Google celebrates Oliver de Coque posthumous birthday

Google honors and celebrates popular Nigerian guitarist and high life musician today Oliver de Coque posthumous birthday as he turns 74 today

A Google Doodle is defined as a unique alteration of the logo on Google’s homepage used to commemorate events, achievements and notable historical figures

Today on April 14, 2021, the legendary Nigerian artist, Oliver De Coque was honoured for his contributions to the Nigerian music industry using a Google doodle.A Google Doodle is defined as a unique alteration of the logo on Google’s homepage used to commemorate events, achievements and notable historical figures

The doodle came into light on Wednesday as an honour of late De Coque‘s immense contribution to thegrowth of Nigerian music industry. The doodle, created by a Nigerian graphic artist and illustrator Ohab Tochukwu Bernard Johnbosco called TBJ .The popular Nigerian Guitarist and prolific artists , De Coq would have been 74 today, April 14, 2021.

Oliver de coque was born Oliver Sunday Akanite on April 14, 1947.

In 1977, he released many albums including his debut album Messiah Messiah and  reports have claimed that he released over 70 bodies of work. He is also regarded as a descendant of Ogene, the far-fetchedversion of Highlife.

Oliver de coque married four wives and is survived by twelve children.

De Coque is one of upholders and innovators of contemporary Igbo mainstream music.

De Coque, in the small town of Ezinifite in southeastern Nigeria, began playing the guitar at the age of 11.

He is best known for inculcating contemporary West African highlife with a Congolese-influenced guitar sound and the dance elements of Igbo music he grew up with, resulting in Ogene, his popular music style.

Some of his popular hits include “People’s Club of Nigeria,” “nempi social club,” “Biri Ka Mbiri,” “Ana Enwe,” “Nnukwu Mmanwu,” and “Identity,” which stayed on Radio Nigeriafor the majority of 1981.

His music became popular here in Africa and abroad since his first solo release in 1976, as he released  album featuring his masterful guitar work and fresh take on African pop.

Oliver De Coque was awarded an honorary doctorate of music by the University of New Orleans in 1994 in recognition of his prodigious musical achievement.

1. Oliver de Coque died at the ripe age of 61 on June 20, 2008.