Akanbi Wright

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Akanbi Wright who was also known as Akanbi Ege was a Nigerian musician from Lagos and an important figure in the early history of juju music, he was instrumental in the popular use of talking drums within that music genre. [1] His music gained popularity in the 1930s, playing with a band that once included another early juju exponent, Julius Araba. Wright's lyrics included political commentary about domestic and national issues, he was a supporter of Herbert Macaulay's NNDP and his last major hit was Demo lo L'eko, a boast about NNDP's widespread support in Lagos. [2] During the war, he composed songs in support of the British war effort and Nigerian soldiers in Burma, one such song was a popular hit, The Five Nigerian R.A.F [2] about five Nigerian trainees enrolled with the Royal Air Force.

Wright grew up in Olowogbowo, then a neighborhood dominated by Saro residents. He changed his last name from Wright to Ege, to support Nigeria's nationalism struggle. [2]

Recordings

[3]

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References

  1. Waterman, Christopher Alan (1990). Jùjú : a social history and ethnography of an African popular music. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. pp.  66, 82. ISBN   0226874648. OCLC   20594122.
  2. 1 2 3 Ajayi., Thomas, T. (1992). History of juju music : a history of an African popular music from Nigeria ([1st ed.] ed.). [Jamaica, NY]: The Organization. pp.  126-128. ISBN   0963326104. OCLC   27409755.
  3. West Africa, His Master’s Voice JL 1-39 – afrodisc.com.