Aguike Of :Allah-Bama’ fame Returns Home With Wajo-The Leadership
Aguike Of :Allah-Bama’ fame Returns Home With Wajo
Written by Solomon Nda-Isaiah-The Leadership
Veteran musician Emma Ike Agu, better known as Allah-Bama, who left the shores of the country several years ago is back with a dance project called ‘Wajo’ which happens to be his latest music offering.
Wajo is being danced by youths across the globe, and Aguike said he’s in the country in continuation of the dance project.
He gained prominence in the country’s music scene in the early 90s, before embarking on self- imposed exile in America following the frustration and conspiracy that later became the order of the day in the music industry.
Speaking in a chat with us in
Lagos, Aguike said he’s als due to release a 24-track album in August, this year, adding that going back to the bases will help to sustain our music culture.
“ When next I will be home, I will be doing the Igbo war dance, which showcases the Igbo culture in a very contemporaneous way,” Aguike added.
Since bursting onto the country’s music scene with his delightful Afro rhumba calypso-influenced dance rhythms and melodies, Aguike, who’s recognized as a bridge between the old and new generation of Nigerian singers has consistently evolved as a singer, producer and songwriter.
While he has always possessed exceptional talent in songwriting, the legendary singer has continually reinvented himself and surpassed his previous offerings with each new endeavor and musical style.
Following the current trends , where Afrobeats dominates the global stage, Aguike’s latest efforts showcases an irresistibly contemporary brand of world-class Afrobeats creations that establish him as a maestro within the genre. He’s currently in the country to continue the dance project of his latest offering “Wajo” which is enjoying global acclamation.
His classics from the 90s like the timeless ‘Wajo Similaya’ continue to serve as musical benchmarks and points of reference. He’s credited to possess exceptional skills in reading musical notes and mastering various instruments. Aguike’s proficiency in sequencing and orchestrating his songs using popular digital audio workstations such as Protools and Studiolive is second to none. As an award-winning music producer himself, he holds a prominent position within the industry. In the 90s, he achieved success by releasing his music through his own record label while embarking on a national tour with support from the French Cultural Center in Lagos. He stands out among Nigerian musicians who emerged during that era .
Aside from being recognized for his musical talents, Aguike is highly regarded as a media guru, who took several years off from playing music to create a successful media platform. His accomplishments include winning numerous awards for best media personality along with declining honorary doctorate awards for headlining the African Inaugural ball for President Obama in 2008. Furthermore, he was honored in Edmonton, Canada after headlining the African dance festival there.
With his return to the music scene, Aguike’s new Afrobeats songs are a testament to his timeless songwriting creativity. He’s not only here to reclaim his spot, but also, reunite with the music clan back home and showcase his new sounds that cut across all audiences across the globe.
Thisday
Allah-Bama Returns with Wajo, Set to Release 24 Track Album-Thisday
Allah-Bama Returns with Wajo, Set to Release 24 Track Album
Tosin Clegg
Veteran musician Emma Ike Agu, popularly known as Allah-Bama, has made a triumphant return to the music scene with his latest dance project, ‘Wajo’. After spending several years abroad, he is back in Nigeria, spearheading the ‘Wajo’ dance project, which has gained traction among youth worldwide.
Having risen to prominence in the Nigerian music scene in the early 90s, Allah-Bama’s departure to America was prompted by frustrations and industry conspiracies. However, he’s now back with renewed vigor, set to release a 24-track album in August, aiming to preserve and promote Nigeria’s rich music culture.
Allah-Bama has expressed his commitment to showcasing Igbo culture through music, including plans for an Igbo dance performance. Throughout his career, he has bridged the gap between generations, evolving as a singer, producer, and songwriter.
His latest music embraces contemporary Afrobeats, aligning with global trends while maintaining his signature style.
Tracks like the iconic ‘Wajo Similaya’ from the 90s continue to resonate, cementing his legacy in Nigerian music.
Beyond his musical talents, he is recognised as a media luminary, with accolades for his contributions to the industry. From winning awards as a media personality to headlining prestigious events like the African Inaugural ball for President Obama, his impact extends far beyond music.
