Teddy Nwanunobi, Abuja
“It is with incredibly heavy hearts that we have to announce that the great Nigerian business leader and mythic music pioneer, William Onyeabor, has passed away at the age of 70,” Luaka Bop, wrote on Facebook on Wednesday to announce the death of the enigmatic Nigerian synth-funk pioneer.
The label, which is behind the retrospective compilation, ‘Who Is William Onyeabor?’ on David Byrne’s Luaka Bop label in 2013, added that Onyeabor died peacefully in his sleep, following a brief illness at his home in Enugu, Nigeria.
The label futher described Onyeabor, whose groundbreaking ‘70s synth-funk albums achieved global acclaim, after being rediscovered and reissued in 2013, as “an extraordinary artist, businessman and visionary”.
Born on March 26, 1946, Onyeabor died on Monday, January 16, 2017.
He composed and self-released nine albums of groundbreaking synth-based funk between 1977 and 1985, which he recorded, pressed, and printed at his personal pressing plant, Wilfilms Limited, in South-East Nigeria.
In the 1980s, he abandoned music to focus on his business pursuits, and remained an enigmatic figure.
It took Luaka Bop five years to track him down, and persuade him to license his music for a reissue in 2013, and it became hugely successful.
Worldwide interests in his music exploded some three decades later, following the release of a compilation, ‘Who is William Onyeabor?’
In 2014, Onyeabor’s enigmatic streak was then captured in a film documentary, Fantastic Man, which came out the following year.
It delved into his story, and the Atomic Bomb followed.
Who is William Onyeabor? live shows saw special guests performing his music.
Onyeabor refused most interview requests about his music, and was committed to his religion, after becoming ‘born again’ later in life.
“It is with incredibly heavy hearts that we have to announce that the great Nigerian business leader and mythic music pioneer William Onyeabor has passed away at the age of 70. He died peacefully in his sleep following a brief illness, at his home in Enugu, Nigeria.
“An extraordinary artist, businessman and visionary, Mr. Onyeabor composed and self-released nine brilliant albums of groundbreaking electronic-funk from 1977-1985, which he recorded, pressed and printed at Wilfilms Limited — his personal pressing plant in southeast Nigeria.
“In the late 1980s, he was awarded West African Industrialist Of The Year and given the honorary title “Justice of the Peace.” In the early 1990s, he became the President of Enugu’s Musician’s Union and Chairman of the city’s local football team, The Enugu Rangers.
“For many in his hometown of Enugu, Nigeria, he was simply referred to as “The Chief” and known for having created many opportunities for the people in his community. With the release of Who is William Onyeabor? in 2013, his music and story took the world by storm.
“The release was featured in major newspapers, radio and television stations all around the world. Time Magazine listed him as number four on a shortlist of that year’s best albums.
“In 2014, the film documentary, Fantastic Man, followed, as well as the Atomic Bomb! Who Is William Onyeabor? live shows, which travelled to the most regarded festivals and music venues worldwide-starring over 50 special guests from many diverse generations, genres and backgrounds.
“Still, William Onyeabor would never speak about himself, and for a long time, (he) refused many of the interview requests that came his way. Having become Born Again in the latter part of life, he only wanted to speak about God.
“We would like to send our deepest condolences to his family and thank each and every one of you who has helped share the love for his music around the world,” Bop’s statement on Onyeabor’s Facebook wall read.
