Where Are The Old Prophets Of Nigerian Music..By Kunle Onime

I was trying hard to compile the names of people that made entertainment their vocation in those days when there was nothing to show for it, the only reason they stuck to entertainment was the love they had for it and the list became inexhaustible, names upon names came to mind, and I became amazed as to how these whole people risked their lives all because they claimed they loved entertainment.
Some have remained in the industry, some have passed on to glory, a lot have moved on to seek greener pastures , I certainly cannot remember the names of every body and what they did at that time, Please feel free to add more names as they fit in.
My personal interest in the entertainment bizness started with the release of an album titled SODOM by TERRA KOTA; it had a hit track city called Sodom. It was a monster hit (only God knows where he is now)
The Reggae Genre ruled the airwaves then with the likes of MANDATORS ( victor Essiet & Peggy Umana) topping the list, followed by Ras Kimono (under pressure), Daniel Wilson (original bad boy) Majek fashek (rain maker) and others like Pete side ottong (banker turned musician), Isaac black, Arthur pepple, Desmond Dread, Dready samiko ,Evi Edna –Ogholi , Oritis Williki, and several others I possibly cannot remember.
Other genre of music was fully represented by the likes of Tina Onwidiwe(RIP), Veno +peter marighae , Cicely Omohinmi , Des +sheik majek ,Tosin Jegede, Bongos Ikwue, Sunny okosun (the African solider) , jide obi , Chris Mba, Xty Essien Igbokwe , onyeka onwenu, Nico Mbaga(sweet mother ) Rex Lawson , victor Uwaifo , Felix Liberty, Kris Okotie , Tony Okoroji (Juliana) Boy Chikason ,Lijadu sisters, Mandy Ojugbana , Uncle Tunji oyelana ,Dizzy k falola, Lorine okotie ,Esse Agese , Julie Pip ,Isaac Chinagorom ,Segun Arinze , Charley Boy, Alex O, Alex zitto,Onyeka Onwenu, Uche Ibeto,fellyx and Mossex, Sir Victor olaiya ,Hakeeb Kareem ,MC Skidoo + Duchess Maria ,Jnr & pretty ,Chris hanem , Chi Chi of Africa , blackky, Alex zitto, John shed rack, Zubby enebeli, fortune otega, Romeo otega,dede mabiaku, dele shosimi, Femi kuti ,Orlando Julius ,and the baba of them all , FELA ANIKULAPO KUTI, I can go on and on ………….Back up Artistes were the likes of Joan(massive dread band, Toyin Philips, Sybil amuta , ebi ghariokwu , Bunmi sanya etc.
The Hausa s had representation with Dan Maraya Jos and Zakky Azzay; they were not so appealing in this part of the world, so not much was known about the Hausa artistes...
There were also musical groups like Jahstikx, sweat and some others I cannot remember now
The Yoruba’s were in full force with the Likes of Sunny Ade, Ebenezer obey ,Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, King wasiu ayinde marshal , adewale ayuba, sandoka , Asimiyu Ajibori ,salawa abeni ,Kollinghton Ayinla, dele Taiwo, dayo kujore ,sir shina peters ,wale Thompson ,Haruna Ishola ,Yusuf olatunji ,Orlando owoh ,iya aladuke, Fatal olohunyo,Dauda epo- akara,Dele Abiodun, King sunny Ade,Sefiu Alao,Olu Fajemirokun, Yk Ajao ,wura fadaka, Micho Ade,Ahuja Bello, D -rovans band, Rasheed Ayinde, Shina Akanni, CAC Good women Choir, Funmi Aragabiye to mention a few
The easterners were represented by ikenga super stars, Oliver d coque, oriental brothers, osita osadebe, uche ogbuagu, nico mbaga, Bright Chimeze, Okukuseku, Nelly uchendu, and several others.
There were few groups as majority of the artistes pursued solo careers; the few were Jahstics band (black rice/majek fashek/George Orwell/Amos Mccroy), sweat (the Bensons) cloud 7, jambos express, Jnr and pretty.
Musical production had the likes of lemmy Jackson, Emma ogosi, Kingsley Ogoro while video production was majorly with Dudu, Kingsley ogoro/Simi Opeodu, and Philip trimnell.
The major recording companies were Premier music, emi/Ivory music and Sony music; these companies had the likes of Dean Disi, Bode Akinyemi, Uncle Laolu Akins and Beautiful Mrs. Keji okunowo at the helms of Affairs. There was very healthy rivalry between these companies. others who made things happen in these companies were DAYO OLOMU toma mason,Bukky Campbell, pa Chris ajilo, (premier music), Morgan okunuga (emi/ivory music) Tony Alenkhe, tope akinyele, Chris nwandu (Sony music )
Four major promotions companies were involved, dapo adelegan/olumide eso/kunle onime (DP lekki) Aibtonia (Aib ighehon/wife), Sun fun led by soul, small ben and Abu Abioro and then the oshinibosi brothers (Tunde and Toyin) with jeans carnival.
