Growing up in Nigeria particularly the rich cultural Milieu of Ile Ife and Ilorin,  I was indeed exposed to a wide range of Nigerian music but particularly the various genres of Yoruba music. Though in later years  I have grown to also love Jazz, Rhythm and Blues and the Mississippi blues particularly old favorites like Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong, Sidney Behchet, Jolly roll Morton, Duke Ellington and of course Miles Davis. My favorite music includes Juju, Highlife, Sakara, Were, Apala, Ewi, Agidigbo and the like.

  In these series  I would like to pay tribute to various legendary musicians ranging from Rex Lawson to Bala Miller, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, King Sunny Ade and Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey among others. Sammy Akpabot must also be mentioned though he was widely known as a football analyst and sometimes faulty predictor of soccer score lines in the 70's and 80's in his must read column in the Daily Sketch entitled ''Third Eye''. Those were in the days of real soccer teams and Challenge cup surprises IICC Shooting stars of Ibadan, Rangers International of Enugu, Raccah Rovers of Kano and of course the revelations of 1976 77 the Bendel Insuranse of Benin and Alyufsallam rocks of Ilorin. He was also actually an acknowledged authority on Nigerian Music and held the Chair in musicology in the University of Ibadan.

   The earliest recording of Nigerian music in my collection was actually recorded in 1928 by Domingo Justus a Yoruba of Brazillian extraction hence the portuguese name. He recoded in London popular evergreen songs such as'' Oluronbi'', '' Agba Murere'' Adeoti and Labalaba about the butterfly trying to be a bird. This song has been recorded by several artistes over the years but that is the earliest recording I have come in contact with. Ken Okulolo recorded Labalaba again in the last few years and is available on Amazon.  I also love Nigerian folk songs such as Salotu which is an Urhobo song about a love stricken man awaiting his parents to consent to his marriage. Kenoma a mother's advise to her daughter who was leaving the village. Other Urhobo songs include Oberi Oberi and the wonderful song of praise Ejiro Oghene.  I also love The Itsekiri song Gbaramune. These songs have been brought to life again by Ken Okulolo who your's truly was priviledged to see play and also chat with him at a Nigerian Independence Celebration in St Louis, Missourri about 5 years ago.

How dare  I forget ''Akoi woni gari' a Hausa song about peace and reconciliation or Bala Miller's ''Ikon Allah''. He was mostly re-introduced to Nigerian in the 80's by his excellent TV program on Highlife and contemporary Nigerian Music. He also had band called the Pyrameeds in the 60's and 70's. Benson Idonijie wrote a recent article on him. Mr Idonijie in my opinon has an encyclopedic knowledge of Nigerian music having been a musician, producer, manager and has really contributed immensely to Nigerian music over the past 5 decades. He is modest hence not much is known about him. He is at home writing about Ayinde Bakare, Haruna Ishola, Roy Chicago, Geraldo Pino, Ebenezer Obey, Oriental brothers, Victor Olaiya, ET Mensah etc.

In the 60's the legendary Rex Lawson was the indisputable King of Highlife and multitalented linguist. Some of his numerous songs include ''Mama dey for Kumba'' sang in Kalabari. ''Bere Bote'' in Ijaw a song of a Chief calling the elders together for a meeting to settle a communal problem others include ''So Ala Tenem again in Kalabari. He also sang in Igbo Yoruba and English.

In The 70's there was indeed an explosion of bands such as BLO with their Chant to mother Earth. The widely respected actor and singer Tunji Oyelana now resident in London and operating a Nigerian restaurant cum club was also quite active with his band called the Benders he sang an ode to Ifa which was indeed excellent. Also the saxophonist per excellence Peter King recorded Sango the Yoruba God of Thunder. He later established a Music school in Port Harcourt. Bogos Ikwue the Jos based musician also sang the provocative ''Woman and the devil'' He is however more widely known for the song track of ''Cock crow at Dawn'' which was a very popular soap opera in the 80's sponsored by UBA and introduced Nigerians to the talented Jos based actors such as Sadiq Daba who played Bitrus and Uncle Gaga other wise known as wicked Gaga. Another Jos based Musician was Harry Moscow Agada with his song '' I am a country boy  I don't wanna go to town'' about a Man preferring to stay in the Country and not going to live in the city.

