The late Chris Mba was a brother, a dear friend, and a colleague. To millions of folks in Nigeria and around the world who celebrate our music, Chris Mba was one of the heroes of African Music; his hit song-“baby don’t Cry’ is among the template and road map of Afrobeat rhythm, currently making waves around the world.

In 2001, when I started the Musicians of the Niger at Onyeka Onwenu’s African Hall, Chris Mba and all the prominent Igbo musicians identified with the group. The idea of forming the Musician of the Niger came during a PMAN meeting when the sad news of Prince Nico Mbarga and Dr. Sir Warrior got to us. The same day, it was reported that Fela Anikulapo Kuti died. The entire meeting deliberated on how to honor Fela Anikulapo Kuti, who was not a member of PMAN. Nobody mentioned Prince Nico Mbarga or Dr. Sir Warrior, who were members of PMAN.
Chris Mba attended our meetings held at Hot Mortars, Mafuloku, faithfully. Unfortunately, the musicians of the Niger came under intense criticism and unnecessary scrutiny by some sections of the Nigerian media. They alleged that the formation of Musicians of the Niger was to undermine Sunny Alade, led PMAN. However, when Onyeka Onwenu and a few others grew cold feet towards the group, Chris Mba, who read my article of intention, told me not to give up. That was how I became very close to Chris Mba. Although I disbanded the group, the real issues that led to its formation lingered.
Painfully, I watch folks make documentaries about Nigerian music and exclude to mention those who made the industry what it is today. Instead, most entertainment writers write about those they call ‘the new generation artist.’ And those who sacrificed so much for the industry’s growth are not mentioned.
Chris Mba, who finally succumbed to the cold hands of death, has been down for so many years. He was a victim of a system that looks the other way when legends are down and out. Once a celebrated star, in the last 25 years, the grossly tribal-sided Nigerian system made it impossible for Chris Mba to live a good life as a veteran and legend.
Also, the fact that Chris Mba hails from the part of Nigeria where
folks only give a damn about the current musicians making waves; they are quick to label musicians who attain a certain age as old musicians. And if you tell them that other tribes in Nigeria still support their men and women who began playing music before some of us were born, they remain adamant and don’t care. Coming from a background where folks define you and tell you when to stop doing what you enjoy doing most made many musicians across Niger die in poverty.
It saddens me that Chris Mba is no more, but I know he is in a better place. Today, you have the JUBAL, the Juju Musicians Association, and FUMAN, the Fuji Musicians Association. Our brothers and sisters have no group. We have lost many brothers, sisters, and dear colleagues, across The Niger along the way without many of us knowing they passed on. In most cases, the once-shining stars die quietly, unnoticed, and unrecognized by our society.

Rest in Peace, Chris Mba, the Jerry Curls bobo, veteran, and legend who reigned supremely in the ’80s.

Mazi Ike Agu (Maziyke, is a Nigerian-American musician, singer, songwriter, and producer based in New York City.

American rapper, singer, and songwriter Rayshawn Lamar Bennett, professionally known as YFN Lucci is presently wanted by the Atlanta police department for allegedly shooting a man to death.

Lucci has been slapped with multiple charges including possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, participation in criminal street gang activity, aggravated assault, and felony murder.

The 29year old rapper is suspected of being involved in a shooting incident in southwest Atlanta last month, which left one man dead from a gunshot wound to the head and another man injured.

Atlanta PD is offering up to $5,000 for info leading to his arrest and conviction as the rapper is still on the run.

Among the several evolutions taking place in the Nigerian entertainment industry, the music sector has passed through many eras.
The 80s and 90s were filled with lyrically inclined songs, no matter the genre. Artists were known for their heavy lyrics, which appealed to people at that time.

Y2k birthed a new era of “very” commercial music; an era, musicians took little effort in writing as much as a themed verse.
A musician only needed to be intoxicated and equipped with the latest sound effects and a groovy beat to the awe of music lovers.
Some artists from the 90s adjusted to this trend thereby creating and expanding their fan base.

Then a pandemic happened; rebuilding tolerance amongst impatient music lovers who now had ample time to accommodate verbose lyrics due to idleness caused by the “stay at home” order in 2020.
New artists like Fireboy DML, Joeboy, and Omah Lay immediately set the pace with their lyrically verbose tunes, for old artists who wanted to remain relevant.
Presently a song without meaningful lyrics won’t be a hit.

Since 2011, Ayo Balogun aka Wizkid hasn’t fallen short of hits with great collaborations.
His latest collaboration was with the African Giant crooner, Burna boy in a song called Ginger featured in his latest album Made in Lagos.

The spanking new video released yesterday the 8th of January, 2021, depicted a lavish lifestyle, packed with an onslaught of video vixens, with the star attraction of a local game of “Ayo” played with diamonds for stones.
Both Wizkid and Burna Boy have been in comparison along with Davido by fans as they had one action in common lately; the release of a new album.

The last quarter of 2020 saw the release of Made In Lagos music album by Wizkid, Twice as Tall album by Burna Boy, and A Better Time album by Davido putting the trio at the forefront in the competition to be the best in the Nigerian music industry.