Origin of reggae music in Nigeria

Reggae music in Nigeria

Reggae is a style of Jamaican music that evolved in the late 1960s which became a major part of music in Nigeria, especially after the rise of singer Majek Fashek. Fashek was, like many Nigerian reggae performers, a part of the long-running band 'The Jahsticks'.

While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae, more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.

Reggae music gained prominence in Nigeria in the mid eighties with the likes of the late Majek Fashek, late Ras Kimono, Orits Wiliki, Blackky, Evi Edna Ogoli, Victor Eshiet and Peggy Umanna (The Mandators) as well as Daniel Wilson (aka Mr Ragamuffin) as forerunners.

Of the aforementioned artistes, Orits Wiliki is one of the most relevant today among his contemporaries.

The musician, who gained recognition upon the success of his 1989 album, ‘Tribulation” produced in part by Lemmy Jackson, would go on to dominate the genre throughout the 1990s

In the last decade, reggae music in Nigeria has experienced a sharp decline partly due to the demise of some of the forerunners and what we like to describe as the loss of commercial appeal.

But Orits, maintains that despite the death of prominent Nigerian reggae musicians, reggae is still very much alive.

TOP NIGERIAN REGGAE MUSICIANS

Reggae has a lot of power, energy, vibe, and rhythm. Unfortunately, it is no more appreciated by young Nigerians who prefer listening to completely meaningless songs in the "afrobeats" genres. While some of Nigeria's greatest reggae musicians like Ras Kimono and Majek Fashek have passed away, others have maintained their popularity and are still well-known today. Others have faded and are living a simpler life. Here are some of the most well-known reggae stars from the past and what they have been up to.

1. Orits Wiliki Orits Wiliki was one of the musicians who became well-known in the 1980s and 1990s after the release of his debut album, "Tribulation." Orits Wiliki may not be as well-known as he once was, but he continues to perform his hit songs at events across Nigeria.

2. Evi-Edna Ogholi Evi Edna Ogholi is a Nigerian reggae singer best known for her song "Happy Birthday." The song was popular at most birthday parties and is considered one of the most classic songs of the 1990s. Edna Ogoli presently resides in France and was honored in February with a Humanitarian/ Legendary award.

3. The Mandators Victor Essiet and Peggy Essiet, a couple, formed the Mandators, a reggae band. Despite the fact that they later split up, the duo created some fantastic music together. The band flourished in the 1980s and early 1990s. Their album "Crisis" was a smash hit, and their career took off. "Rat Race" and "Inflation" are two of their most famous songs. Victor Essiet is now based in the United States, but he is still a proud Nigerian.

4. Daniel Wilson At one point, Daniel Wilson, nicknamed Mr Ragamuffin, was one of Nigeria's most popular reggae artists. He was tall, attractive, and admired by many women. When he sang, his smooth voice would make girls scream. Daniel Wilson, unlike some other 90s reggae singers who have moved abroad, still resides in Nigeria. He's now a businessman and politician, yet he's still a musician with over 17,000 Facebook followers. 5. Blackky Edward Inyang aka Blackky stormed the Nigerian music industry in the 1990s with his reggae hit song, "Rosie". He became the county's toast overnight. However, he dropped out of the music scene after six albums. He made a comeback in 2012, but it received little attention.

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