Bongos Ikwue (born 6 June 1942) is a Nigerian singer and songwriter known for his fusion of
Afrobeat
Afrobeat (also known as Afrofunk) is a West African music genre, fusing influences from Nigerian (such as Yoruba) and Ghanaian (such as highlife) music, with American funk, jazz, and soul influences. With a focus on chanted vocals, complex i ...
,
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 encompasse ...
,
folk
Folk or Folks may refer to:
Sociology
*Nation
*People
* Folklore
** Folk art
** Folk dance
** Folk hero
** Folk horror
** Folk music
*** Folk metal
*** Folk punk
*** Folk rock
** Folk religion
* Folk taxonomy
Arts, entertainment, and media
* Fo ...
, and
blues
Blues is a music genre and musical form that originated among African Americans in the Deep South of the United States around the 1860s. Blues has incorporated spiritual (music), spirituals, work songs, field hollers, Ring shout, shouts, cha ...
.
Early life
He was born on 6 June 1942 at Oturkpo,
Benue State
Benue is a State in the North Central Nigeria, North Central region of Nigeria. It is popularly referred to as part of the Middle belt. It has an estimated population of about 4,253,641 in List of Nigerian states by population, the 2006 census. ...
, Nigeria. His musical journey began in his youth, forming his first band, the Cubana Boys, during his time at Okene Comprehensive Secondary School. He later attended
Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria where he formed the UniBello Brothers and participated in a folk group led by university lecturers. In 1967, he founded Bongos & The Groovies, a band that gained popularity in Nigeria during the 1970s and 1980s.
Career
Ikwue's music features melodies and lyrics that address themes such as love, unity, and social issues. Notable songs in his discography include "Cock Crow At Dawn," "Still Searching," "Tell My Girl," "Amen," and "Otachikpokpo." "Cock Crow At Dawn" was used as the theme song for a Nigerian television soap opera that aired into the 1990s. In 2008, Ikwue released the album ''Wulu Wulu'', which included collaborations with his daughters, Omei and Jessica Ikwue.
Ikwue received the
African Movie Academy Award (AMAA) for Best Soundtrack in 2011 for his contributions to the film ''
Inale
''Inale'' is a 2010 Nigerian musical drama film produced by Keke Bongos and directed by Jeta Amata. The film which stars Caroline Chikezie and Hakeem Kae-Kazim in lead roles, is set in Otukpo and tells the tale of Inale and Ode, who are both in ...
'', released in 2010. The film is a Nigerian musical drama produced by his daughter, Keke Bongos Ikwue, and directed by
Jude Idada. It portrays the story of Inale, a young woman from a traditional village, confronting themes of love, sacrifice, and destiny.
In 2021, Ikwue was featured on the single "Searching", released by
2Face Idibia
Innocent Ujah Idibia Order of the Niger, MON (; born 18 September 1975), known by his stage name 2Baba and formerly as 2Face Idibia, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter, record producer and philanthropist known for his solo debut album, ''Face 2 Fa ...
. The track features a mix of English and Idoma lyrics and showcases a collaboration between two artists from different musical generations.
Achievements and awards
* Lifetime Achievement Award – Nigerian Music Awards (2005)
*
African Movie Academy Award: Best Soundtrack for the film
Inale
''Inale'' is a 2010 Nigerian musical drama film produced by Keke Bongos and directed by Jeta Amata. The film which stars Caroline Chikezie and Hakeem Kae-Kazim in lead roles, is set in Otukpo and tells the tale of Inale and Ode, who are both in ...
(2011).
* Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria (MCSN): Joined in 2022.
* Presidential Recognition: Congratulated by
President Muhammadu Buhari on his 80th birthday for his contributions to Nigerian music and culture.
* His song "Still Searching" was featured on the compilation album ''Black Starliner''.
* Nigerian Music Industry Merit Award (2016)
Awarded for his consistent excellence and influence in shaping the soundscape of Nigerian music.
*
Performed at Akwa Ibom Christmas Carols Festival (2014), which was recognised by Guinness World Record for the "Largest Assembly of Carol Singers on the Face of the Earth."
* Appointed Special Copyright Inspector (2019) by the
Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC)
.
Selected discography
* "Still Searching"
* "Cock Crow At Dawn"
* "Wulu Wulu"
* "The Way It Is"
* "
Inale
''Inale'' is a 2010 Nigerian musical drama film produced by Keke Bongos and directed by Jeta Amata. The film which stars Caroline Chikezie and Hakeem Kae-Kazim in lead roles, is set in Otukpo and tells the tale of Inale and Ode, who are both in ...
"
* "Tell my girl"
* "What's Gonna be's Gonna be"
* "Amen"
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ikwue, Bongos
1942 births
Living people