Apparently, Rihanna obtained permission from Jackson to sample the phrase, but not the original writer. In February of 2009, Dibango then sued Rihanna for the same infraction. So, exactly what does the phrase mean? No one knows for sure, but "makossa" means dance in Cameroonian. For more information about this strange story, see http://iplitigator.huschblackwell.com/2009/08/articles/copyright/michael-jackson-the-music-and-copyright-infringement-lawsuit-continues/.
