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Igbo Highlife
Igbo highlife is a contemporary musical genre that combines highlife and Igbo traditional music. The genre is primarily guitar-based music, with a rare characteristic blend of horns and vocal rhythms. Igbo highlife lyrics are sung mostly in Igbo language, Igbo with occasional infusion of Nigerian Pidgin, Pidgin English. One of the most influential composers and performers of the music is Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe whose career spanned over 40 years. Osadebe's discography comprises numerous popular songs including the 1984 hit "Osondi Owendi" which launched him on the world stage as a pioneer of the Igbo highlife genre. Another prominent musician, Singer and guitarist Oliver De Coque is considered "one of the prime exemplars of and chief innovators in contemporary Igbo popular music." Coque was responsible for the increasing popularity of Igbo highlife with a deeper perspective of Igbo sounds being translated on the guitar. Among his best-known hits are "Biri Ka Mbiri", "Ana Enwe ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
Highlife
Highlife is a Ghanaian music genre that originated along the coastal cities of present-day Ghana in the 19th century, during its Gold Coast (region), history as a colony of the British and through its trade routes in coastal areas. It encompasses multiple local fusions of African metre and western jazz melodies. It uses the melodic and main rhythmic structures of traditional African music, but is typically played with Western instruments. Highlife is characterized by jazzy Horn section, horns and guitars which lead the band and its use of the two-finger plucking Guitar picking, guitar style that is typical of African music. Recently it has acquired an uptempo, synth-driven sound. Highlife gained popularity and the genre spread throughout West African regions. Pioneers like Rex Lawson, Cardinal Rex Lawson, E. T. Mensah, E.T. Mensah, Victor Uwaifo, all perfected this sound by infusing traditional Africa drums and western "Native Blues". After the Second World War, its popularity ca ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
Oliver De Coque
Oliver Sunday Akanite (14 April 1947 – 20 June 2008), better known by the stage name Oliver De Coque, was a Nigerian Igbo highlife musician, composer and guitarist and one of Africa's most prolific recording artists spanning over four decades of the highlife music scene. His extensive use of Igbo traditional rhythms and the fusion of Congolese guitar melodies made him a leader in the Nigerian highlife music genre. Oliver's iconic stage name, 'Oliver De Coque', originated from his early days playing Ekpili music in 1976. His band was initially called 'Oliver de coque and co-singers' ,and people affectionally referred to him as'Oliver De Ka Okwe' due to his love for playing okwe(Draft). Overtime, he adapted this nickname to create the household name 'Oliver De Coque'. Early life and career De Coque was born in Ezinifite, Anambra State, Nigeria, in 1947, to an Igbo people, Igbo family. He started playing music at the age of 17 with the Ekpili music and was taught to play the gu ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
Bracket (music Group)
Bracket are a Nigerian afropop and R&B music duo composed of Obumneme Ali a.k.a. "Smash" and Nwachukwu Ozioko a.k.a. "Vast". Bracket started as a three-man music group before a member called Bistop dropped out. The duo are currently signed to Bracket Records and are best known for releasing hit singles like "Happy Day", "Me & U", "Yori-Yori" and "Ada Owerri" "Mama Africa" "Panya" which received several positive reviews and airplay. Their albums include of ''Least Expected'', ''Cupid Stories'', ''Alive'', and ''Love Letters''. Background Vast and Smash grew up in Nsukka town, Enugu State, southeastern Nigeria, where they used to attend campus shows while growing up. Discography Studio albums * ''Happy Day'' (2006) * ''Least Expected'' (2009) * ''Cupid Stories'' (2011) * ''Alive'' (2015) * ''Love Letters'' (2022) Awards and nominations In 2012, Bracket received an honorary award from the city of Philadelphia Philadelphia ( ), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the Li ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
Flavour N'abania
Chinedu Okoli (born 23 November 1983), better known by his stage name Flavour N'abania or simply Flavour, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He began his musical career as a drummer for a local church. Flavour is popularly known across Africa and the world for his hit song " Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix)". He is currently signed to 2nite Entertainment. In 2005, he released his self-titled debut album '' N'abania''. In 2010, Flavour released his second studio album, '' Uplifted''. It was supported by the singles " Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix)", "Adamma", and " Oyi Remix". The album's success made Flavour one of Africa's most sought out artists. He was booked to perform at numerous concerts and social events following ''Uplifted''s release. Early life Flavour, who is well known for his ability to sing fluently in the Igbo language, was born in Enugu State, southeastern region of Nigeria. His family is originally from Umunze in Orumba South LGA, Anambra State, southeast Nigeria. Flavo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
Peacocks Guitar Band International
Overview The Peacocks Guitar Band International was a popular Nigerian band that was known for its guitar-based highlife sound. The Band was founded in 1971 by Raphael Amarabem, a former sideman in Rex Lawson's Mayors Band of Nigeria. They disbanded in the late 1970s, and was revived by Amarabem in 1981 as the "Revived Peacocks". The Peacocks were a Nigerian highlife band that blended guitar-based highlife with elements of funk, jazz, and rock Rock most often refers to: * Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids * Rock music, a genre of popular music Rock or Rocks may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wale .... Their music was influenced by Ghanaian music, and they recorded in multiple languages, including English, Efik, Ewe, and Igbo. The band's biggest hits were "Sambola Mama" and "Abiriwa", which included Eddie Quansah which was used for the television series New Masquerade. Members * Raphael ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
