The Funkees were among Nigeria’s leading Afro-funk innovators, blending highlife, funk, rock, and Afrobeat into a distinctive sound that resonated across Africa and the diaspora. Formed in the late 1960s, their story reflects both Nigeria’s post-civil war cultural rebirth and the wider global appetite for Afro-inspired music in the 1970s.
Origins and Formation (Late 1960s – Early 1970s)
Emerging in the aftermath of the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970), The Funkees began as an army band created to entertain soldiers and communities recovering from conflict. Over time, they shed their military function and became a creative force, experimenting with funk, psychedelic rock, highlife, and the Afrobeat movement led by contemporaries such as Fela Kuti.
The founding members included Harry Mosco Agada (vocals/guitar), Chyke Madu (drums), and Jake Sollo (guitar). Deeply influenced by African rhythms and Western acts like James Brown, Jimi Hendrix, and Santana, they forged a new sound that embodied post-war Nigeria’s experimental spirit.
Breakthrough and Early Success (1973–1975)
The Funkees built a reputation through electrifying live shows in cultural hubs such as Enugu and Aba. Their bilingual performances—switching between English and Igbo—gave them mass appeal across regional and social divides.
In 1974, they released their debut album, Point of No Return. With its groovy bass lines, sharp guitar riffs, and tight percussion, the album established The Funkees as bold Afro-funk innovators. Its mix of infectious rhythms and social commentary made it a landmark in Nigeria’s 1970s music scene.
Peak Years and Relocation to the UK (1976–1978)
Their second album, Now I’m a Man (1976), marked the band’s peak in Nigeria. With more polished production, it solidified their status among the top Afro-funk groups of the decade.
That same year, the band relocated to London, joining a wave of African acts—including Osibisa and Fela Kuti—who sought to connect African sounds with Western audiences. In the UK, The Funkees became a staple of the West African and Caribbean diaspora scenes, performing in clubs, festivals, and community gatherings. While they gained recognition within these circles, they never broke into the British mainstream charts like Osibisa, underscoring both the opportunities and limitations facing African musicians abroad.
Decline and Breakup (Late 1970s – Early 1980s)
Internal disagreements over direction, management, and finances began to fracture the band by the late 1970s. Members pursued separate paths:
Harry Mosco Agada launched a successful solo career with albums like Country Boy (1978) and Peace & Harmony (1979), leaning into disco and pop.
Jake Sollo became a respected guitarist and producer until his tragic death in a 1985 car accident.
By the early 1980s, The Funkees had effectively disbanded.
Musical Style and Legacy
The Funkees’ sound fused diverse elements into a uniquely Nigerian groove:
Afro-funk foundations – heavy bass lines meshed with African rhythmic complexity.
Psychedelic and rock guitars – reflecting Hendrix-inspired experimentation.
Highlife roots – grounding their music in pre-war Nigerian popular styles.
Bilingual lyrics – in English and Igbo, touching on love, resilience, and social themes.
Though their career was relatively short, their records became cult classics, later reissued to global acclaim.
Today, The Funkees are celebrated alongside BLO, Monomono, and Ofege as part of Nigeria’s 1970s experimental wave that bridged local traditions with international funk and rock.
Their music continues to inspire modern Afrobeat and Afrofunk revivalists, reaffirming their place in the lineage of African innovation.
From their post-war army-band origins to their London years, The Funkees embodied the turbulence and creativity of 1970s Nigeria. They may not have reached the global commercial heights of Osibisa or Fela Kuti, but their bold sound carved out a lasting legacy. With landmark albums like Point of No Return and Now I’m a Man, The Funkees remain one of the great innovators who helped shape how Afro-funk is remembered today—vital, experimental, and timeless.
Left to right: Jake Solo, Emma Lawson, Pat Finn, Jeff Afam and Jerry Jiagbogu
The Federal Road Safety Corps, on Friday, urged motorists who are participating in the fasting periods, to ensure that they take rest at intervals, to avoid road crashes.
The FRSC Commander in-charge of the Sagamu-Ore-Benin Expressway corridor, Mr Nasir Mohammed, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Ota.
He noted that the advice had become expedient following the commencement of fasting periods by both Christian and Muslim faithfuls.
NAN reports that Catholic faithfuls had commenced lenten season with the distribution of Ash on Wednesday, which period is marked by 40 days fasting.
In the same vein, Muslim faithfuls had also began observation of Ramadan in the Islamic calendar, which period is also marked by fasting.
Mohammed urged motorists to be cautious of fatigue and possible dehydration during the fasting periods, and ensure that they take hours of rest before returning to the steering.
He also warned motorists against over speeding and wrongful overtaking, which could lead to tragedy, adding that drivers must strictly adhere to all safety rules while on the road.
“We are appealing to motorists, especially Muslims and Christians who are fasting, to always observe the rest after every four hours of driving, to prevent avoidable loss of lives.
“Also, all motorists are enjoined to drive to stay alive; Wishing all safer roads and fuller life.” he said.
Ogun State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Adijat Adeleye has disclosed that the Nigerian Tiktoker, simply identified as Mirable, has been admitted to a State-owned health facility, and is currently receiving comprehensive medical attention.
Adeleye added that an investigation had begun and the survivor is presently receiving psychosocial support, and is responding positively to medical treatment.
The commissioner stated this on Thursday night shortly after visiting the survivor at the health facility, in the company of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, and the Medical Director of the facility.
According to her, the visit was aimed at assessing the survivor’s condition and ensuring that appropriate medical and welfare interventions were promptly administered.
The Commissioner praised the personnel at the State-owned medical facility and the State Ministry of Justice for their quick response, as well as the Nigeria Police Force and Ogun State Police Command for their rapid and timely action as soon as the case was transferred to the State.
“This structured approach is intended to protect the survivor’s welfare while guaranteeing that investigations are conducted professionally, thoroughly, and strictly on the basis of verifiable evidence”, Adeleye said.
She added that detailed examinations and all required clinical procedures are being carried out in line with established standards for managing cases of alleged sexual assault, while the security agency is carrying out their investigation simultaneously.
“The welfare, dignity, and safety of every survivor remains our utmost priority. The Prince Dapo Abiodun led- administration maintains a zero-tolerance stance on sexual and gender-based violence, stressing that “while we stand firmly with survivors, we are equally guided by due process.
“Investigations must be evidence-based, transparent, and fair to all parties involved, even as whosoever is found wanting would be made to face the full wrath of the law,” she said.
She urged residents to steer clear of speculative narratives or sensational commentary that could compromise due process while assuring them that the State Government would get to the bottom of the issue to ascertain the veracity of the claim.
Meanwhile, she assured members of the public that further updates would be communicated at the appropriate time as credible findings emerge from ongoing investigations.
Nigerian TikToker, known simply as Mirabel has finally opened up on the allegation of rape she earlier raised in a viral video.
It was recalls that the content creator, with the username @mirab351 had, alleged that she was sexually assaulted by an unknown man at her residence in Ogun State.
She claimed that the alleged rapist inflicted an injury on her privates with a blade.
Her story generated reactions across social media, causing the Nigeria Police to swing into action.
Some netizens, however, expressed scepticism on the factuality of the allegation, stating that the stories were not adding up.
But the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said on Thursday that the command was investigating the matter.
However, Mirabel, who opened up to Popular social media activist, Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, VDM said she had been into drugs and could be hallucinating.
