Prince Nico Mbarga

Prince Nico Mbarga
Distinguish from Dr Nico.
Prince Nico Mbarga
Background information
Birth name Nico Mbarga
Also known as Prince Nico
Born January 1, 1950(1950-01-01)
Origin Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
Died June 24, 1997(1997-06-24) (aged 47)
Genres Highlife
Occupations singer, songwriter, record producer
Years active 1970 – June 24, 1997
Associated acts Chief Osita Osadebe

Prince Nico Mbarga (1 January 1950 – 24 June 1997) was a highlife musician, born to a Nigerian mother and a Cameroonian father in Abakaliki, Nigeria. He is renowned for his hit song "Sweet Mother", recorded with his band Rocafil Jazz.

Contents

Music

He played the xylophone, conga, drums, and electric guitar in school bands and he made his professional debut as a member of a hotel band, the Melody Orchestra, in 1970.

Career

Early years

Although he only recorded one significant hit, "Sweet Mother," in 1976, which sold more than 13 million copies (and which is recognised as one of Africa's greatest songs), Mbarga played an important role in the evolution of African popular music. With his soulful vocals set to the light melodies of his acoustic guitar, Mbarga created a unique hybrid of Igbo and Congolese guitar playing and uplifting highlife rhythms. He formed his own group, Rocafil Jazz, to perform regularly at the Naza Hotel in the eastern Nigerian city of Onitsha.

After releasing a disappointing single in 1973, Mbarga and Rocafil Jazz had their first success with their second single, I No Go Marry My Papa, which became a regional hit. The band's inability to break past their local following resulted in their recording contract being dropped by EMI, a decision that proved ill-fortuned when the band signed with Rogers All Stars, a Nigerian recording company based in Onitsha, and recorded "Sweet Mother".[1]

Sung in Pidgin English, "Sweet Mother" became one of the top sellers in the history of Nigerian music. In the six years that Mbarga and Rocafil Jazz remained with Rogers All Stars, 1975 to 1981, they recorded nine albums.

Later years

Temporarily relocating to England in 1982, Mbarga became known for his flamboyant, 1970s glam rock-inspired performances. While he continued to appear with Rocafil Jazz, Mbarga also performed with London-based highlife band the Ivory Coasters and Cameroonian vocalist Louisiana Tilda. Despite launching his own Polydor-distributed record label, upon returning to Nigeria, Mbarga and the original members of Rocafil Jazz separated after several Cameroon-born members were deported. Although he later formed the New Rocafil Jazz Band, Mbarga failed to match his early success. Leaving music, he turned his attention to managing the two hotels that he owned, Hotel Calbar and the Sweet Mother Hotel.

Death

Prince Nico Mbarga was killed in a motorcycle accident on June 24, 1997, leaving behind "Sweet Mother" as the most popular song amongst Nigerians [1]. Sweet Mother is sometimes called Africa's anthem and has been voted Africa's favourite song by BBC readers and listeners.

Sample Music

References

External links


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Prince Nico Mbarga — (* Januar 1950, Abakaliki, Nigeria; † 24. Juni 1997) war ein Highlife Musiker, Sohn einer nigerianischen Mutter und eines kamerunischen Vaters. Bekannt wurde er für das mit seiner Band Rocafil Jazz eingespielte Lied Sweet Mother . Obwohl das sein …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Prince nico mbarga — (1 janvier 1950 – 24 juin 1997) est un chanteur, compositeur et interprète camerounais de son père et nigerian par sa mère. Né au Nigéria en 1950 de parents Camerouno Nigérian, Nicolas Mbarga de son vrai nom, a toujours été à cheval entre les… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Prince Nico Mbarga — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda Príncipe Nico Mbarga (1 de enero 1950 24 de junio 1997) fue un músico nigeriano highlife, de madre nigeriana y padre camerunés nacido en Abakaliki. Su música está inspirada por los cinco años que pasó en Camerún… …   Wikipedia Español

  • Prince Nico Mbarga — (1er janvier 1950 – 24 juin 1997) est un chanteur, compositeur et interprète camerounais de son père et nigerian par sa mère. Né au Nigéria en 1950 de parents Camerouno Nigérian, Nicolas Mbarga de son vrai nom, a toujours été à cheval entre les… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Mbarga — may refer to: Prince Nico Mbarga, (1950 1997) Nigerian musician Joséphine Mbarga Bikié, Cameroonian high jumper Janvier Charles Mbarga, Cameroonian footballer This page or section lists people with the surname Mbarga. If an …   Wikipedia

  • Nico (given name) — Nico is the given name, and is also used as a shortened form of the name Nicholas, particularly in Spanish and French, but also occasionally in English. It means Victorious People. People who have this given name include: Nico Assumpção (1954 ),… …   Wikipedia

  • Mbarga — ist der Name folgender Personen: Jean Mbarga (* 1956), katholischer Bischof von Ebolowa Prince Nico Mbarga (1950–1997), Musiker Diese Seite ist eine Begriffsklärung zur Unterscheidung mehrerer mit demselben Wort bezeichneter …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Sweet Mother — is a highlife song by the Nigeria/Cameroonian singer Prince Nico Mbarga and his band Rocafil Jazz. Released in 1976, it remains one of the most popular songs in Africa.The demo tape of Sweet Mother was turned down by EMI in 1974, citing the song… …   Wikipedia

  • Música de Nigeria — La música de Nigeria incluye muchas clases de música tradicional y popular africanas. Se relaciona con múltiples grupos étnicos del país, cada uno con sus propias técnicas, instrumentos y canciones. Poco se sabe sobre la historia de la música del …   Wikipedia Español

  • Music of Nigeria — Music of Nigeria: Topics Hausa Igbo Yoruba Apala Fuji Jùjú Afrobeat Afro juju …   Wikipedia

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