Personality Profile: Prince Nico Mbarga the man behind the hit song “Sweet Mother"


Nico Mbarga (1 January 1950 – 24 June 1997),
better known as Prince Nico Mbarga, was a highlife musician, born to a Nigerian mother and a Cameroonian father in Abakaliki, Nigeria. He is renowned for his hit song "Sweet Mother", recorded with his band Rocafil Jazz.

Music
He played the xylophone, conga, drums, and electric guitar in school bands and he made his professional debut as a member of a hotel band, the Melody Orchestra, in 1970.

Early years
Although he only recorded one significant hit, "Sweet Mother," in 1976, which sold more than 13 million copies (and which is recognised as one of Africa's greatest songs), Mbarga played an important role in the evolution of African popular music. With his soulful vocals set to the light melodies of his acoustic guitar, Mbarga created a unique hybrid of Igbo and Congolese guitar playing and uplifting highlife rhythms. He formed his own group, Rocafil Jazz, to perform regularly at the Plaza Hotel in the eastern Nigerian city of Onitsha.
After releasing a disappointing single in 1973, Mbarga and Rocafil Jazz had their first success with their second single, I No Go Marry My Papa, which became a regional hit. The band's inability to break past their local following resulted in their recording contract being dropped by EMI, a decision that proved ill-fortuned when the band signed with Rogers All Stars, a Nigerian recording company based in Onitsha, and recorded "Sweet Mother".

Sung in Pidgin English, "Sweet Mother" became one of the top sellers in the history of Nigerian music. In the six years that Mbarga and Rocafil Jazz remained with Rogers All Stars, 1975 to 1981, they recorded nine albums.

Later years
On a repeat tour to England in 1982, Mbarga became known for his flamboyant, 1970s glam rock-inspired performances. While he continued to appear with Rocafil Jazz, Mbarga also performed with London-based highlife band the Ivory Coasters and former Rocafil Jazz member, Cameroonian vocalist Louisiana Tilda. Despite launching his own Polydor-distributed record label, upon returning to Nigeria, Mbarga and the original members of Rocafil Jazz separated after some disagreements. Although he later formed the New Rocafil Jazz Band, Mbarga failed to match his early success. Leaving music, he turned his attention to managing the 4-star hotel that he owned, the Sweet Mother Hotel, located in the town of Ikom just minutes away from the Cameroon-Nigeria border.

Death
Prince Nico Mbarga was killed in a motorcycle accident on June 24, 1997, leaving behind "Sweet Mother" as the most popular song amongst Nigerians. Sweet Mother is sometimes called Africa's anthem and has been voted Africa's favourite song by BBC readers and listeners.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_Nico_Mbarga

Wooooooa.......


I love this song.....

* Legendary Musician.....

listen to the sung here

audio: https://www.bellanaija.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Prince-Nico-Mbarga-Sweet-Mother-BellaNaija-May-2015.mp3]
Download

SANDOSKI:
Wooooooa.......


I love this song.....

* Legendary Musician.....

yes especially if you love your mum

You see that shoe we call it AKPOLA. This info is good for the indomie generation

He died the yr i was born a legend gone, a legend born

SANDOSKI:
Wooooooa.......

I love this song.....
* Legendary Musician.....

i love the track too, It's been a while i heard the track on the radio though,
Make i go find am download now sef

hungryboy:
i love the track too,
It's been a while i heard the track on the radio though,

Make i go find am download now sef

Abi.... Make I follow you download am oooo

a mother should be celebrated daily not just on mothers day

robosky02:


yes especially if you love your mum

Yeah. You are right about that...

Ok

Ok

Lol

See hin shirt and shoes

E don tey wey people don dey dress like modern day gays
Denrele is a learner.

---

Lesson: Today's fashion is tomorrow's rag (firstolalekan_ 2016)

Z he Danrele's fada?

He also left a legacy for denrele

Evergreen song

Sweet mother I no go forget you.





RIP Mom.

lilzcee:
He died the yr i was born a legend gone, a legend born

wooow u are so old and mature

Oh men check out that shoe

robosky02:


listen to the sung here

audio: https://www.bellanaija.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Prince-Nico-Mbarga-Sweet-Mother-BellaNaija-May-2015.mp3]
Download

was he married? How many children does he have?

When writing a profile of someone these points are important too.

That song is a real classic!

That shoe tho......anytime I have an opportunity to listen to this song, there is a lil drop of tear from my eye......All that I am and all that I hope to be I oew it to my Momma

lilzcee:
He died the yr i was born a legend gone, a legend born

Indomitable pikin

Legend!One of the greatest songs from Africa

Denrele role model.... Great man

So na this man danrere learn from?

My mum best song

lilzcee:
He died the yr i was born a legend gone, a legend born

I was right.

Na small children full this Nairaland.
Indomie generation.

KissCODE:
was he married? How many children does he have?

When writing a profile of someone these points are important too.

most Nigerian writers don't av time diggin deep. We manage wat we see.

I was born in the 80's and that's the last sane generation!

lol....now I kno where denrele got this is craziness for women fashion...