How dare  I forget ''Orere Elejigbo'' by the Lijadu twins now resident in Brooklyn, New York. Shina Williams ''Agboju Logun'' about the proverbial prodigal child relying on his inheritance for survival. This is an extraction from the Yoruba proverb ''Agboju logun fun ra re fun ya je'' which means the lazy Child that intends to rely on his inheritance to survive will inevitably suffer in the end.

The St Gregory's College Obalende group Ofege was also popular in the 70's. Nigeria had a lot of boy bands before it became cliché in the United States in the 90's with Boys to Men and Justin Timberlake's group. Ofege's songs that come to mind are ''Evil Child'' and ''Mandy  I love Mandy". Others are ''Adunni' by Erik Akaeze and Omo Pupa by Victor Olaiya from the 60's. The legendary bandleader, exceptional gentleman who was always well dressed with with his carnation rose Bobby Benson should also be mentioned. He ran his band like Duke Ellington did - bringing up a lot of talented musicians. Unfortunately his big hotel on Ikorodu road had an untimely demise after his death due to family infighting.

I really love the guitar and some of the musicians  I really love are gifted guitar players like Earl Klugh, George Benson, Ebenezer Obey, Sunny Ade, Vernadine White of Earth, Wind and Fire and the Eagles guitarist in Hotel California.  In that hallowed group is none other than the original guitar boy Sir Victor Uwaifo.  He has recorded numerous songs such as Joromi, Guitar boy Mammy water and others. He was one of the first musicians to own his own recording studio; He was once a Commissioner in Edo state and also studied Law at the University of Benin.

One of the most popular Nigerian musician worldwide was the Late Prince Nico Mbarga who Is also claimed by the Cameroonians just like Bakassi Peninsula. His Ode to mothers everywhere the evergreen Sweet Mother is a must have and is played in all African and Carribean parties. He unfortunately died of all things in an Okada acciedent.  I really felt bad that all the royalties and other monetary benefits that should have accrued to him and other artistes never got to him. Price Nico Mbarga at the time of his demise did not even own a car. Imagine Luther Vandross, Barry White or George Benson not having money these are people you should compare Nico Mbarga to. The issue of piracy of artistes’ intellectual property and not paying them adequately for their performances and radio airplay would continue to doom our artistes to a life of penury. This is also now beginning to affect the Nigerian movie industry where you see the movies all over the place but the artistes, directors and producers do not seem to be moving ahead financially except for a few stars.

Around the time of the meteoric rise of Sunny Ade and Ebenezer Obey there were other stars also rising then.  Dele Abiodun the Sobe born Adawa super King comes to mind.  He had a good run with hits such as'' Kini Mo ko soke yi o''.  What have I written on this board? He then spells out his name DELE and the chorus is ''Super Dele''.  He also sang Adawa super system.  Another star then was the Ibadan based musician Idowu Animashaun who sang '' Ase baje mase mo''.  Which means the evil doer should cease and desist. He also sang numerous other hits. His style was midway between Sunny Ade and Ebenezer Obey and his compositions were quite nice.  General Prince Adekunle also came on the scene in the 70's with his ''Meta Meta lore o'' a deeply philosophical piece about 3 friends and the trials and tribulations they went through. Akure based Wale Glorious who wrote the popular Nigerian wedding song always played in receptions entitled ''E ro ra mi a gbese Oko Iyawo wole'' which says watch as the newly wed walk majestically.  Also around this time Emperor Pick Peters of ''Omo Ode '' fame and Segun Adewale with Yo pop were emerging. There was however a young guitar phenom Shina Peters in those bands in the 70's who later came to his own in the Movie ''Money Power'' co starring Clarion Chukwura with whom he had a child. The producer was Ade Love - Ade Folarin of blessed memory. The movie came out in the early 80's and was a harbinger for his success with ACE,  Shinamania and the like.  I remember cool nights in the NYSC camp in 1990 listening to Shina especially after fresh fish, pounded yam with Egusi soup and palmwine to wash it down. Indeed those were the days.  

