A rhythmic vocal refrain from Michael Jackson’s “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’,” used in dance edits, nostalgic posts, and energetic meme videos.
This clip captures the repeated “mama-say, mama-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa” refrain from Michael Jackson’s “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’.” The chant rides over an energetic dance groove, building momentum through repetition rather than a conventional lyrical verse. Its quick, recognizable rhythm can make a scene feel lively, celebratory, or playfully dramatic. Because the vocal pattern is easy to anticipate, it also works well for synchronized cuts, dance movements, entrances, and visual reveals. The excerpt carries the polished, percussion-driven excitement associated with Jackson’s early 1980s pop recordings.
The refrain appears in Michael Jackson’s “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’,” released on the 1982 album Thriller. Its closing chant draws from “Soul Makossa,” the 1972 song by Cameroonian musician Manu Dibango, whose makossa-inspired phrase became internationally recognizable. Jackson’s recording brought the vocal pattern to a vast pop audience, and later performances, remixes, dance videos, and short-form edits kept it familiar. The combination of repetition, percussion, and an instantly identifiable cadence still makes the passage useful for energetic visual timing.