Bongos Ikwue
Bongos Ikwue | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Bongos Ikwue |
| Born | 6 June 1942 Oturkpo, Benue State, Nigeria |
| Origin | Benue state, Nigeria |
| Genres | Highlife. Soul |
| Occupations | Singer. Performer. Entertainer. Musician. |
| Years active | 1973–present |
| Labels | Bongos & The Groovies |
Bongos Ikwue (born 6 June 1942)[1] is a Nigerian singer and songwriter known for his fusion of Afrobeat, highlife, folk, and blues.[2]
Early life
[edit]He was born on 6 June 1942 at Oturkpo, Benue State, Nigeria. His musical journey began in his youth, forming his first band, the Cubana Boys, during his time at Okene Comprehensive Secondary School. He later attended Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria where he formed the UniBello Brothers and participated in a folk group led by university lecturers. In 1967, he founded Bongos & The Groovies, a band that gained popularity in Nigeria during the 1970s and 1980s.[3]
Career
[edit]Ikwue's music features melodies and lyrics that address themes such as love, unity, and social issues. Notable songs in his discography include "Cock Crow At Dawn," "Still Searching,"[4] "Tell My Girl," "Amen," and "Otachikpokpo." "Cock Crow At Dawn" was used as the theme song for a Nigerian television soap opera that aired into the 1990s.[5] In 2008, Ikwue released the album Wulu Wulu, which included collaborations with his daughters, Omei and Jessica Ikwue.[6]
Ikwue received the African Movie Academy Award (AMAA) for Best Soundtrack in 2011 for his contributions to the film Inale, released in 2010. The film is a Nigerian musical drama produced by his daughter, Keke Bongos Ikwue, and directed by Jude Idada. It portrays the story of Inale, a young woman from a traditional village, confronting themes of love, sacrifice, and destiny.[7][8]
In 2021, Ikwue was featured on the single "Searching", released by 2Face Idibia. The track features a mix of English and Idoma lyrics and showcases a collaboration between two artists from different musical generations.[9]
Achievements and awards
[edit]- Lifetime Achievement Award – Nigerian Music Awards (2005)
- African Movie Academy Award: Best Soundtrack for the film Inale (2011).[8]
- Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria (MCSN): Joined in 2022.[10]
- Presidential Recognition: Congratulated by President Muhammadu Buhari on his 80th birthday for his contributions to Nigerian music and culture.[11][7]
- His song "Still Searching" was featured on the compilation album Black Starliner.[12]
- Nigerian Music Industry Merit Award (2016)
Awarded for his consistent excellence and influence in shaping the soundscape of Nigerian music.
- Performed at Akwa Ibom Christmas Carols Festival (2014), which was recognised by Guinness World Record for the "Largest Assembly of Carol Singers on the Face of the Earth."[13]
- Appointed Special Copyright Inspector (2019) by the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC)
.[14]
Selected discography
[edit]- "Still Searching"
- "Cock Crow At Dawn"
- "Wulu Wulu"
- "The Way It Is"
- "Inale"[15]
- "Tell my girl"
- "What's Gonna be's Gonna be"
- "Amen"
References
[edit]- ^ Bode (5 June 2022). "President Buhari congratulates music maestro, Bongos Ikwue at 80". Nationalaccordnewspaper.com. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
- ^ "Celebrating Icon Bongos Ikwue of Benue State". benuexclusive.com.ng. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
- ^ Oti, Sonny (2009). Highlife Music in West Africa: Down Memory Lane--. African Books Collective. pp. 114–120. ISBN 978-978-8422-08-2.
- ^ rutaloot (27 November 2008). Still Searching - Bongos Ikwue And The Groovies. Retrieved 24 June 2025 – via YouTube.
- ^ Jazz, All About (8 January 2013). "Jazz news: The African Folk Soul of Bongos Ikwue". All About Jazz. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
- ^ Ameh Comrade Godwin (9 February 2012). "ENTERTAINMENTMusic legend Bongos returns with the way it is". Dailypost Newspaper. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ^ a b "2011 Africa Movie Academy Awards Winners". Linda Ikeji's Blog. 28 March 2011. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
- ^ a b "AMAA Winners - Africa Movie Academy Awards". 23 July 2024. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
- ^ Official2Baba (7 September 2021). Searching - 2BABA ft. Bongos Ikwue. Retrieved 24 June 2025 – via YouTube.
{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Nation, The (31 August 2022). "Bongos Ikwe joins MCSN". The Nation Newspaper. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ^ "Buhari congratulates Kumuyi at 81, Bongos Ikwue at 80". The Guardian Newspaper. 6 June 2022. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ^ DailyTimesNGR (9 June 2024). "Garlands As Veteran Musician, Bongos Ikwue Turns 82". Daily Times Newspaper. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ^ The Nation (17 December 2014). "Bongos Ikwue, Angela Christie for Ibom Carol Night". The Nation Newspaper. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
- ^ "NCC installs music legend, Bongos Ikwue Special Copyright Inspector". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ Ovueraye, Jite (3 November 2010). "The Story Behind INALÉ – BN attends the Abuja Premiere and Reviews the epic Nigerian Musical". BellaNaija. Retrieved 24 June 2025.