Hiplife artiste Reggie Rockstone has paid a glowing tribute to the late legendary Afro-Jazz artitse, Manu Dibango.

“Big tree! We just lost a great giant this corona sh-t. What more can I say,” a shocked Reggie Rockstone said in an exclusive to JoyNews’ Doreen Avio.

The 86-year-old Cameroonian, best known for the 1972 hit “Soul Makossa”, passed away on Tuesday after contracting the novel coronavirus.

“He died early this morning in a hospital in the Paris region,” his music publisher Thierry Durepaire said.

Reminiscing the times he interacted with Manu Dibango, Rockstone said that he was indebted to the legend whose sounds influenced his early Hiplife works.

“Jay Z sampled his (Manu Dibango) song and he went out for his money but when I used it, he said, for me it’s free,” he added.

Rockstone added that the last time he had seen the Jazz legend was at AFRIMA and was met with warmth.

“My heart goes out to his family...we are his family we all grew up to his music. For you who don’t know him, you might wanna look him out,” Reggie said.