Before the arrival of hip-hop, Afrobeats which has presently taken over the whole country, highlife was widely celebrated throughout Nigeria from the early 1950s until the late 1990s.
This genre was a very popular style of music in Nigeria then. Even though Nigerian music has undergone some serious evolution over the years, there are some highlife musicians that will always hold a special place in our hearts.
These Kings of highlife gave us great songs, and yesterday we celebrated the posthumous birthday of the legendary singer Sir. Victor Uwaifo, which left us reminiscing on the good old days.
So, on today’s show, we’ve decided to bring that sense of nostalgia to you as we would be talking about 5 LEGENDARY HIGHLIFE MUSICIANS.
- VICTOR UWAIFO
He is one of the musicians who popularized highlife music in Nigeria. However, he worked with Stephen Osadebe and Fred Coker before he formed his band Melody Maestros in 1965.
He made history when he won the first golden record in Africa in 1996 for his song ‘Joromi’ which was a massive hit in Nigeria and other parts of the country. His popular songs include; Guitar Boy, and Mami Water, to mention a few.
- OSITA OSADEBE
Chief Osadebe, as he was popularly called due to his high title chief in Igboland, was a singer-songwriter and record producer who was also known as the father of Igbo highlife music.
His music was influenced by his personal life experience, trials, and tribulations. Osadebe released the first album of his career in 1958 and later established his record label named Polygram Records Nigeria.
He went on to write over five hundred songs, and half of these songs were released commercially. His popular hits include: Osondi Owendi, Nwannem Ebezina, Kedu America, Onuigbo and others.
- VICTOR OLAIYA
The legendary musician was regarded as one of the pioneers of Highlife music in Nigeria as some people described him as ‘The Evil Genius of Highlife’.
He formed his own band called the Cool Cats in 1954 and renamed the group to All-Stars Band in 1963, which once had and trained some popular music icons like the drummer, Tony Allen and vocalist, Fela Kuti in his group.
His band was chosen to play at the state ball when Queen Elizabeth II visited Nigeria in 1956, also at the state balls when Nigeria became independent in 1960 and when Nigeria became a republic in 1963.
Some of his popular songs include; Baby Jowo (Baby Mi Da), Odale Ore, and Highlife Reincarnation, amongst many others.
- OLIVER DE COQUE
Some people refer to him as the Highlife king of Africa. Oliver De Coque is one of the most famous Nigeria’s Igbo Highlife singers, songwriters, musicians, and guitarists.
He formed his band called ‘Ogene sound super of Africa’ which blended modern high life and traditional Igbo music. During his career which spanned several decades, he recorded ninety-three albums.
He received international attention after performing in London in 1973, and his guitar work was featured in Prince Nico Mbarga’s 1977 album, Sweet Mother. Some of his popular songs are; People’s Club, Identity, Tolerance, No More War and others.
- BRIGHT CHIMEZIE
When talking about legendary highlife musicians, Bright Chimezie is another big name! He is considered a founder of the new style of Nigerian music called ‘Zigima Sound’ which is a mix of Igbo highlife, traditional Nigerian music and chanted vocals.
The lyrics of his songs were focused on social issues affecting Nigeria. He is also well-known for his dance, which makes some people refer to him as “The Duke of African Music”.
He has popular songs like; Ube Nwanne, Because of English, and African Style, to mention a few.
See the video below for more!
