King (Dr.) Chief Oliver De Coque, also known as Highlife King of Africa turns 74 today.
Oliver De Coque was a popular Nigerian guitarist and one of Africa’s most prolific recording artists.
Google today honours Oliver De Coque by dedicating a special, temporary and brilliant doodle to him on Google’s homepages.
Oliver De Coque was born on this day in 1947 in Ezinifite in South East Nigeria. He recorded no less than 93 albums in his homeland and is considered the most flamboyant Igbo musician in Africa.
The African legend famously infused the modern West African highlife genre with a Congolese-influenced guitar style and the energetic dance elements of Igbo music he grew up with, crafting a unique musical style, which he called ‘Ogene’.
Oliver de Coque died at the age of 61 on June 20, 2008.