Nigerian highlife legend Chief Prince Morocco Maduka dies

Maduka’s death was confirmed by the Anambra State Chapter of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN). It came just a few months after he celebrated his 60th anniversary as a musician.

“With a heavy heart of sorrow, we, the entire Anambra State PMAN, announce the exit of a music legend, Dr Prince Morocco Maduka," Anambra State PMAN chairperson Ikem Mazeli said. "He passed on this afternoon, Thursday 29 October 2020. All other arrangements as regards his burial will be communicated to all of us later.”

Widely regarded as the oldest performing musician in Eastern Nigeria, the Igbo highlife musician launched his music career at the age of 12. He is credited with more than 120 albums, and released his debut offering Aya Nigeria (Nigerian War) in 1971. The singer has since produced many hit songs, including ‘Money Palaver’, ‘Ojemba Enwe Ilo’, ‘Echi Di Ime’, ‘Amara Onye Bu Onye’, ‘Enenebe Ejeolu’, ‘Akalaka’ and ‘Igbo Star’, among others.

Maduka was also considered a historical innovator of the Igbo folk sound of ekpili and lauded for his unique introduction of modern instruments like the guitar and keyboard. Throughout his career, he mentored several artists and toured extensively, accruing fanbases globally, including the US, the UK, China, South Africa and Malaysia.

Celestine Ukwu, Rex Lawson, Roy Chicago and Victor Olaiya are cited among his musical influences. In February, reflecting on his music journey to Nigerian newspaper The Sun, Maduka recounted the challenges he encountered in convincing his father about his decision to pursue music as a career.

“I cannot blame my dad because, in those days, musicians were nothing to write home about. Hooliganism was their way of life,” he said. “I mean, majority of them spent their life with harlots. But I swore that my life would not be like that if I eventually became a musician.

“I promised my father the same thing when he later granted me permission to become a musician. Today, my secret pain is that my father didn’t live long to see how successful I have become as a musician. He never lived long to see my music career booming and see me making good money from it.”