Oliver De Coque’s 74th Birthday

Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Lagos-based guest artist Ohab TBJ, pays tribute to Nigerian musician Oliver de Coque on his 74th birthday. Crowned the “Highlife King of Africa,” he is widely revered as one of the continent's most prolific recording artists.

Born on this day in 1947 in the small town of Ezinifite in southeastern Nigeria, Oliver Sunday Akanite first took up the guitar at a young age, and as a teenager, studied the traditional Igbo music of the region and Congolese soukous. In 1970, at a performance by the popular Sunny Agaga and his Lucky Star Band, Akanite convinced Sunny to let him stand in as their guitarist; he was hired on the spot, providing a massive boost to his young career. Also a skilled player of the Nigerian board game okwe, Akanite became known as “Oliver de ka Okwe,” which he later adapted into his stage name, Oliver de Coque. 

De Coque famously infused the modern West African highlife genre with a Congolese-influenced guitar style and the energetic dance elements of Igbo music he grew up with, crafting a unique musical style, which he called Ogene. Beginning with his first solo release in 1976, de Coque’s music only grew in popularity at home and abroad, as he put out album after album featuring his masterful guitar work and fresh take on African pop–over 70 throughout his lifetime.

In 1994, in recognition of his prodigious music achievement, de Coque was awarded an honorary doctorate in music by the University of New Orleans. 

Thank you, Oliver de Coque, for strumming your way into the hearts of listeners around the world!

Guest Artist Q&A with Ohab Tochukwu

Today’s Doodle was illustrated by Lagos-based guest artist Ohab TBJ. Below, he shares his thoughts behind the making of this Doodle:

Q: Why was this topic meaningful to you personally? 

A: Oliver De Coque was a popular musician from the Igbo part of Nigeria. As a kid back in the early 90's, I remember my late dad playing his songs, but back then I didn’t understand the lyrics nor the message they carried. But I never forgot watching my uncles and aunties dance to his music, and their happiness was contagious. 

Q: Did you draw inspiration from anything in particular for this Doodle? 

A: Although I've always been familiar with Oliver De Coque's music, I did more research to try to understand the late artist more. I noticed in particular Oliver De Coque's love for the guitar, his energy while performing, his unique style of music, as well as his love for his tradition and culture - all of which inspired the Doodle art.

Q: What message do you hope people take away from your Doodle?

A: I believe that Oliver De Coque paved the way for so many African artists of this generation. I also believe that there's much more to the late high-life artist than we know, and that history hasn't done enough to honor his memory. My hope is that this Doodle can highlight his story.
 

Early concepts and sketches of the Doodle