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Top 15 Trailblazing Guitarists of all Time in Nigeria

Top 15 Trailblazing Guitarists of all Time in Nigeria – The guitar has become an integral part of music in Nigeria over the past several decades. From highlife and afrobeat to juju and fuji, the unmistakable sounds of the guitar have shaped and defined genres that are now recognized as quintessentially Nigerian. In this article, we will take a look at 15 trailblazing guitarists who have made an indelible impact on Nigerian music. These artists have dazzled audiences with their skills and creativity, taking the guitar into new and innovative directions. Their playing has influenced generations of musicians and helped establish the guitar as one of the leading instruments in Nigerian popular music.Top 15 Trailblazing Guitarists of all Time in Nigeria

The top 15 Trailblazing Guitarists of all Time in Nigeria Are:

1. Fela Kuti

No list of great Nigerian guitarists would be complete without the legendary Fela Kuti. As the pioneer of afrobeat, Fela revolutionized African music in the 1970s by fusing jazz, funk, and traditional Yoruban rhythms. His bands Africa ’70 and Egypt ’80 featured phenomenally talented guitarists over the years, including Badmos Babajide, Oyinade Adeniran, Tutu Soroye, and Dele Sosimi. Fela’s guitarists cooked up sizzling afrobeat grooves, demonstrating tremendous rhythmic and improvisational skills. Their interlocked guitar lines were a key element of the polyrhythmic afrobeat style. Fela’s trailblazing music helped bring African genres like highlife and juju to international prominence.


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2. King Sunny Ade

Synonymous with the juju music scene of western Nigeria, King Sunny Ade is revered as one of the most influential guitarists and performers Nigeria has produced. Since the 1970s, his trademark fretwork and expressive solos have defined the juju sound. His mastery of phrasing, timing and syncopation resulted in a guitar style that was melodically rich and rhythmically complex. King Sunny Ade modernized traditional juju by incorporating Western instruments like the guitar and pedal steel into the mix. An innovator on the guitar, he contributed embellishments like the “sliding” technique which increases expressiveness. With over 50 albums to his credit, King Sunny Ade remains an inspiration for guitarists in Nigeria and abroad.

3. Sir Victor Uwaifo

The “Guitar Boy” Sir Victor Uwaifo was one of the first Nigerian musicians to achieve international fame. A multi-instrumentalist gifted with uncanny skill on the guitar, Uwaifo charted a trailblazing course in highlife, juju and folk-inspired sounds during his long career. With an immediately recognizable tone and phrasing, he recorded numerous hits including “Joromi” and “Guitar Boy”. Uwaifo expanded the sonic palette of the guitar in Nigerian music, weaving traditional melodies with techniques like picking, sliding and tremolo. His display of guitar virtuosity demonstrated the instrument’s versatility and potential as a lead voice. Several generations of upcoming guitarists continue to be awed by Uwaifo’s pioneering style.

4. Berkley Ike Jones

Known as the funkiest Nigerian guitarist of all time, Berkley Ike Jones blazed a trail in the 1970s funk and soul scene. As a member of the iconic rock band BLO, Jones served up sizzling funk rhythm guitar while also proving he could trade red-hot solos with the best lead guitarists. His aggressive, syncopated style – replete with choke notes, unpredictable muted picking, and complex riffing – is credited with putting Nigerian guitarists on the map. Jones drew inspiration from legends like Jimi Hendrix and Ghanaian great Emmanuel Tetteh Mensah, fusing their techniques with a distinctly Nigerian funk sensibility. Thanks to Jones, the guitar gained respect as a lead instrument across genres, paving the way for other Nigerian masters.

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5. Laolu Akins

A versatile guitarist and singer, Laolu Akins was a lynchpin of Fela Kuti’s bands during the 1970s. His rock-solid rhythm playing provided the backbone for innumerable afrobeat classics, locking in tight grooves with drummer Tony Allen. On cuts like “Water Get No Enemy,” Akins also demonstrated a songlike lead guitar sensibility reminiscent of Ghanaian highlife. Akins eventually brought this melodic approach to his own group, the Western State Band. With feet in both traditional African and Western pop music, he proved the guitar could serve both rhythmic and lyrical functions. His open-tuned and fingerstyle techniques on acoustic guitar were also innovative. Laolu Akins showed how the guitar could fuse musical worlds while creating something entirely new.

