The Igbo highlife music is not just a music genre, it is a part of Igbo culture. This very unique Igbo sound has moved from the southeast to the global stage. In April 2021, for instance, Google dedicated a doodle to one of the legends of Igbo highlife music in Africa, Oliver De Coque. The reach of this general is astounding.
Igbo highlife music is a contemporary musical genre that combines highlife and Igbo traditional music. It first started in the then Eastern Region of Nigeria, in the 1950s. 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 with an occasional infusion of Pidgin English
Over time, the Igbo highlife scene has seen the coming and goings of legends who whipped up the crowds when they struck their cords. Some of these legends are responsible for taking highlife to the world and keeping it there long after they are gone. Here are the top five Igbo highlife musicians of all time in no particular order of influence.
Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe
Nicknamed “the Doctor of Hypertension” Osadebe was known for his song’s hypnotic and mesmerizing abilities, which were considered by people as a healing balm to the troubled soul.
Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe is considered the leading pioneer of Igbo highlife music to date, during his music career which spanned over 40 years, he composed more than 500 songs.
His diversification in the style of music made him stand out, so much that some refer to him as the father of Igbo highlife. In order to grip percussion, guitars and wind instruments dominated his music. On occasions, he integrated saxophone solos into his songs. He also fused rhythms such as merengue and rumba into his music.
Osadebe was the first to incorporate “criticism” in his song starting with his famous album “Osondi Owendi”, his album “Kedu America” is considered his best.
Osadebe had a lot of firsts in the Igbo highlife music scene, hence, he drew outstanding attention and awards. Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe is truly the Elder Statesman of Highlife.
Oliver De Coque
Oliver De Coque was one of the most famous musicians and highlife bands in Africa. And it is not just “was”; he is still famous, more than ten years since his passing away. The impact of his songs is such that some even doubt if he is dead, his songs are always evergreen, a pure art.
De Coque was one of the musicians whose talents were limitless churning out albums after albums, all of them a classic, before death he had about 70 albums posthumously more albums were released which sums up to 93 albums, that is what legends are made of.
De Coque was known for infusing the modern West African highlife genre with a Congolese-influenced guitar style and the energetic dance elements of Igbo music he grew up with, crafting a unique musical style called Ogene. Before his debut album in 1977 “Messiah Messiah”, his solo in 1946 was making waves already, De Coque’s music only grew in popularity at home and abroad.
Five Facts You Need To Know About Oliver De Coque
One thing about De Coque was his flamboyant lifestyle which flowed through his music style too.
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi crowned him the King of Highlife due to his consistency. He was that strong and respected in other cultures. He was given an Igbo title as the Ikemba.
The University of New Orleans awarded him an honorary doctorate in music in recognition of his feats in the industry.
On April 14th, a Google doodle was showcased in his honor to mark his posthumous 74th birthday.
Bright Chimezie
To stand out in your music career is one thing, to create an entire music style is a whole new level, and Bright Chimezie did that. And more.
He fused traditional Nigerian music, Igbo highlife with chanted vocals to birth Zigima sounds. This sound drew more attention to Igbo highlife, setting a new pace. His peak was the 1980s and up to the 1990s.
His music style became known as Zigima sounds, with several highlife musicians today following his cue.
Bright Chimezie critiqued social issues, presenting them in a fun engaging way. His album ‘Respect Africa’ cemented his spot on the highlife scene, in the album he made jest of social ills. His legwork was legendary it earned him a nickname ‘Duke of Africa’ with the way he moved whilst chanting.
Dr. Sir Warrior
Christogonus Ezebuiro Obinna alias Dr. Sir Warrior was a force on the highlife scene for more than two decades.
Dr. Sir Warrior started performing at a very young age, at 16, he had already gained popularity. He attained fame for his voice and performance of Èsè music until his demise in 1999.
He entered the center stage when he joined the Oriental Brothers International Band, he was their leader till they splintered and micro-groups were created. They performed both in Nigeria and internationally when they were still together.
The revolution of high life music in Igboland
Combining his Unique Igbo vocals, skillful playing of guitar, and solid chorus, Warrior was in a league of his own. He is one of the most influential highlife musicians of all time.
Celestine Ukwu
He was described as a ‘Prolific and outstanding composer’ by one of Nigeria’s top music critics, Benson Idonije.
Celestine Ukwu was best known for his hit songs “Enu Ije”, “Igede” and “Money Palava”. His songs have been featured on a world music compilation.
A writer once wrote that his discography “gave food for thought to its listeners”. We agree.
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