In the 70's there was Omodunni Decency the only female juju bandleader that  I can remember. She died young in 1977 at the age of 30 or 31. She also sang African Mummy Juju  I still remember the Album in which she put on lace clothes stylishly designed and her large designer sunglasses.  1978 was a bad year for artistes as that was also the year that Duro Ladipo of ''Oba Koso'' fame who popularised Shango the God of Thunder died.  Also Ojo Ladipo otherwise known as Baba Mero of Awada Keri Keri fame also departed untimely.  However some of Ojo Ladipo's troop members such as Sunday Omobolanle ''Papy Luwe'' and Oga Bello are stil active artistes and producers.

Ewi

I love Yoruba poetry particularly Ewi. The exponents of this art who readily come to mind are Olatunbosun Oladapo and Olanrewaju Adepoju who later took the Ibadan High Chieftaincy title Aare Alasa.  Remi Olabamiji also sang '' Aye yi ma dara Pupo'' which means this world is Beautiful so bright and beautiful.  Also ''Alaaru to n je Buredi'' which says in beautiful Yoruba prose that the truck pusher who is eating bread is actually eating his own scalp without knowing it. In those days there was so much to eat that it was only the poor people who had no dhoice but to eat bread. This is very ironic in view of the present socio-economic situation.

I would also like to pay tribute to the various journalists and newspapers of that period. These include pepole like Ladi Ayodeji,  Dimgba Igwe, Mike Awoyinfa, Dele Momodu and newspapers like Lagos weekend when you are not reading Wakabout column, Weekend Concord, Lagos Life, Top Life and Punch.

In the next article which will come soon time permitting  I will discuss my favorite Fuji and also the essential must have's when developing a Fela Anikulapo Kuti collection and also King Sunny Ade and Ebenezer Obey.

Orems, A founding Member of NVS is a St Louis-based MD 

Robot  Villager

# 1 Growing up in Nigeria particularly the rich cultural Milieu of Ile Ife and Ilorin, &nbsp...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 29.09.2007 09:28

Big-K  Villager

# 2 Orems, You've done it again. This is great. Nigerian oldies - especially music of Lagos in the 60s and 70s, which is a pot-pourri of Afrocuban, Saro, Brazillian are some of our National Treasures. These days when I see new artistes trying to outdo themselves in Rap, I shake my head. I pray Nigeria will rediscover itself in our generation. Thanks for the memories. Posted by Big-K| 29.09.2007 09:36

Auspicious  Villager

# 3 Growing up in Nigeria particularly the rich cultural Milieu of Ile Ife and Ilorin, And I won't be surprised if some Tonys out there in this Village, in their usual petty manner, pick a bone with you over the highlighted phrase above. This is not to lure them out but to shut them up before they put their foot in their mouth again. Anyways, back to your article which I interrupted reading to drop the above comment.. Auspicious. Posted by Auspicious| 29.09.2007 09:43

