In the days when Highlife music truly thrived and was well sustained, one of its key exponents was the legendary Chief Dr. Sunday ‘Oliver De Coque’ Akanite.
He popularised the highlife music genre, locally and internationally but as fate would have it, Oliver De Coque passed away, nearly nine years ago, specifically on June 20, 2008 after a massive heart attack.
In its continued bid to revive and sustain highlife music, which is the main objective of the monthly Elders’ Forum, jointly organised by O’jez Entertainment Group and Evergreen Musical Company Limited, this May Edition will feature the infusion of artistic development and innovation as advocated by experts such as Elder Benson Idonije.
The May Edition is scheduled to hold this Sunday, May 28, by 5:00pm at the celebrity Ojez Restaurant and Bar, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
This edition, which is the 4th in the series, will see Darlington Akanite De Coque (aka Safine), who incidentally is the son of the late Chief Dr. Oliver De Coque and an upcoming music star, take to the stage to treat invited guests to that innovative and transformational change in Highlife music.
Still in line with one of the organisers’ objectives, a “Lifetime Achievement” award will be presented, post-humously, to the legacy of Oliver De Coque and received by his son, Safine.
The night promises to be a sharp departure from the norm as guests will be treated to a night of nostalgic music from one of Africa’s fast rising music artistes as Safine rehashes memorable and golden tunes from the stable of his demised father.
Before his demise, the legendary Ogene Sound exponent and his Ogene Super Sound of Africa band waxed over 73 albums to their credit, according to Ogbuefi Ray Ifeme, his former manager.
Prominent amongst artistes who have featured in the Elders Forum Party series, since its revival, are Miatta Fahnbulleh from Liberia, Jimi Solanke, Shina Ayinde-Bakare, Lady Julie, a renowned female highlife musician, Beautiful Nubia, Bayode Victor-Olaiya, Daisi Orlando – Owoh and other support artistes.