6. Femi Kuti

As the eldest son of Fela Kuti, Femi had monumental shoes to fill when he founded his own afrobeat group Positive Force in the late 80s. Yet he emerged as a highly original guitarist/bandleader in his own right. His playing reveals a mastery of rhythmic precision coupled with adventurous improvisational inclinations. Drawing deeply from jazz and funk, he alternates between scratchy off-beat chanking and blazing melodic runs. Femi’s uniqueness stems from his ability to constantly generate new phrases and patterns. He avoids settling into repetitive grooves. Positive Force’s guitar section, anchored by Femi, builds upon Fela’s legacy by incorporating rock overdrive and American blues/R&B licks into their sound. Thanks to Femi and others, afrobeat guitar continues evolving in exciting ways.NYSC Portal

7. Sonny Okosuns

From the highlife hotbeds of Benin City came the guitar supernova Sonny Okosuns. Making his name with the reggae-tinged Ozziddi in the 70s, Okosuns soon went solo and developed a trademark blues-influenced guitar sound. He carved a unique niche with gospel-inspired lyrics promoting African freedom set to an irresistible combination of reggae, highlife, and rock guitar. Sonny Okosuns perfected an instantly recognizable tone – clean, warm, and full of authority – through expert use of octaves and chord voicings. His solos were technical yet soulful, exploring melodies fully while avoiding excessive notes. As exemplified by classics like “Fire in Soweto” and “Papa’s Land”, Okosuns harnessed the full power of the guitar to express his revolutionary social messages.

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8. Bola Abimbola

A contemporary of King Sunny Ade, Bola Abimbola took juju guitar to new heights with speed, precision and complexity. His genius lay in staying faithful to the melodic traditions of Yoruba praise music while integrating jazz and Western influences. Abimbola brought a bop sensibility to his phrasing while maintaining a deep rhythmic groove. His rapid single-line solos exhibit near-flawless articulation and sense of time. Equally comfortable supporting vocalists or taking the lead, Abimbola helped juju guitar achieve new levels of sophistication. His grand elevations of traditional motifs set a benchmark for future guitarists. Along with King Sunny Ade, Abimbola ensured the guitar would be central to juju’s ongoing evolution and popularity.

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9. Emma Ogosi

Best known as bandleader/guitarist for the Nigerian reggae band The Mandators, Emma Ogosi pioneered an indigenous reggae sound in the 1970s West African nation. His talent lay in blending the feel of Jamaican reggae (captured perfectly in his rhythm chops) with African folk melodies and Brazilian samba. Ogosi’s sophisticated solos and riffs exhibit his classical training and dedication to tonal purity. He often played acoustic guitar in open tunings with techniques like tapping, contributing to The Mandator’s gentle yet complex sound. Thanks to Ogosi, reggae became firmly entrenched in Nigeria as locally-flavored variant enriched by African and South American elements. His original mixture created a reggae guitar template others could build upon.JAMB portal

10. Joni Haastrup

Famed for her work with afro-funk group Monomono in the 1970s, Joni Haastrup was a rarity as a female guitarist in Nigerian pop. Her skillful rhythm playing closely interlocked with drummer Akeem “Afrodisia” Odukogbe to create a hard-driving groove. On acoustic guitar, Haastrup delivered intricate counter-melodies influenced by West Africanthumb piano patterns. Her guitar lines often featured tricky chromatic movements, revealing a sophisticated harmonic language. Haastrup’s forward-looking original songs like “Tire Loma Da Nigbehin” also displayed her compositional flair. When she takes an occasional solo like on “Come Back”, her crisp, clear tone and advanced melodic conception are on full display. Joni Haastrup proved women guitarists could shine in Nigerian bands largely dominated by men.Good morning My Love Message

