All you need to know about Nigerian Music History

There’s no doubt that Nigerian music is one of the most vibrant and exciting in the world. From Afrobeat to highlife to juju, each genre is packed with energy and flavor. But what many people don’t know is that Nigerian music has a rich history that spans generations.

In this post, we’ll explore some of the seminal moments in Nigerian music history, from the early innovators to the current stars on the scene. So sit back and enjoy a musical journey through time that is sure to keep your toes tapping.

The 1930s:

Early Nigerian Fusion Jùjú Music, which involves mainly talking about people and things in a fashion similar to early rap music (although with less profanity), originated in the Nigerian city of Lagos. Recordings were first made by Yoruba musician Tunde King in 1929, but it was not until the next decade that artists like Irewole Denge and Ojoge Daniel rose to fame. By this time, Jùjú had started becoming more commercialized, although it maintained its roots as informal music played at parties or for friends; these parties eventually turned into actual concerts featuring musicians performing together on multiple musical instruments. Artists like Irewole Denge, Ojoge Daniel, and Ebenezer Obey were among the most successful artists of this era; their music is still popular today.

The 1940s:

Highlife Music Another Yoruba musician, Ephraim Nkansah (better known as King Bruce), started experimenting with new instruments to create what would become highlife. He added Western drums and brass instruments to traditional African percussion instruments like gourds, bells, and talking drums. The first highlife songs were recorded in 1948 by Ephraim Nkansah & His Crusados, although it was not until the next decade that the genre gained mainstream appeal.

During this time, Ghanaian artists like E. T. Mensah and E.K. Nyame were also producing highlife music, although many Ghanaian artists.

The 1950s:

Jazz, Rhythm & Blues, And The Arrival Of Guitar Highlife. The 1950s saw major changes in Nigerian music; it was not only the decade when highlife spread through Nigeria, but it was also when
other genres like jazz and rhythm & blues (R&B) came into existence.

These genres had a huge impact on African musicians because they introduced new instruments like guitars and pianos to traditional African instruments.

For example, musicians started playing R&B-style guitar licks on traditional West African instruments like the koloko lute and alto
saxophone. It was also during this time that a new genre called guitar highlife was formed, which took elements of Afro-Cuban music and added them to Nigerian highlife. The foremost pioneer of guitar highlife is Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe, who easily became Nigeria’s most popular musician in the 1950s and 60s.

The 1960s: EMI Brings Highlife To A Global Audience

In the 1960s, recording technology improved dramatically, thanks to companies like EMI, which started releasing records from artists like Dr. Sir Warrior & His Sounds Of Brass and The Royal Dance Band. This group played a style of Nigerian pop music with heavy jazz influences and helped make the music of the era popular throughout Nigeria.

The 1970s: Afrobeat Revolutionizes Highlife And Reggae Roots

In 1969, guitarist/bandleader Fela Kuti formed his first band called Koola Lobos; they would eventually become one of Nigeria’s most famous bands (and the first to play Afrobeat music). Like other
Nigerian highlife artiste, Fela Kuti played guitar licks on West African
instruments. But unlike other highlife musicians, his songs were much
longer and explored many different styles like jazz, R&B, funk, and soul. They also explored social issues like corruption in the government; this was unheard of in mainstream Nigerian music at the time.

After years of being shunned by radio stations for their lyrics that insulted or criticized politicians, Fela started his own radio station called Radio Lagos. This helped his music gain more exposure throughout Africa than it had previously gotten.

Conclusion: The Golden Age Of Nigerian Music

In the 1960s and 1970s, Nigeria saw an explosion of genres like highlife, jazz, and R&B; this golden age also saw the growth of two styles that went on to become music legends: reggae and Afrobeat. No other period in Nigerian music history has produced as much musical talent as this one, which makes it one of the most exciting eras for any world music lover to explore. With so many genres coming into existence during this time, you can get lost exploring each new genre that comes out; but luckily there are plenty of resources out there, where you can look up songs by these artists.