Les Têtes Brûlées, a Cameroonian group formed in the 1980s by Jean-Marie Ahanda, achieved global recognition for popularizing an electrified and high-energy version of the traditional Beti dance music known as bikutsi. Their name, which literally means "The Burnt Heads" but is often interpreted as "hotheads" or "burnt minds," reflected their rebellious, punk-like approach to a traditional art form. The band's breakthrough came after a national television appearance in 1987, and their signature sound was heavily influenced by the virtuosic electric guitar work of Théodore Epémé, known as "Zanzibar." With their distinctive stage presence, which included body paint and provocative theatrics, they gained worldwide fame, touring extensively across Africa, Europe, the United States, and Japan. The band's international exposure was further boosted by their inclusion in Claire Denis' film Man No Run and their accompaniment of the Cameroonian national soccer team to a match in Italy. Though the band was plunged into despair following the sudden death of guitarist Zanzibar in late 1988, Les Têtes Brûlées reformed and continued to record and perform, leaving a significant legacy for their energetic revitalization of bikutsi music.