Dead But Living: The Story Of Defunct
Musical Groups Published on May 4, 2012 by · 1 Comment Nigerian artistes, particularly musicians are
worshipped like gods in some African countries
and other parts of the world. At concerts, they are
venerated, and their music enjoys rave reviews in
international media. Evidence abound that groups
achieve this feat quicker and easily than solo artistes, especially if the group is good. However,
despite tremendous hit songs and dazzling
performances, intra-group break-up cuts short the
life-span of many promising collaborations. The list
of many failed or aborted talented Nigerian musical
groups is endless. P.M Entertainment x-rays some of the popular defunct groups. Plantashun Boyz: Comprising the trio of Innocent
Ujah Idibia (2Face), Ahmedu Augustine Obiabo
(Blackface) and Chibuzor Oji, better known as Faze,
Plantashun Boyz was arguably the most successful
musical group in Nigeria at a time. While the group
was at its zenith, apparently due to its unique and emotional vocal deliveries, was likened to other
successful groups abroad such as West Life and
Back Street Boyz. With its follow-up monster cuts, Plantashun Boyz
was not just one of the pioneers of what is being
dubbed today as Nigerian Hip Hop, the group,
considering its exploits, was expected to rule the
Nigerian music scene for a long time and as well
make a landmark achievement on the international scene. But what seems to be a dream gradually
coming true was abruptly cut short when members
of the group decided to pursue solo careers in
2004. During their days as Plantashun Boyz, the group
released two albums, Body and Soul (2000) and
Sold Out (2003). The success of the two albums is
what music buffs cannot forget in a hurry.
However, 2Face, Faze and Blackface made good
impact with their debut solo efforts but only 2Face has been able to surpass expectations, and may be,
Faze too, but Blackface has since fizzled out. At a time, in 2007 to be precise, there were efforts
to reconcile members of the defunct Plantashun
Boyz, when one of the leading music marketers in
Nigeria, T-Joe, persuaded them to record a reunion
album entitled; Plan B. Plan B was indeed a colossal
failure. The Remedies: In the 90s the defunct Hip Hop
group, The Remedies, was a household name in the
Nigeria. At that time, there were very few artistes
who could compete with them, considering their
novelty and vigour. The group consisted of Eddy
Montana, Tony Tetuila and Eedris Abdulkareem. Managed and promoted by Kennis Music, the group
headlined virtually all the major shows in Nigeria
then, and the members were quite famous. With
their hits such as Shako Mo and Omode Meta Shere,
The Remedies blew minds. But their reign was cut short by an untimely break-
up which left the industry and their fans
wondering. Surprisingly, after the break-up, Eddy,
Tetuila and Eedris each bagged individual
recording contracts with Kennis Music, the same
label that promoted them as a group. This development sort of gave credence to Eddy’s claim
that “Kennis Music killed The Remedies’ dreams.” Well, as solo artistes, Eddy, Tetuila and Eedris
managed to release hits at some points, but they
were soon blown away by the winds. Though
Eedris, who is back on the label of Kennis Music, is
still struggling to make an impact, it is obvious he
cannot compete favourably at the moment, while Tetuila and Eddy in particular, seem to have given
up the battle. X-Appeal: The group comprises the duo of Adeyemi
Michael Adeleke (Lexzy Doo) and Olumuyiwa
Olofinkuade (Jazzman Olofin). When the duo met at
the University of Lagos, Akoka and realised that
they were of like minds, they formed the group X-
Appeal, and in 2000 released an album entitled Bo Mess. It was a hit. But in 2002, both Lexzy and
Jazzman decided to pursue solo careers. They both hugged fame as solo artistes. While
Lexzy rocked with the monster hit, Baby Skeske,
Jazzman on the other hand blew minds with songs
such as Raise Tha Roof and Sexy, but their
respective solo success was short-lived. Trybesmen: Also known as Da Trybe, Trybesmen
was an African Hip Hop group and one of the
pioneers of the genre of music in Nigeria. The three
original members, known as Eldee, Kaboom and
Freestyle, first met in 1994 in Lagos. Their first
