The Nigerian Music Register (1920s-1960s)

Written By Kensedeobong Okosun

This playlist embodies and memorializes the works of Nigerian artists within the time frame of the 1920s to 1960s. It exists to evoke nostalgia and rekindle memory. It also provides an orientation on the Nigerian music evolution. This list is partly culled from memory, and partly from research and is therefore, inconclusive. Please note that the song titles, in very few cases, are not necessarily a reflection of these timelines.

1920s - 1960s

  1. Bobby Benson. "Taxi Driver" (Highlife)

  2. Celestine Ukwu. "Igede" (Highlife)

  3. Dan Maraya Jos. "Lebura" (Hausa Folksong)

  4. Ebenezer Obey. "Je Ka Jo" (Jùjú)

  5. Fatai Rolling Dollar. Ori Wa a Dara" (Jùjú)

  6. Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. "Shakara" (Afrobeat)

  7. Haruna Ishola. "Ojo Lolori Enimayo Kowa Ta" (Apala)

  8. Hubert Ogunde. "Eko" (Yoruba Folksong)

  9. I.K Dairo. "Mo So Rire Eleda Mi Modupe" (Jùjú)

  10. Inyang Nta Henshaw. "Mma Nkoyo" (Efik Folksong)

  11. Kasumu Adio. "Adekunle Fajuyi/ Abusi Edumare" (Apala)

  12. Ojoge Daniel. "Obirin Odale" (Jùjú)

  13. Oliver de Coque. "Ibiri Ka Mbiri" (Highlife)

  14. Oriental Brothers. "Ihe Eme Uwa Adimma" (Highlife)

  15. Orlando Julius. "Ololufe Mi" (Afro-Soul)

  16. Orlando Owoh. "Okan Mi Yin Oba Orun" (Highlife)

  17. Osita Osadebe. "Osondi Owendi" (Highlife)

  18. Peter Effiom. "Nya Iwang" (Efik Folksong)

  19. Rex Jim Lawson. "Sawale" (Highlife)

  20. Rex Williams. "Ubok Aka Inua" (Ibibio Folksong)

  21. Sunny Ade. "Aiye Nreti Eleya Mi" (Jùjú)

  22. Tunde King. "Aronke Macaulay" (Jùjú)

  23. Tunde Nightingale. "The Original 'Owa nbe' Sound" (Jùjú)

  24. Tunji Oyelana. "Alaru T'onje Buredi" (Yoruba Folksong)

  25. Udo Abianga. "Etok Idim" (Ibibio Folksong)

  26. Victor Olaiya. "Baby Jowo" (Highlife)

  27. Victor Uwaifo. "Guitar Boy" (Highlife)

DISCLAIMER: None of the music on this page is mine. They serve the purpose of enlightenment and entertainment. Please, support the music and their creators.

Kensedeobong Okosun

Kensedeobong Okosun (M.A Bielefeld University) is a music enthusiast, music researcher, music journalist with expertise in music selection & planning, vocalist and an author. Her academic article “Sisterhood and Soul Music as expressions of Black Power” is featured in the edited volume, Black Power in Hemispheric Perspective (Raussert & Steinitz, eds, 2022). She has reviewed Dorothea Gail’s Weird American Music for the Forum for Interamerican Research (fiar, 2019). Her literary review on Nigerian music titled “Nigerians and their Music” has been published on the Nigerian news platform Sun News Online, while her article “Remembering Victor Uwaifo, “Guitar Boy” and the quest to meet Mami Wata” graced The Nigerian Observer.

Kensedeobong’s blog highlights music’s interconnectivity with society and comprises personal music experiences, researched information, concept playlists for multiple themes, etc.

A hard-core 90s R&B fan, she utilises the vehicle of memory, to position long forgotten music of yesteryears on the front-burner.

She is persuaded that music is a core conduit of collective harmony, equanimity, vitality and healing. And as such requires criticality in the filtration process, in order to disseminate meaning. Her blog promotes music equality and diversity.

She resides in Germany.

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The Nigerian Music Register (1970s-1980s)
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Nigerians and their Music : A Historical Perspective*