Now back in Nigeria, he aims to reclaim his position in the music industry, reconnect with his roots, and introduce his innovative sounds to a global audience. With his timeless creativity and unwavering passion, Allah-Bama is poised to leave an indelible mark on the music scene once again.
Aguike explains the reason for change of name . By Franz Dickson
Last year, the popular Nigerian international singer-songwriter, music producer, and media entrepreneur Emma Ike Agu, who is based in New York and has won multiple awards, decided to drop his first name and slightly alter his stage name. Since then, people have been curious about this change. As a result, I reached out to him to ask some questions about his new brand name.
Question: You were known as Emma Agu, also known as Alabama, for many years. What motivated the name change, and where did Aguike come from?
Answer: I became known as ‘Emma,’ a shortened version of Emmanuel. I was particularly fond of the first four letters of my name and had people call me ‘Emma.’ When I got my first international passport, I used ‘Emma’ as my first name. I also modified my nickname and added letters to reflect my early childhood. Therefore, I changed the name Alabama to Alaabama. I had a challenging experience in Aba town, the commercial city of Umuahia. When I received an invitation to an event in the United States, I had to go to the embassy twice and was rejected. It was not until my third appointment that I was granted a visa.
Aguike, allah Bama
When I arrived at John F. Kennedy Airport in Queens, New York, I had a rude shock. The customs and border security officer stared at me when he took my passport. He seemed hesitant to allow me entry. After processing my entry, another officer asked for my passport while I picked up my luggage. He inspected my passport, looked at me, and handed it back to me. I did not understand why I was receiving such treatment, and I feared that I might be denied entry. I noticed something unusual about my name after settling in New York for a few weeks. People would call me ‘Ms.’ when my phone rang, and I had to correct them repeatedly. The name ‘Emma’ is a common female name in the United States and Europe, which led to these mistaken identities.
Additionally, Alabama is a name associated with a state in the U.S. that has a history of racism. As I did not want to be called ‘Emmanuel,’ I decided to drop my entire name and started using IKE, which is my real middle name. While Agu is my last name, my family members referred to me as Nwa Agu, and I decided to combine my last name and middle name to create Aguike.
Before settling on Aguike, I considered using Mazi Iyke, which means Mister Iyke. However, I later discovered that an actress shared the same name whenever I searched mine online. Therefore, I chose Aguike, also known as allah bama. It was a quick process for my new brand name to gain popularity in search engines and on Wikipedia, with my images featured alongside it.
In conclusion, the international singer and hitmaker has been known to his fans by the stage name “Alabama.” However, this name evoked memories of the U.S. State of Alabama and its history of racism. Despite the former stage name having no connection to Alabama’s past, the artist decided to change to avoid misunderstandings or associations with uncomfortable memories. With his new stage name, Aguike is ready to continue captivating and delighting his fans worldwide with his music. His upcoming album’s latest singles are already receiving positive reviews online and on social media. The “Wajo Kusimi Laya” artist is back with a new stage name and is again focused on producing great music. Listen up, everyone – allah bama is back, and great music is back!
Franz Dickson
Who is the creator of AfroBeat- Aguike, alias Allah Bama, writes (part1)
Afrobeat is a dynamic fusion of palm wine style, Kwokrikwo, ‘Gelede,’ Highlife, and Hiplife. In the 1990s, many emerging West African musicians avoided categorizing their music as Highlife, as they believed it was reserved for older musicians. After exploring different genres for a new identity, many artists began incorporating and experimenting with makossa/soukous, the typical music genre of Eastern Africa, along with their dance moves. The influence of West Indies sounds like Reggae and Calypso started to permeate our music. However, it soon became clear that these trends were not sustainable. In the early 2000s, every innovative music producer returned to their roots, embracing the classic Highlife style that has now evolved into what we know as Afrobeat. This genre is now the primary category for songs marketed on all major digital platforms.
When researching the origins of Afrobeat and how the genre developed, the search results will credit Fela Kuti as its creator. However, there is minimal information available regarding the heroes of highlife music, such as pioneers like Emmanuel Tettey Mensah (E.T. Mensah), Bobby Benson, Victor Olaiya, Sam Akpabot, Ray Stephen Oche, Eddy Okonto, Roy Chicago, Chris Ajilo, Rex Lawson, Celestine Ukwu, and many others. Examining the timeline of when these legends began making Highlife music provides a clearer picture of who created Afrobeat.
