Hello everyone! Today’s Throwback would be when music held meaningful content in Nigeria. A lot of artist in the 80s and 90s achieved this feat but our pick for today is the dancer of life- Mike Okri.
Mike is one artist I really loved in my childhood days. His ‘dodo ati rice’ track never failed to tickle my mumu button. I was mostly placated by my dad with this song. Mike was undoubtedly one of the hottest musicians that bestrode the musical turf since his debut LP ‘Concert Fever’ in 1988. At the peak of his career, he was also one of the highest paid acts in the land.
In the mid-90s the music world in Nigeria began to go through a significant transitioning and Mike Okri was one of the musicians whose musical fortune changed. As a result of this, he decided to relocate to the United States of America. Which is what most artists did at the time.
Mike didn’t bath in gold when he got to America as opposed to what many people thought, rumours soon began to circulate as to the real nature of business the Urhobo born musician was into. While some said he was a janitor at some super market, others claimed he was doing odd jobs to survive.
The legend however responded to the speculations, speaking on the reason he moved to the States from his California base, the singer said “It’s hard to say in one single word why I left but in my own words, I’m here in the States because God wanted me to [be]. Nigeria is strongly on my mind and I will be home soon but I’m preparing to do it right so others could benefit immensely. I’m overwhelmed with shows here, including book & music projects, not to mention school (he refused to comment further on his school details). [I have] been a busy bee and I thank God for that.” He also had a few words for fans who have been eagerly awaiting something new. “I will be releasing my comeback album soon, which will be a gospel one, while the next one will be inspirational. That is going to be my new style of keeping my fans around the globe busy when the time comes.”
But by the 2000s, Mike made a surprise appearance in a musical video alongside Sauce Kid. The legend has also been respected by younger folks who perform some of his songs on large music platforms e.g MTN Project Fame West Africa.
Download songs by Mike Okri here
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DOWNLOAD: MIKE OKRI – Time Na Money