Morocco Maduka
Chief Dr Chukwuemeka Morocco Maduka (1944–2020) is a Nigerian Igbo Highlife Musician popularly known for his music style Egwu Ekpili, which earned him the title "Eze Egwu Ekpili"(King of Ekpili Music). He was born on April 7, 1945, Ukwulu, Dunukofia Dunukofia is a Local Government Area in Anambra State, South-East Nigeria. Towns that make up the local government are Ukpo, the headquarters; Ifitedunu, Dunukofia Umunnachi, Umudioka, Ukwulu and Nawgu. It shares boundaries with Awka North, ... Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria, which is also his ancestral hometown. Career He embarked on his music journey at the tender age of 12. However, his father was initially opposed to his musical pursuits, fearing it would lead to a life of delinquency. Instead, his father had envisioned a more conventional path for him, aspiring for him to become a doctor or a lawyer. With a career spanning over six decades, Chief Emeka Morocco Maduka released his first album, "Ay ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
Mike Ejeagha
Mike Ejeagha (; 4 April 1930 – 6 June 2025) was a Nigerian folklorist, songwriter, and musician. Also known as "Gentleman Mike Ejeagha", Ejeagha started his music career in the mid-20th century. He was an influential figure in the evolution of Igbo music genre. Early life and career Ejeagha was born on 4 April 1930 in Imezi Owa, Ezeagu, Enugu State. His father was a civil servant who worked with the Ministry of Health in Enugu. Ejeagha attended St. Patrick's Primary School, Ogbete, Enugu. At a young age, he played ogene with his friends. In 1945, he joined Coal Camp Boys, a local music group in Enugu. After completing his primary education in 1948, he continued to pursue his passion for music. In 1949 at the age of 20, he became an apprentice, learning hairdressing with his friend Cyprain Ozochiawa, who was a barber and musician. He also learnt how to play guitar. Ejeagha was invited by Joseph Ogbu to join his band as a guitarist in 1950. Following his performance, he was ca ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
Oriental Brothers
The Orient is a term referring to the East in relation to Europe, traditionally comprising anything belonging to the Eastern world. It is the antonym of the term ''Occident'', which refers to the Western world. In English, it is largely a metonym for, and coterminous with, the continent of Asia – loosely classified into Southwest Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, East Asia, and sometimes including the Caucasus. Originally, the term ''Orient'' was used to designate only the Near East, but later its meaning evolved and expanded, designating also Central Asia, Southwest Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, or the Far East. The term oriental is often used to describe objects and (in a derogative manner) people coming from the Orient/eastern Asia. Etymology The term "Orient" derives from the Latin word ''oriens'', meaning "east" (lit. "rising" < ''orior'' "rise"). The use of the word for "rising" to refer to the east (where the sun rises) has analogues from many lan ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
Nico Mbarga
Nico Mbarga (1 January 1950 – 23 June 1997), better known as Prince Nico Mbarga, was a Cameroonian-Nigerian highlife musician, born to a Nigerian mother from Mbembe Obubra LGA, Cross Rivers State and a Cameroonian father in Abakaliki, Nigeria."Prince Nico Mbarga" at NigeriaExchange. He is renowned for his hit song " Sweet Mother", recorded with his band Rocafil Jazz, which has been described as the best-selling song in history by an African recording artist. Early life Mbarga grew up at , |
Celestine Ukwu
Celestine Ukwu (1940 – 7 May 1977) was a Nigerian Igbo highlife musician during the 1960s and 1970s, best known for his hit songs "Ije Enu", "Igede" and "Money Palava". Described as a "prolific and outstanding composer" by music critic Benson Idonije of Radio Nigeria Two, Ukwu's works have been featured on various world music compilations including '' The Rough Guide to Highlife'' and '' The Rough Guide to Psychedelic Africa''. Early life Ukwu was born in Enugu, the capital city of Enugu State, southeastern Nigeria to music-oriented parents. He is from Abor in Udi Local Government of Enugu State. His father was a local performer of the igede, ikpa and ode genres of Igbo music while his mother was lead singer in a women's musical group. At a young age, he began learning how to read music and play the harmonium with the help of his uncle who was a choirmaster and they traveled a lot. He attended primary schools briefly in all the towns and cities they lived in—Onitsha, Por ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
Sir Warrior
Christogonus Ezebuiro Obinna (1947 – 2 June 1999), alias Dr. Sir Warrior, also known as Ultimate Dr. Sir Warrior was a Nigerian Igbo highlife musician, guitarist and bandleader. A musical prodigy, he was one of the pioneers of highlife music in Nigeria and was the leader of the Oriental Brothers International Band which was famous in the Nigerian Igbo highlife music scene for several decades.Duru, Ben. "Musicians, Others Remember Sir Warrior". ''Post Express''. 2 July 1999. He performed primarily in Nigeria, as well as performing internationally in places such as London and the United States of America with his crew. In his entire career he recorded 12 platinum and 10 gold hits. His 1978 studio album, ''Nwanne Awu Enyi'' went gold, and sold more than 7.8 million copies. Musical career Dr. Sir Warrior started playing the guitar in the 1960s at aged 11, and was able to transform his performance into a successful career in the 1970s when he joined the Oriental Brothers Interna ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
