Mike Ejeagha
Mike Ejeagha | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Gentleman Mike Ejeagha |
| Born | 4 April 1930 Ezeagu, Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria |
| Origin | Imezi Owa, Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State |
| Genres | Igbo music |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, guitarist |
| Instrument | Guitar |
| Years active | 1957 - Present |
| Labels | Premier Records |
Mike Ejeagha (; born 4 April 1930) is a Nigerian folklorist, songwriter, and musician from Enugu State. He hails from Imezi Owa in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State. He grew up in Coal Camp in a family headed by his Civil Servant dad, then working with Ministry of Health Enugu. He attended St. Patrick's Primary School, Ogbete Enugu.[1]
Ejeagha started his career in music in the mid-20th century. Also known as Gentleman Mike Ejeagha, he 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.
Early Life And Career
[edit]Mike Ejeagha hails Imezi Owa,Ezeagu Local Government of Enugu State. He was born in 1930 at Enugu,Nigeria. His passion for music started from a tender age, he played the Ogene with his friend.[2] In 1945, he joined the renowned coal camp boys. A local music group at the time. After completing his elementary education in 1948,he continued to pursue his passion for music. During the Christmas celebrations, his music would engage in friendly completion with other prominent groups, including the Ogui Group and Dodokido Group.
In 1949, he began apprenticing with a barber and musician friend Cyprain Ozochiawa at the age of 20, to learn the art of barbing. During his apprenticeship, he also learnt how to play the guitar in his spare from Cyprain Ozochiawa and Moscow.[2] Mike has always been interested in music and was a chorister. He followed musicians around anytime,he saw them performing.[1]
In 1950, proved to be a breakthrough year when he was called by Joseph Ogbu to join his band as a guitarist which he received payment for at end of each performance.[2] This opportunity did not only hone his musical skill but also enabled him to acquire his own musical instruments, ultimately inspiring him to start his own band known as Mike Ejeagha and the Merrymaker His talent soon caught the attention of the Atu Ona, controller of the Nigerian Broadcasting Service,who extended an invitation for an audition. Impressed by his skill, Atu Ona offered him a radio program titled 'Guitar Playtime'. This marked the beginning of his broadcasting career, as he began performing on radio and producing engaging musical programs. Also during this time he formed a bigger music group called premier dance band.[3]
During the Biafran war, he disbanded his music group due to the war. But continued to share his talent on a radio program known as 'igbo paly' aired by Radio Nigeria. To escape the war, he left Enugu to Umuahia,where he remained till the end of the war. Interestingly, he used to play for soldiers. But, before the outbreak of the war, Mike had already released several singles in collarboration with CT Onyekwelu of Niger phone records, including: The unfortunate lady(1957),c0lliery massacre(1959) and Ofu nwanne(1959).[1]
After, the Biafran Civil War,Mike was invited by Nigerian Television Authority as a guest presenter for an igbo program 'akuko N egwu' in 1972. Which soon gained him widespread fame. The show featured folksong lyrically composed by Mike and his group. The program's success made Mike more known and gave rise to the iconic igbo expression 'Akuko Mike Ejeagha',cementing his legacy in Nigerian entertainment.[1]
Personal life
[edit]Mike married his first wife in 1959,having three children before her untimely passing in 1963. He remarried in 1965 and had seven more children, who are all happily married.[1]
Achievements
[edit]Ejeagha is a distinct story-teller accompanied by guitar style and his lyrics are laced with proverbs, lending his music a didactic style. He writes his own music and his lyrics are in Igbo language. Ejeagha said in 2004: "Life at old age is quite enjoyable, especially when the Almighty God gives you good health".[4]
Ejeagha has contributed over three hundred recordings to the National Archives of Nigeria produced during his field work to investigate Igbo folklore highlife music.[5]
On 12 September 2022, it was reported by Pulse Nigeria that a documentary film on his life titled "Gentleman" is under production. The Film is directed by Michael Chineme Ike.[6]
In July 2024, "Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche", a song which was released in 1983 as part of his album Akuko N'Egwu Vol. 1, gained widespread recognition due to a viral dance challenge inspired by comedian Brain Jotter.[7]
On September 2, 2024, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah visited Mike Ejeagha at his resident in Enugu, and during the inauguration of the newly constructed roads, he renamed the Abakpa Road after Gentleman Mike Ejeagha.[8]
Controversies
[edit]Ejeagha had a court case which was finalised in 2013 with his record label Premier Records as a result of producing a music video without the labels approval. The case was however withdrawn when Enugu State Government intervened in the matter.[9]
Discography
[edit]- Akanchawa
- Uwa Ngbede Ka Mma
- Elulube Lube
- Ezi Nwa Mgbeke.
- Enyi Ga Achi.
- Onye Uri Utaba.
- Ife Nji M’Ogo
- Atualu Omalu
- Ebini New Ude
- Mgba Enwude
- Udeze nwa nnem
- O di ka adi eme,
- Udo ka nma
- Ome ka agu
- Elulubelube
- Makojo
- Anene otulukpa
- Onye nwee o na-ebe onye enwero o na- ebe
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Ezeafulukwe, Olivia (1 January 2013). "Mike Ejeagha in the Advancement of Nigerian Oral Literature". ResearchGate.
- ^ a b c Agbanelo, Nnamdi (7 February 2019). "Mike Ejeagha - I won't risk my run during the war". BBC News Igbo.
- ^ Adebayo, Adebiyi (22 July 2024). "Here's all you need to know about Igbo Folk music legend Gentleman Mike Ejeagha". Pulse.
- ^ Nnenyelike, Nwagbo. "Life at oldage is quite enjoyable". Daily Sun. Retrieved 26 February 2012.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Sonny Oti (2009). Highlife Music in West Africa. Malthouse Press. p. 53. ISBN 978-978-8422-08-2.
- ^ Nwogu, Precious 'Mamazeus' (12 September 2024). "Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo by Mike Ejeagha Become Top Trending Song in Nigeria". Np Nigeria.
- ^ Egobiambu, Emmanuel (21 July 2024). "Mike Ejeagha's Classic 'Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche' Sparks Viral Dance Challenge". Channels Television. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
- ^ Adebayo, Adediyi (5 September 2024). "Enugu State governor names street after viral musician Gentleman Mike Ejeagha". pulse.ng.
- ^ Omosola, Friday (27 July 2024). "Royalties: Premier Records denies ripping off veteran singer Mike Ejeagha". Premuim Times.
- ^ "Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo: Everything You Need To Know About Mike Ejeagha - Dockaysworld". 26 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
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