Ebe2  Villager

# 4 Orems (for the initiates), Long time.........PM me so we can talk, my man. That's a fantastic, not to mention priceless, compilation and commentary on the history and evolution of Nigerian music across genre and style. One thing I have discovered is that as I grow older, I am beginning to appreciate the classics, although I still--and this is a confession--appreciate my Jimmy Jatt, Sasha, Eldee, and others. One of my favorite musical adventures of late is to try and collect songs that I listened to--or saw adults enjoy and rock to as a child. Some of these tunes are etched in my memory. I would recall them occasionally, sometimes not so much for their lyrical or rhythmic beauty as for my memories of adults enjoying them. From infancy to about age 9 I grew up around a lot of highlife, especially Igbo highlife. I don't know all the names, but Oriental Brothers were still big then (the early to mid 80s) and I remember loving them. Which is why on my recent trip to Nigeria, I bought several CDs of their hits, including one titled "Vintage Hits" that is da bomb if you're a fan of Oriental Brothers (don't ask me if the CDs were bootlegged). I just love their uplifting music, beats and all. My only regret is not being an Igbo speaker. Imagine how much fuller my enjoyment of their wonderful tunes would be if I spoke or understood Igbo. Some of Victor Uwaifor's tunes are also timeless, including a famous one that had the chorus altered into to my Idoma language. I believe it is "Joromi." Bongos Ikwe was huge in our house, especially the Idoma language tunes. My mother went through a Bongos phase when she collected all of his soulful Idoma language tunes. The message in those tunes, for Idoma speakers, are timeless nuggets of wisdom. Prince Nicco Mbarga is an icon; growing up I must have heard "Sweet Mother" a million times. And Fela? What can I say----my older brother almost killed me with "Zombie," playing it day and night. Not to mention the fact that, during my national youth service, my youth corp buddies (and now good friend) Akin and Olurin introduced me to the pleasant tunes of Orlando Owoh, sometimes even translating the lyrics for me. My favorite song of his is the one that begins with something like: " mosu loru ye, mo lala ko." A beautiful song by all standards! Posted by Ebe2| 29.09.2007 10:06

Auspicious  Villager

# 5 Mr. Ogunremi's 'walk down the memory lane' is a good read and, like the songs and artists he mentioned in his walk, his is a collector's item as well! That is why I will most definitely be saving this piece to acquaint myself better with the artistes (along with their works) he mentioned in his piece. This is most definitely a tribute to good music. Some of us listened to everything music for the most part. But I found out that as I grew older and more matured, I gravitated towards what I choose to call original music - less of rap et al and more of Jazz, Classicals and traditional Nigerian music, including the evergreens and the modern versions. Perhaps it is because some of us are now far away from home, but I found out that I started liking music that I really never paid attention to while growing up. I speak of Yoruba music like Apala et al. Ewi was also one of those we considered as 'razz' back then. But today, I find myself embracing such music like a prodigal son who found his way back home. I am listening to Sunny Ade's "Synchro System" as I type this. I must admit I don't know half of the people Mr. Ogunremi highlighted in his low-down on good music - especially the Nigerian ones - but a few names here and there caught my attention. Yes, there is Bongo Ikwe and his "Cock Crow at Dawn"! I still remember the picture on the records LP jacket we have at home with the picture of the tall guy holding his guiter, along with the UBA sponsorship insignia. I remember we had Haruna Ishola's LP too! And there is this Yoruba woman whose name escapes my memory (Hmmmph!). I remember back then, my siblings considered these people razz and ugly just by looking at their picture on the LP's case. Well, at least we didn't think so of Bongos Ikwe who song sounded modern enough to our young ears and didn't look too 'razz' in person either. Talk about mentally colonized kids! I have my old man to thank for his taste in music - a taste that strides all cultural divide, across ethnicities and whole civilizations. You might as well find him listening to Ludwig Van Beethoveen today, Haruna Ishola tommorow, Nat King Cole the day after. I think my favorite kind of 'foreign' music is Jazz and Louis Armstrong 'ugly' voice is my favorite. Oh, and there is something about Fela Anikulapo-Kuti's music that sends me in a sort of trance. Fela's music is powerful. Yes, I do enjoy when he belts out his crazy ballads but I think I enjoy it most when the only thing you hear is the instrumentals - especially when he indulges in his beck and call sax and trumpet sessions. That guy was a Genius in his field of music. Only he can make Auspicious get up and dance when he doesn't want to. In the 60's the legendary Rex Lawson was the indisputable King of Highlife and multitalented linguist. Some of his numerous songs include ''Mama dey for Kumba'' sang in Kalabari. ''Bere Bote'' in Ijaw a song of a Chief calling the elders together for a meeting to settle a communal problem others include ''So Ala Tenem again in Kalabari. He also sang in Igbo Yoruba and English. - Olumide Ogunremi Now that is interesting! Brilliant musicians have always existed. Rex Lawson eh? I am adding that to my future searches and collection. And technology is making everything easier in terms of acquring and storing music. For as little as a dollar or less (or less than $15 for an album), one can buy music tracks anywhere online. A friend of mine has a 80-Gigabyte Ipod for Penkele's Sakes! It's ga ju! I could go on and on, thanks to Olumide Ogunremi. It's a nice way to start a Saturday anyways. And I am saving this! Peace! Auspicious. Posted by Auspicious| 29.09.2007 10:22

