The Nigerian Music Register (1970s-1980s)
This playlist embodies and memorializes the works of Nigerian music artistes in the 1970s and 1980s . It exists to engender nostalgia and rekindle memory. It also provides a road map and orientation on the Nigerian music evolution.
There were commonalities at the time like the predominance and multiplicity of music bands and front-men, mostly the originators, in the 1970s. This was similar to the American scene with bands like Earth Wind and Fire (with Maurice White), Kool and the Gang (with James J.T Taylor -Taylor was an employee), etc.
Furthermore, Nigeria was the career destination and paradise of many Africans. She harbored numerous international concerns and music record companies like Ivory Music, Polydor Records, Polygram Records, Premier Music, Emi Records, Tabansi Records, etc. Many artistes from other African countries created and marketed their music in Nigeria and were often perceived to be Nigerians, for instance: Bunny Mack (Sierra Leone), Jeff Tagoe (Ghana), Prince Nico Mbaga (Cameroun), etc.
In addition, there was a pervasiveness of respectability politics framed through the use of titles of distinction like royalty honorifics, honorary doctorate title and miscellaneous ones which included: “King”, “Sir”, “Chief”, “Dr”, “Captain”, etc. A first name and surname was insufficient for some. Those titles are excluded from this list.
Some of the names here are culled partly from memory and partly from research. As such, this is an inconclusive list which neither reflects nor acknowledges all the active players on the scene. This list is therefore, representational and serves to provide an impression of Nigerian music and its embodiment at the time.
Please, note that the song titles, in some cases, are not necessarily a reflection of these timelines.
1970s
Ayinde Barrister. "Suru Baba Iwa" (Fújì).
Ayinla Kollington. "Ijo Yoyo" (Jùjú).
Bongos Ikwue. "Cock Crow At Dawn" (Undefined genre).
Christy Essien- Igbokwe. "Eyen Kop Uyo Nmi" (Ibibio Pop).
Eboa Moukouri & His Super Dada Orchestra. "I Dey Go To My Country" (Highlife).
Eric Akaeze & His Royal Ericos. "Wetin Dey Watch Goat......." (Afrobeat).
Eric Kol. "My Precious Father" (Afro-Funk).
Felix Lebarty. "My Number One" (Afro-Funk).
Gentleman Mike Ejeagha. "Uwa Ngbede Ka Mma" (Highlife).
Goddy Oku. "Don't Ask Me" (Afro-Disco).
Godwin Omabuwa & His Cassanova Dandies. "Do The Afro Shuffle" (Afro-Funk).
Harry Mosco."Sugar Cane Baby" (Afro-Funk).
Kabaka International Band. "Ebeman" (Highlife).
Mary Afi Usuah. "African Woman" (Afro-Funk).
Muddy Ibe & His Nkwa Brothers System. "Maka Ndi Uta" (Highlife).
Nelly Uchendu. "Love Nwantiti" (Igbo Folkmusic).
Ntia & His Eastern Star Dance Band. "Eyen Mkpa Isong" (Ibibio Afrobeat).
Ofege. "Nobody Fails" (Afro-Funk).
Pazy & The Black Hippies. "Lahila" (Afro-Funk).
Robert Ebizimor & His Izon Brothers Band. "Iwa" (Ijaw Highlife).
Rogana Ottah & The Black Heroes International. "Ego Ni Nwa" (Highlife).
Salawa Abeni. "Orin Sele" (Waka).
Segun Adewale. "Play For Me" (Jùjú).
Sir Shina Adewale & The Superstars International. "Awa Ni Superstars" (Jùjú).
SJOB Movement. "Friendship Train" (Afrobeat).
Shina Peters. "Ace" (Afrojùjú).
Steady Arobby & International Brothers Band. "Onuma Dimnobi" (Highlife).
Sunny Okosuns. "Woman" (Afro-Pop).
Tee Mac Omatshola Iseli. "Nam Myoho Renge Kyo" (Pop).
Tony Okoroji. "Juliana" (Boogie-Disco).
1980s
Alex O. "Banana" (Afro-Pop).
Andy Shurman. "Kinky Reggaeman" (Afro-Reggae).
Bright Chimezie. "Respect Africa" (Highlife).
Charly Boy. "1990" (Afro-Punk).
Chris Mba. "Baby Don't Cry (Asa Baby) (Boogie-Disco).
Dizzy K. "Baby Kilode" (Afro-Funk).
Edmund Spice. "Iyeniyeh" (Highlife).
Evi Edna-Ogholi. "There Is No Place Like Home" (Afro-Reggae).
Feladey. "One Pound No Balance" (Highlife).
Femi Kuti. "Sorry Sorry" (Afrobeat).
Funmi Adams. "Ahayye Yaro" (Hausa Folkmusic).
Jide Obi. "Tonight" (Afro-Funk).
Kris Okotie. "I Need Someone" (Afro-Funk).
Lorine Okotie. "Love Medicine" (Gospel).
Majek Fashek. "Religion na Politics" (Afro-Reggae).
Mandators. "Rat Race" (Afro-Reggae).
Maxwell Udoh. "Enemies Are Coming" (Afro-Reggae).
Mike Okri. "Rhumba Dance" (Afro-Pop).
Onyeka Onwenu. "Dancing In The Sun" (Afro-Pop).
Panam Percy Paul. "I Am Serving A Living God" (Gospel).
Ras Kimono. "Rhumba Style" (Afro-Reggae).
Stella Monye. "Oko Mi Ye" (Yoruba Folkmusic).
Tyna Onwudiwe."Lite Low" (Reggae-Hiphop).
Uche Ibeto. "Nike Nike" (Igbo Folkmusic).
Veno Marioghae. "Nigeria Go Survive" (Afro-Disco).
Xstasy. "E Je Ka Jo" (Afro-Disco).
Yvonne Maha. "Wings of a Dove" (Afro-Funk).
DISCLAIMER: The songs on this page are not mine. They serve the purpose of entertainment and enlightenment. Please, support the creators.
