The Nigeria of the “80s was a fascinating era for music. As a people, we became increasingly open to cross-cultural interactions, within Africa and beyond. These interactions left an impression evident in mainstream music and helped shape its evolution. As cultures from the West and other regions flooded major Nigerian cities, they left an indelible mark on our musical landscape. Additionally, Nigerian music of the ’80s saw the diffusion of an otherwise male-dominated music industry, as more women pursued successful singing careers, securing their places in music history.
Our music also made waves internationally, with individual achievements such as King Sunny Ade’s “Juju Music” reaching Billboard’s “Pop Albums” chart. We had hit after hit that dominated the airwaves, and I am very excited about our curated playlist at the end of this post.
Blasts From The Past
Most artists from the ’60s and ’70s retained a stronghold on popularity during the ‘80s. King Sunny Ade, Haruna Ishola, Ebenezer Obey, Chief Osita Osadebe, Oliver De Coque, and Victor Uwaifo remained relevant. They were also those whose fame transcended their passing, leaving a legacy that still endures today, Rex Lawson And Celestine Ukwu to mention a few.
The decade carried forward the brilliance of the 1970s. Juju music, Highlife, Akwete, and Apala remained popular, even with the emergence of new voices and styles, and is a testament to the mastery of their legendary pioneers.
Still The Battle Of The Bands
The culture of band music did not disappear in the 1970s. In fact, the number of bands seemed to increase, with their music readily available to delight audiences. Performing in nightclubs and bars, nightlife thrived in big cities like Lagos, Enugu, and Port Harcourt, proving that live instrumentation was here to stay. With elaborate stagecraft and extended instrumental solos, bands constantly competed for the attention of adoring fans.
The Peacocks International band
The Peacocks International Band was a dominant force in the Nigerian music scene during the ‘70s and ‘80s, producing timeless classics that remain popular today. This prolific Igbo highlife group, which emerged in the early 1970s, was known for its melodious music, deeply rooted in Igbo storytelling and social commentary.
Afrobeat Popularity
Although Fela Kuti is credited with revolutionizing Nigerian Afrobeats, a genre he popularized in the late ‘70s through the ‘80s, he was notably not the only player on the scene. Beyond Fela’s political and social activism through Afrobeats, musicians like Shina Peters and Sonny Okoson also contributed their unique interpretations of the genre, using their talent to make a difference.
Sonny Okosun
Sonny Okosun was a singer, guitarist, and composer who passed away in 2008. He was, by every indication, a legend in his own right—an advocate for social and political change, through what many have termed “musical activism.” He left behind an impressive collection of songs still loved and listened to today.