Auspicious  Villager

# 6 =Ebe2;20914931>One thing I have discovered is that as I grow older, I am beginning to appreciate the classics... Oh Gosh, Ebe! One would think I just read you and literarily immitated your lines up there. Now, that's crazy...or interesting - 'choose your pick'! Auspicious. Posted by Auspicious| 29.09.2007 10:26

Soul Sista  Villager

# 7 Orems: You have done it again! Fantastic; just fantastic! You took me down memory lane big time. My parents were very, very into music and I thank God for the gift that they gave me through the exposure to every different type of musical genre available to them. I remember Omodunni Decency! I even remember that very album (when last did you say/hear the word, album?) that you are refering to. You did not mention the Good Women's Choir and Comfort Omoge. Do you remember them? Aha, those were the days!:biggrin::biggrin: I am a big, big lover of high life as well. Thankfully, with the revitalization of old music through digital technology, more and more of this music is resurfacing. Whenever I am in Nigeria, I visit different places, principally the Jazz Hole on Awolowo Road in Ikoyi to load up. The Ghananian influence on Nigeria highlife music cannot be wished away. When you think about people like E.T. Mensah (of "All for you" fame) and Joe Mensah (of "Bonsue" fame), you have to bow. What of Wura Fadaka (of "Samari Adugbo" fame)? Tunde Nightingale (of "Won l'awon yi o gbaya wa" fame)? I.K. Dairo (of "Salome" fame)? When you listen to I.K. Dairo's Salome or some of these other songs, then one person will tell you that Naija men don't have raps? You have to tell them that it is the ones that are coming to them that don't have raps o! :D:D When you listen to the toasting on some of these records, you have to bow, honestly, especially if you understand the language. Naija raps are different from Oyinbo raps, that is the bottom line.:D:D During my last stint at home, I also bought some juju music from the 1920s that I found at the Jazz Hole. My dear, Africans understand music; Madonna and Sting are playing!:D:D I very pleased to read your shout out to Benson Idonije. Now, that is a human encyclopaedia if ever there was one. I never miss his weekly outings in the Guardian. One is bound to be educated if one reads him. The man is so knowledgeable about music and the arts! Forget it, men! I wish he will sit down and write his memoirs or something or compile his articles into a book. The book will be well worth every word on each page. Unfortunately, we have a culture that does not celebrate people like Benson Idonije. Just wait till he dies and all the hypocrites will come out of the woodwork with their empty platitudes, calling the name of God in vain in every sentence.:D This your article should be archived together with one that Sonala Olumenhse wrote about four years ago on Rex Lawson in The Guardian and Tonye David-West also wrote round about the same time period, also on Rex Lawson, on Nigeria World. Sonala gave out some Rex Lawson CDs at that time. I was not lucky enough to win any of them. I am looking forward to reading your article on Ewi, our traditional yoruba poetry. As a child, I was quite a mummy's handbag, as the younger of two daughters. So, I remember tagging along with her to my fair share of weddings. Anytime I think of "Erora mi awole," I think of those days when my only care in life was ensuring that I saw the bride's white dress and shaking the grooms hand when you go and hand over the present. Anyone old enough to remember when people used to take their presents to the front at the reception and the MC announces the person giving the gift and the person gets to shake the groom? I know, it is a diversion but it brings back happy memories about peculiarly Naija wedding practices of yesteryears. Shortly after Ogunde's first rate films, Aiye and Jaiyesimi were released, the practice of shaking the groom or bride at receptions died out. Ogunde exposed some very scary things to us. And, you know Africans are spiritually aware, na so dem talk say make everybody carry their wowo handshake.:D:D Anyway, back to ewi, ewi was another staple of Yoruba weddings. A proper Yoruba wedding was incomplete without ewi. The last time I was home, someone gave my mother an ewi cassette (who still uses cassettes??) and listening to it brought back memories of those weddings as well as listening to Lanrewaju Adepoju blast out of the record player in my home as a child. Thinking back now gives me goose bumps. Those were such beautiful, carefree days. So, carefree. If only children know the issues that adults face, they will enjoy every minute of their childhood.:D:D:D I like that you did not neglect Bala Miller. The Bala Miller Show! What of Sam Akpabot? Naija has produced talent, abeg. I am looking forward to your piece on Sunny Ade et al. Sunny is another one. I have a lot of Sunny on my IPOD and when you listen to the lyrics devoid of the usual Owambe atmosphere, you have to give it to Sunny. You have to, especially if you understand the Yoruba language. The other day, I was listening to his praise song for Olarenwaju Kassim and Raymond Dokpesi (which I think is his best praise song ever) and I just marvelled at his use of words and the musical arrangement. Anyway, Orems, make ah dey go before I continue rambling. Your articles always have this way of bringing out these deep memories. Thank you for my beautiful Saturday morning! Soul Sista a/k/a Soul Sizzling Posted by Soul Sista| 29.09.2007 11:15

