27/10/2022
From the 1930s, the Nigerian musical scene has evolved to include modern instruments, create unique genres and gain worldwide recognition.
1930’s Palm wine music and Apala
Nigerian music can be traced back to Palm wine music, a simple, melodious local folklore played at local celebrations. Following Palm wine music is the percussion-style Apala genre indigenous to the Yoruba people and made popular by Haruna Ishola. The genre has its roots from the Islamic call to prayer during the fasting month of Ramadan and was later influenced by Cuban music till it became popular. Apala uses drums, rattles (sekere), thumb piano and bells to create its simple, melodious and slow rhythm.
1950’s Juju and Highlife
The birth of Juju music in the 1950’s introduced more instruments mainly the ‘gangan’ (talking drum), electric guitar and the accordion. The pioneers of this genre were Tunde Nightingale and IK Dairo, however artistic rivals, Ebenezer Obey and King Sunny Ade, brought international fame and stardom to juju in the 60s. Ebenezer Obey’s music included complex talking drum percussion elements with lyrics that incorporated Yoruba expressions and his conservative Christian faith. His main rival, King Sunny Ade, dubbed the King of Juju music emerged in 1966 ushering new fans by incorporating key boards, background vocals and Jamaican dub music. He introduced the practice of having a guitar play the rhythm and drums play the melody which notably attracted a wide range of international audience who followed his instrumental style and are pleased with the complexity of his musical elements up to this day.
Highlife music originated in Ghana and spread to Nigeria becoming popular among the Igbos due to its easy jazz style crowned by Bobby Benson, the father of Highlife . “Sweet Mother” by Prince Nico Mbanga was one of the greatest highlife songs that became a Pan-African hit and sold more than 13 million copies – more than any other African single of its kind. Today, Highlife is still kept alive by musicians like Oliver de Coque, Sunny Okosun, Victor Uwaifor Orlando Owoh and Victor Olaiya, who’s hit ‘Baby Jowo’ was recently remixed in 2012.