E.T. Mensah established the Accra Rhythmic Orchestra around 1939, while Bobby Benson debuted in 1944 with the Negor Bullet, becoming the first African musician to tour parts of Europe. Victor Olaiya, influenced by Bobby Benson and Sam Akpabot, founded his band, the Cool Cats, in 1954. Unfortunately, Sam Akpabot remains unrecognized for his significant contributions to the West African music industry.
In Nigerian music culture, younger artists frequently ignore the contributions made by those who came before them. Radio DJs and television networks tend to keep their distance from these veterans, categorizing them as “old school.” Consequently, the works of these legends are often pushed into the forgotten corners of history. Our music icons endure neglect and poverty, living and passing away without the rightful recognition they deserve.
Contrary to popular belief, Fela Kuti, often solely credited with creating Afrobeat, began his musical journey by forming the Highlife Rakers in 1959. Before establishing the Kola Lobitos and later the Kuti Quintet, Fela Kuti was a band member for Victor Olaiya in 1957 and also learned from Bobby Benson. The narrative of Afrobeat’s origins becomes clearer by examining the timelines of Fela’s highlife beginnings compared to Bobby Benson, E.T. Mensah, Ray Stephen Oche, and other highlife legends.
Many documentarians discuss the creation of Afrobeat and credit Fela as its creator. However, the Nigerian Entertainment industry has undergone significant changes in the last six decades and has seen the emergence of tribal biases. There is a shortage of musicologists in Nigeria, and most entertainment writers are not musicians; they often write to promote their fellow tribe folks or artists who bribe them. The songs we hear on the radio and watch on television, domestically and internationally, do not truly represent the best of Nigeria.
In the early 90s, I had the opportunity to back up several Nigerian Highlife music artists during a Nigerian Television Authority-sponsored program. This experience allowed me to closely observe many Highlife and music legends who had started their careers before I was born. I sat down with many of them and asked questions to learn the proper rhythm that represents Nigerian music culture.
To declare Fela Kuti as the sole creator and king of Afrobeat would be disrespectful to the memory and legacy of those who paved the way before him. Fela Kuti’s music contained elements of Afro Jazz, distinguishing it from Afrobeat. AfroJazz and Afrobeat are distinct genres with different chord progressions and instrumental arrangements. Afrojazz typically features more percussion and instruments compared to Afrobeat, as well as a complex musical arrangement.
Afro-jazz is also differentiated from HighlifeHighlife in terms of melody and lyrics. Backup singers in Fela’s Afrojazz sang in unison, while choruses in Afrobeat were typically harmonized, following a similar style to Highlife music. Fela Kuti’s AfroJazz featured a simple two-chord progression, while Highlife typically incorporates third chords and, in some cases, more than four chords. The introduction to Afrojazz tends to be longer than that of Afrobeat, a topic I will delve into further.
Late Fela created AfroJazz, a fact Orlando Julius disputed in the 1990s upon returning to Nigeria from an extended stay in the United States. Orlando Julius claimed he had created AfroJazz, but his music lacked the various elements that define AfroJazz. He attempted to push this narrative and even challenged Fela to a public debate, but Fela never accepted the challenge.
In addition to Fela Kuti, Ray Stephen Oche, a musician from Benue State in Nigeria, West Africa, also played Afro Jazz. Known for his talents as a singer, drummer, flutist, and primarily a trumpet player, the late Ray Stephen Oche began touring internationally with his band before Fela Kuti. It is worth taking the time to listen to the songs of Ray Stephen Oche and Fela Kuti side by side.
Ray Stephen Oche’s album included elements of Highlife, Afro-Jazz, and percussion. Despite this, he has yet to receive the recognition he deserves from those who document the history of Nigerian music.
I have many friends who performed alongside the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti. If you were to ask them about the type of music the legendary figure played, they would undoubtedly tell you that he played Afro Jazz. Afrobeat is modern Highlife. What has changed is that today, with the evolution of digital recordings, one can make a song within minutes.
Watch out for part 2. If you disagree with me, please use the contact page to submit a rebuttal.
Agu ike ( better known as Allah-bama) is a Nigerian-American musician.