RAYNOSA  Villager

# 8 Egbon, Thank you for this write-up,make we leave politics for now!!!!What a good weekend tonic. Dis article make me remember my growing up days in Suru-lere Lagos.Wetin make me like some of the musician wey you mention,those days my Dad get one stereo wey dey inside cupboard,all dis music dey for small/big record if he wan play some he go set some for 33/45. Then we get one 504GL with cartridge player inside,anytime our papa wan give us treat those days e go carry us go Federal palace hotel,bar beach and museum drive us aruond Ikoyi Lagos fine then no be small.All the music we dey enjoy then na pure Nigeria music nothing like rap,pop or hip-pop.As for TV no dish purely NTA. Then NEPA no dey take light as dem like,school no plenty for Lagos then.No place like ALLEN,OPEBI,LEKKI. As for our shopping we dey buy things for UTC,KINGSWAY,LENNARDS,BATA,CHALLERAMS,AND LEVENTIS, de fast food joint wey i grow up to know na EDDIE KING BURGER also during christmas we go visit father christmas for KINGSWAY. Anyway dey old music wey i like na 1.ORLANDO OWOH 2.PRINCE ADEKUNLE(Aiye renti eleya) 3.I.K DAIRO 4.ORIENTAL BROTHERS(ebonye onye and 1979 go slow) 5.EBENEZER OBEY 6.KING SUNNY ADE 7.HARUNA ISHOLA 8.VICTOR UWAIFO 9.SUNNY OKOSUN(Fire in Soweto) 10.FELA ANIKULAPO-KUTI Anytime i remember the QUALITY of life then compare to now I always pray make GOD punish those people wey spoil NIGERIA. Egbon thanks once again Posted by RAYNOSA| 29.09.2007 13:20

RAYNOSA  Villager

# 9 @ AUSPPY, Cool down TONY won't come on this thread the topic is not about LAGOS,ABUJA,EAST,NIGER-DELTA,NORTH and OIL. Trust me. Posted by RAYNOSA| 29.09.2007 13:29

truthsayer33  Villager

# 10 youtube has some hot highlife videos Posted by truthsayer33| 29.09.2007 14:08

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