The Nigerian Music Industry witnessed the loss of some of the finest musicians in the industry this year much to the dismay of fans and music lovers in the country and across the world. In this article, we examine some of the major deaths recorded in the music industry in Nigeria for the year 2020.
1) Majek Fashek – Veteran Reggae star, Majek Fashek is widely known for his debut album “Prisoner of Conscience” released in the 1990s with the hit single “Send Down the Rain”. He performed on Shows like “The Late Show with David Letterman”, signed with Interscope Records in the United States and released the hit single “So long Too Long” and wrote the “We Are Not Afraid” soundtrack for fundraising by Photographer Bob Gruen which featured more than 150 artistes across the world. He died on June 1st, 2020 at age 57.
2) Kodak – Kodak was one of the very popular young dancers in the Nigerian Music industry appearing in videos of artistes like Burna Boy, Tekno, Davido, Dremo, Olamide, Iyanya etc. She also appeared in Blaqbonez “Haba” as the main video vixen just before her death. Her death was controversial as she was said to have been electrocuted in a video director’s home in Lagos. She died in April 2020.
3) Tony Allen – Sir Tony Allen is renowned as one of The World’s Greatest Drummers and pioneer of the AfroBeat genre as he worked closely with Fela Anikulapo Kuti, creating most of the melodies that set the foundation for Afrobeat till date. Tony Allen recorded more than 30 albums with Fela Kuti infusing elements of Jazz, Funk and African Drum patterns into the instrumental composition of the songs. He died in Paris in May 2020.
4) Victor Olaiya – Victor Olaiya was a Nigerian Trumpeter and highlife musician. Some of his hit songs include “Oda le Ore”, “Feso Jaiye”, “Omo Pupa” and “Baby Mi Da”. The likes of Tony Allen and Fela Kuti also played with Victor Olaiya at a point in their career. The Veteran musician died on Feb 12, 2020 at the age of 89.
5) Ejiro – Ejiro is the lead vocalist of popular singing group, Veentage Band. The Singer who ran the band with her Husband Desmond, died in Dubai on March 5th 2020. She was in Dubai to perform at the 90th birthday party of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamilia. After the party, she went in for a surgery where she sadly passed away.