album, L.A.G Style Volume 1, was released in 1999 to positive reviews. Their hits include Trybal Marks
and Shake Bodi. Two members, Eldee and Freestyle,
later recorded solo albums after the group broke
up. At the moment, Eldee’s career is still on a steady
rise, while Freestyle has been struggling to make
impact. Nothing has been heard of the third
member of the defunct Trybesmen group, Kaboom. Zule Zoo: This group made up of Ibrahim Al-Hassan
and Mike, both from Benue State, was quite unique
in their musical delivery and dance steps. Zule Zoo
was more popular with its perfect blend of African
tunes in a modernised way. Ibrahim and Mike
actually started as professional dancers in 1992 in Benue state before taking up singing professionally
when they relocated to Lagos in 1996. The group enjoyed more fame when its
controversial hit, Kerewa, was banned by Nigerian
Broadcasting Commission (NBC) for its supposed
lewd contents. However, since Ibrahim and Mike
went solo, the former has released a couple songs,
but hasn’t made a hit. Resonance: They were the subject of national
adulation. They’ve won awards in Lagos while
lounging in Enugu. They’ve got a future as bright as
a trip to the sun, but unfortunately, the duo of
Esther ‘E-Star’ Abigbo and Uche ‘Gucheano’ Ozoigbo
have decided to squander it all- by breaking up in August 2007. Though details of what led to the break-up could
not be ascertained, it was rumoured that Gucheano
was aggrieved because Esther was taking virtually
all the credits of the group. Resonance became popular when the video of
Chinwe Ike of the duo’s album of same title hit the
airwaves. The seven-track album was released by
Resonance Records and marketed by Ahbu
Ventures. KUSH: To say that KUSH was one of the most
inspiring musical groups in Nigeria is an
understatement. The quartet, Lara George, Emem
Ema, TY Bello and Dapo Toromino, that made up the
Kinetically Ushering Salvation into Hearts and
Homes (KUSH) met at the Rock Solid Choir in the University of Lagos. They soon developed a
working chemistry and decided to form the group.
Their debut album entitled: The Experience, was a
hit before the group split in 2004. They were
signed to a United States of America-based record
label, DKG Music. As solo singer, Lara George did well with her debut
album, which includes the Ijoba Orun track among
others, while TY Bello, who is now a professional
photographer, lived up to her billings with the
song, Greenland. Emem on her own part also
released a track called Greenlight, but was short of being a hit. Maintain: The trio of Olu, Tolu and Big Bamo rocked
the Nigerian music scene in the late 90s as
members of the music group, Maintain. Between
1998 and 2004, the group released six albums
before splitting in 2005. With the songs, I Catch
Cold and Nibo La Wa Gbe Lo, Maintain was obviously one of the fans’ favourites until the
break-up. After a long silence from members of the defunct
group, Olu established his solo career with the
monster cut, Yahoozey and the current one, Nawty
currently enjoying reviews. Mo’Hits: What can be described as the most
shocking and unexpected break-up in the history
of Nigerian new generation music is that of the
Mo’Hits crew which is still a subject of major
debates. All members of the crew, Don Jazzy,
D’banj, Wande Coal, Dr. Sid, K-Switch and D’Prince, recently went their separate ways after
irreconcilable differences tore the president (Don
Jazzy) and vice president (D’banj) of the label apart. While it might be too early to predict who blinks
first among the members after the break-up, it will
be on record that the group has made an immense
contribution to the respect Nigerian music is
currently enjoying globally. KC Presh: When KC Presh won the maiden edition of
Star Quest talent competition, they went a step
further to prove their mettle as entertainers. Unlike
many others who failed to prove themselves after
winning talent hunt programmes, KC Presh was
able to produce a couple of hits which include Sio Nkpo, Senge Menge and Shokori Bobo. Their debut
album, Make a Noise, was released in 2005. Last year, they joined the list of defunct musical
groups. KC was the first to release his debut single,
Okpekete, followed by Presh who featured Ice
Prince in a song entitled O Bad. -Bayo Adetu