Legendary highlife music maestro, Mike Ejeagha has passed away at the age of 95. He died on Friday around 8 p.m. at the 32 Garrison Hospital in Enugu State after a prolonged illness.
Recall that in 2024, the veteran musician, renowned for his 1983 hit track ‘Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche’, experienced a resurgence in popularity after popular skitmaker and dancer, Brain Jotter, used the Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo song for his viral dance moves.
The dance involves two or more people facing opposite directions, walking towards each other, performing a humorous leg dance, and then one chases the other while the chorus ‘Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo’ plays in the background.
Who is Mike Ejeagha?
Ejeagha, celebrated for blending Igbo folklore and proverbs into timeless music, began his music career in the mid-20th century and has been influential in the evolution of music in the Igbo language for over 6 decades. His first hit was in 1960 – the year of Nigeria’s independence.
He was a prominent figure on Nigerian radio in the 1980s, captivating audiences across generations with his distinctive style.
Aside from being a great guitarist, Ejeagha is described as a distinct storyteller known for his ability to tell popular Igbo stories and folklore using his music.
He has contributed over three hundred recordings to the National Archives of Nigeria produced during his fieldwork to investigate Igbo folklore highlife music.
Some of his other songs include ‘Onye Ori Utaba’, ‘Enyi Ga Achi’, ‘Uwa Ngbede Ka Mma’, ‘Anyi Fulu Ozu Ene’, ‘Atualu Omalu’, ‘Elulube Lube’, ‘Onye Ndidi N’Eli Azu Ukpo’, ‘Udo Ka Nma’ and ‘Agbata Obi Onye Bu Nwanne Ya’.
Ejeagha is considered one of the pioneers of the highlife genre in Nigeria.