11. Adeolu Akisanya

Widely admired as one of the most technically dazzling Nigerian guitarists, Adeolu Akisanya is a wizard of jazz fusion. He first came to prominence in Lagos as part of the group T-Fire. Akisanya’s lightning fast single-note lines show his deep study of American jazz greats like Wes Montgomery and George Benson. Equally comfortable scorching through bebop changes as he is layering folksy melodies, Akisanya treats the guitar like a full orchestra. His advanced chord voicings and use of harmonics reveal classical training that he combines with African rhythmic sensibilities. For any young guitarist looking to unlock the guitar’s full potential, Akisanya’s outstanding technique and versatility represent the pinnacle of contemporary Nigerian jazz guitar.Information guide Nigeria

12. Eric Akaeze

A veteran presence on Lagos’ diverse music scene, Eric Akaeze is celebrated for his soulful feel and emotive power. While well-versed in jazz improv and melodic sensibility, Akaeze channels deep blues and gospel influences in his vocal and guitar work. His hearty, vibrato-laden tone and passion-filled phrases evoke timeless black music traditions. As comfortable finger-picking an acoustic blues as he is wailing on an overdriven Stratocaster, Akaeze employs contrasting textures to keep things compelling. His funk-inspired rhythm work is concise and perfectly placed. Overall, Akaeze’s commitment to conveying emotion gives his playing authenticity that transcends genres. He represents a more roots-based approach that complements the flashy fusion sound.

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13. Jake Sollo

Recognized as Nigeria’s acoustic guitar guru, Jake Sollo’s fingerstyle approach spans folk, pop, and classical influences. His advanced two-handed tapping technique allows incredibly complex independent movement of melody and accompaniment lines. Drawing deeply from traditional African melodies, Sollo has elevated the steel-string acoustic guitar into a new dimension as a lead instrument. His floating, harp-like chords and hypnotic rhythmic figures make his solo guitar sound like an ensemble. Sollo can also electrify audiences on electric when playing with his band. With over a dozen acclaimed albums showcasing his virtuosity, Jake Sollo rightfully inherits the mantle of Nigeria’s greatest contemporary acoustic guitarist.Romantic love message

14. Orits Wiliki

The longtime guitarist and bandleader of Afro-rock group the Aliens, Orits Wiliki pioneered an early West African version of the genre. Greatly inspired by Nigerian music legend Fela Kuti, Wiliki blended Fela’s afrobeat template with heavy rock instrumentation. While paying homage to afrobeat’s hypnotic grooves, Wiliki incorporates elements of funk, reggae, and even disco into his guitar work. He often emphasizes offbeats while maintaining a chunky rhythmic feel. And while he can rip fiery solos, Wiliki also possesses a compositional flair. Songs like the Aliens’ smash “American Dream” feature his melodic riffs and propulsive rhythm guitar. Orbits Wiliki’s fusion of styles helped awaken Nigerian youth to the potentials of rock.

15. Francis Omisande

Classically trained at Nigeria’s Institute of Management Technology, Francis Omisande is a wizard of the fingerstyle acoustic guitar. Drawing inspiration from masters like Spanish great Andres Segovia, Omisande utilizes advanced techniques like independent threading of melodies across multiple strings. His steel string guitar often sounds like an Africanized harp in the way he effortlessly harps cascading counter-melodies against a bass line. Omisande’s catalog of instrumental albums showcase both his melodic gifts and rhythmic sophistication. With his incorporation of African folk motifs and 6/8 time signatures, Omisande has elevated the acoustic guitar into a new frontier for Nigerian instrumentalists. His composite style brilliantly marries technique to tradition.

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Conclusion

From highlife originators to new school innovators, Nigeria boasts a continuous line of trailblazing guitar talents. The artists featured in this article represent the tip of the iceberg. As the guitar continues to hold prominence among contemporary Nigerian musicians, a new wave of game-changing guitarists is sure to emerge. The creative spirit runs high among Nigerian artists. There are undoubtedly more visionary guitarists ready to take the instrument into uncharted territory by fusing global influences with local perspectives. Already Nigerian guitarists have made an indelible impact by spearheading new genres and revolutionizing traditional forms. Listeners worldwide have much to gain by exploring Nigerian guitar music in all its richness and variety.

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