Born in Douala on 6 October 1941,[3] Mbella grew up with a passion for music and football, initially playing as a midfielder for Léopard Douala. However, he abandoned football to follow a musical career.[3] He grew up playing a variety of instruments, namely the organ, piano, and guitar, and he became close with the pastor Adolph Lotin Same [fr], the father of Eboa Lotin.[4] He then performed gospel songs alongside great Cameroonian musicians such as Francis Bebey and Manu Dibango.[5]
Mbella achieved success with song titles such as "Edube Na Loba" and "Dipita".[3] In 1974, he moved to France to follow professional pursuits,[5] where he directed several choirs, such as La clef des Champs de Béthune and La Rudelière de Saint-Quentin.[6] He defined his career with gospel performances,[7] particularly at jazz festivals and religious environments.[1] He was the first African to win the Prix d'Interprétation of SACEM. In 2000, he was awarded the Prix Bayard d'Or.[2] His most notable collaborations included the Golden Gate Quartet, Manu Dibango, and Rhoda Scott.
Mbella Ntone died in Paris on 2 October 2024, at the age of 82.[2]