Mazi Ike Agu, writes
The late Chris Mba was a brother, a dear friend, and a colleague. To millions of folks in Nigeria and around the world who celebrate our music, Chris Mba was one of the heroes of African Music; his hit song-“baby don’t Cry’ is among the template and road map of Afrobeat rhythm, currently making waves around the world.
In 2001, when I started the Musicians of the Niger at Onyeka Onwenu’s African Hall, Chris Mba and all the prominent Igbo musicians identified with the group. The idea of forming the Musician of the Niger came during a PMAN meeting when the sad news of Prince Nico Mbarga and Dr. Sir Warrior got to us. The same day, it was reported that Fela Anikulapo Kuti died. The entire meeting deliberated on how to honor Fela Anikulapo Kuti, who was not a member of PMAN. Nobody mentioned Prince Nico Mbarga or Dr. Sir Warrior, who were members of PMAN.
Chris Mba attended our meetings held at Hot Mortars, Mafuloku, faithfully. Unfortunately, the musicians of the Niger came under intense criticism and unnecessary scrutiny by some sections of the Nigerian media. They alleged that the formation of Musicians of the Niger was to undermine Sunny Alade, led PMAN. However, when Onyeka Onwenu and a few others grew cold feet towards the group, Chris Mba, who read my article of intention, told me not to give up. That was how I became very close to Chris Mba. Although I disbanded the group, the real issues that led to its formation lingered.
Chris Mba: A tribute from Aba
Painfully, I watch folks make documentaries about Nigerian music and exclude to mention those who made the industry what it is today. Instead, most entertainment writers write about those they call ‘the new generation artist.’ And those who sacrificed so much for the industry’s growth are not mentioned.
Chris Mba, who finally succumbed to the cold hands of death, has been down for so many years. He was a victim of a system that looks the other way when legends are down and out. Once a celebrated star, in the last 25 years, the grossly tribal-sided Nigerian system made it impossible for Chris Mba to live a good life as a veteran and legend.
Also, the fact that Chris Mba hails from the part of Nigeria where
folks only give a damn about the current musicians making waves; they are quick to label musicians who attain a certain age as old musicians. And if you tell them that other tribes in Nigeria still support their men and women who began playing music before some of us were born, they remain adamant and don’t care. Coming from a background where folks define you and tell you when to stop doing what you enjoy doing most made many musicians across Niger die in poverty.
It saddens me that Chris Mba is no more, but I know he is in a better place. Today, you have the JUBAL, the Juju Musicians Association, and FUMAN, the Fuji Musicians Association. Our brothers and sisters have no group. We have lost many brothers, sisters, and dear colleagues, across The Niger along the way without many of us knowing they passed on. In most cases, the once-shining stars die quietly, unnoticed, and unrecognized by our society.
Rest in Peace, Chris Mba, the Jerry Curls bobo, veteran, and legend who reigned supremely in the ’80s.
Mazi Ike Agu (Maziyke, is a Nigerian-American musician, singer, songwriter, and producer based in New York City.
