Legendary Highlife icon, Mike Ejeagha has passed away at the age of 95. He died on Friday around 8 p.m. at the 32 Garrison Hospital in Enugu after a prolonged illness.
Ejeagha, celebrated for blending Igbo folklore and proverbs into timeless music, was a prominent figure on Nigerian radio in the 1980s, captivating audiences across generations with his distinctive style.
Ejeagha began his music career in the mid-20th century and 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.
Aside from being a great guitarist, Ejeagha is described as a distinct storyteller known for his ability to tell popular Igbo stories and folklore using his music.
He has contributed over three hundred recordings to the National Archives of Nigeria produced during his fieldwork to investigate Igbo folklore highlife music.