Nigeria 80

Description

Strut presents Nigeria 80, the essential chapter of the legendary Nigeria 70 series, which dives into the explosive sound universe of 1980s Nigeria. Following the global success of Nigeria 70 (2001), which introduced rare Nigerian recordings to the international public, Nigeria 80 continues the journey, revealing a rich, vibrant, and creatively overflowing musical decade, from Lagos to Enugu. Despite the economic instability and restrictive political context of the 1980s, the Nigerian music industry thrived, supported by a growing network of independent labels such as Tabansi and Phonodisk, which championed local artists and fostered creative freedom. The 1980s were also marked by increased visibility of female artists, with pioneers like Onyeka Onwenu who helped redefine the musical landscape and paved the way for a new generation of performers, songwriters, and producers. Nigeria 80 bears witness to the extraordinary richness of this era, with all the tracks reissued here for the first time. This compilation brings together essential recordings from the entire spectrum of Nigerian music: the highlife legends Victor Uwaifo and Nico Mbarga share the spotlight with Paulson Kalu, whose signature track "Akugbue Nwa Ewu" perfectly illustrates the genre. "Soko Soko" by Prince David Bull (later reinterpreted by Starboy in his afrobeat hit "Soco") serves as an essential link between the eras...