Prince Nico Mbarga: A Brief Look

Born to a Nigerian mother and a Cameroonian father on Jan 1, 1950 in Abakaliki, Nigeria, Prince Nico embraced the musical traditions of both cultures.

Prince Nico's music was inspired by the five years he spent in Cameroon during the Nigerian Civil War in the late 1960s.

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.

He formed his own group, Rocafil Jazz, after returning to Nigeria two years later and performed regularly at the Naza Hotel in Onitsha. In 1973, Nico and his group released a single which was met with little fanfare but their second single, "I No Go Marry My Papa," became a regional hit.

The band's inability to break past their regional following resulted in their recording contract being dropped by EMI. The band later signed with another label as "Rogers All Stars."

EMI had turned down the demo-tape of "Sweet Mother" in 1974, citing its childish appeal as reason. Prince Nico then headed for Decca, another recording giant, and was again rejected. In December of 1976, Rogers All Stars, a recording company in Anambra State, recorded the album.

In 1976, Prince Nico and his band, Rocafil Jazz, released the biggest African hit ever, the classic "Sweet Mother."

The album soon became a national anthem, largely because of its emphasis of motherhood and its brilliant fusion of Cameroonian, Nigerian, and Zairean styles (highlife and Congo music).

"Sweet Mother" sold over 13 million copies, was sung in Pidgin English and by the end of the 1970s Prince Nico's influence was going international and reshaping the music of some Ghanaian and Caribbean bands.

For the next six years, Prince Nico and Rocafil Jazz recorded nine albums.

Biography courtesy of NigeriaExchange www.ngex.com

To listen to the famous hit "Sweet mother", go Nigeria Arts website

name: Prince Nico Mbarga (late)

To return to this page, visit
http://www.Nigeria-Arts.net/Music/Panko/Prince_Nico_Mbarga/

Comments

[Thom]

Here, Discographie, Cover Lps.

Excellent Site,

http://africambiance.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1740

Regards,

Thom

[WIRNDZEREM GIDEON B.]

Thanks very much for these informations about the legendary, superlative, inimitable genius of african music! DO we only have sketches of his very richly 'mettissaged' life and music: a panafrican musical & cultural bridge & unifier? Is there a complete biography of this superstar? if not then it is a shame to us all, myself inclusive!