Artistes managers of note at that time were ,Kent Uche(Ras Kimono, Henry Anya (oritis wilikki), Gideon Nwamuo(Chris Hanem),Dayo olomu(Kwam1) , Percy Ademokun (Dele Taiwo), Kunle onime(Daniel Wilson/Arthur pepple) , Edi Lawani ,Sheriff Aderounmu+Akin Williams(Adewale Ayuba),Pedro Okojie(onyeka onwenu ),Ade Osijo(Tee Mac), Oslo Tajudeen (Barrister),Alhaji Morubo(kollington), kunle Alidu (salawa).
Radio and TV stations that kicked then were RN2 with the likes of Jacob Akinyemi Johnson (JAJ), Mani onumonu, soni Irabor etc., OGBC with the likes of kayode Akintemi, Kwame, Ambrose somide and later RAYPOWER. NTA2 was the in thing for entertainment with programmes like Morning ride (Danladi Bako), Friday Nite live (Patrick Doyle).
The print media held sway with the following people and organisations in no particular order –Amuka pemu(vanguard),muyiwa Adetiba, ladi Ayodeji(punch)Azuka Jebose(punch)Ben Tomoloju(guardian) Jahman Anikulapo(guardian),Femi Akintunde Johnson(punch/climax/fame/encomium), Jude Arijaje-my brother from another mother(punch),Tunde Aremu(punch),wale alibi(concord)Tosin Ajirire(concord), Al Humphrey(climax)moji Danisa(climax)Akin Ibisagba(climax)Dayo Asaju( fame)Yinka Oyekan(Todays choice),Dele Momodu(concord/classique)Kunle bakare(prime people/vintage people/classique/fame/encomium),Ekerete Udoh(Hints), Mayor Akinpelu(prime people/vintage people/fame/global excellence)Niyi Akinsiju(Todays choice/fame/fortunes),Oyin Onime(vanguard/prime people/climax/fame/sun), segun banjo(fame/ace/fortunes),Femi davies(todays choice/ace/metronews)Yemi oladehinde(fame)Azun Ishekwene(punch)Tunde kolawole(punch)Kolosa kargbo(vanguard/prime people(RIP)Wale Olomu(fame)RIP)Muka Popoola(Todays choice),Hakeem Ikandu(todays choice),Osa Irobor(todays choice), Dele Aberuagba(Lagos weekend/ Empire),Yinka Agboola(fame)Mike Adande(Lagos weekend/poise),Charles okogene(Lagos weekend/daily independent),Olumide iyanda(daily independent)Gboyega okegebro(Lagos weekend),Halim Mohammed(todays choice), Thomas Peretu (Lagos weekend/Premier music) Biodun Kupoluyi(punch/E24), Ejiro rene adigbo(hints/global excellence/top celebrities),Jumoke Giwa(hints/This day)peter Thomas(sketch/fame/punch)Azuh Arinze(fame/encomium/yes),Azuh Amatus(sun)Nat Osewele(concord/sun) Babs Adegbenjo(fame), Tunde Moshood(fame)Ayo Lawal(Pm News) the list goes on and on.
The few print media at that time were , vanguard, guardian, daily times(daily+ Lagos weekend), punch, champion, concord, tribune, sketch, while the soft sells were prime people, vintage people, climax, classique, fame and todays choice .
People patronised the following nite clubs and there were no fears of robbers or police, people moved freely anytime of the day or night to have unlimited fun in places like Caban Bamboo,Ace,Klass,Paradiso,Fantasy,Debasco,Laparias,Skindles,Floating Bukka, Jazz 38,Surulere Nite club, jazz Ville, Checkers .
Recognition in the Industry was only done by PMAN (Nigerian Music Awards and FAME (Fame Music awards.
Sponsorships unlike now, was only done by Coca-Cola and 7up, they both struggled to be involved in the sponsorship of music concerts like lekki sun splash, Xmas jam, super eagles concert, kings& Princes, unity concert and a few, The likes of sun fun entertainment raised funds on their own to organise their own concerts while Aibtonia had The ears of Government to organise concerts across the country to propagate some Government policies .i must not fail to remember the roles of EDI LAWANI , dele olukoju, wale oluwaleimu, uche okwuosa, and a few others whose name I can’t recall at the moment.
The Industry has witnessed several exciting reformations, we are indeed proud to be a part of the story and formative years where people suffered untold hardships just to remain relevant. Of all the names mentioned here, everyone has a story to tell, some very good, some very sad and unpalatable, some today are no more, some have moved on to some other thing and some have stayed glued to the industry, we thank God for the lives of those still alive today and are able to tell their stories and for those that have gone to the great beyond(God loves you)
Today, the industry is agog with several “stars “ and celebrities who are celebrated across the globe , companies now fall over each other to be a part of the industry that in now thriving, meanwhile a lot of these people who SUFFERED for the industry still live in penury.
I doff my hat for you all, for your contributions to this industry that has today become a goldmine.
Thank you all for your contribution, God bless you in what ever endeavors you are now involved.

 

By :Kunle Onime