Igbo Legendary Entertainer - Oliver De Coque

Photo Credit: The Sun Nigeria

Nigerian guitarist King Oliver Sunday Akanite (14 April 1947 – 20 June 2008), better known by the stage name (Dr.) Chief Oliver de Coque is one of Africa's most prolific recording artists. De Coque was born in Ezinifite, Nnewi South, Anambra State, Nigeria, in 1947, to an Igbo family.

Playing music since the age of 11, Coque and was taught to play the guitar by a Congolese guitarist living in Nigeria. Serving an apprenticeship with juju stars Sunny Agaga and Jacob Oluwale, he was a star by his late teens. Attracting international attention with a London performance in 1973, he played on Prince Nico Mbarga's album Sweet Mother four years later. Since releasing his debut album Messiah Messiah in 1977, Coque has recorded no fewer than 73 albums in his homeland. His dance-inspiring "Ogene" style of Nigerian high life, which blends modern high life and traditional Igbo music, has produced such hits as "Biri Ka Mbiri," "Ana Enwe," "Naukwa Mmwanwu," and "Identity," which remained on Radio Nigeria 2's Top Ten throughout most of 1981.

Coque is often backed by his brother Eugene's Igede International Band.