By IFECHI OKOH

Reggae music embraced and applauded all over the world as veritable form of protest music, once ruled our beats scene in the 1980s till late 1990s. But pitiably, like everything that comes and disappears, reggae suddenly and finally took the back seat naturally. The crooners names which use to be a song-song, are no longer so because of time phenomenon. Today, a bunch of these movers and shakers are alive, while few are just no more. However, their names still evoke memories of yester- years when mentioned. Today, SHOWBIZ-XTRA would be parading the five living celebrity acts and what they are doing for survival too. Welcome!

ORTIS WILIKI

This die-hard reggae roots man, with enchanting voice pitch and celebrated as Koolman Revolutionarie, on the reggae podium, stormed the scene in the mid-1980s, with his first monumental outing titled “Tribulation”, which automatically stamped him as an enigmatic reggae icon. He simply pushed on with other evergreen hits, making him to remain in contention for long. He was a visible act during the greater part of the 1980s till late 1990s, doing the celebrated Benson and Hedges yearly jamboree shows which featured other top performers, till his fame naturally started to wane. That notwithstanding, he remains relevant in the scheme of music packaging as a producer, pushing out his own songs online occasionally till date in Lagos.

MANDATORS

The group which we hardly hear of these days because of the long and inevitable relocation of their founder and leader, Victor Essiet, to USA over the years, hit the dais with a successful, album, “Rat Race”. Since then, it has been up, up and up for their musical career as hits after previous ones just followed ceaselessly till Victor and his late partner, Peggy Imanah, had an unfortunate misunderstanding which lingered on for long before they separated and Peggy died. Essiet, actually came back to Nigeria in 2014 to test if reggae music still holds the promise and fire like it did in the 80s till 90s. The first outing confirmed that reggae has actually lost its steam. He tried it again the following year, it was same old story. After this, he jetted back to US to continue his life and living there.

BLACKKY

His real name is Edward Inyang, but on the beats scene, especially in reggae music circumference, everybody knows him as Blackky. He was simply one of the few celebrity toasters who can just be described as being lucky. His brother in-law, Dean Disi, was the General Manager of Premier Records then. He was said to have just used his office to push Blackky well and effectively too, as per promotions of his works. So, it was easy for the young man to hop onto the platform to help himself. Hence, he was seen to be everywhere while he reigned. He actually made appreciable impact with his impactful and most celebrated work, “Rosie”, which Timaya later reworked, years after. That song which undoubtedly fired Blackky to the top of his career, could be described as the proverbial northern harmattan wind in dry season. For now, there is no information as to where he is or what he is doing.

ALEX ZITTO

Before he jumped onto the showbiz podium like a professional who calculated well and was out to register his arrival with a commanding bang, did so like someone who had been at the background as a session man, backing so many tight bands and recording acts. With time and years, he became known and celebrated within such fold. He knew and acclimatized with those who mattered there. So when he finally came out with his “Tickle Me” in 1989, that song actually announced his arrival with a loud bang. It really dominated the TV and Radio airwaves for years. It was also the same for the parties and club circles. Like most stars, he fizzled out when the economic centre of Nigeria cannot hold again, as one challenge led to another, making life unbearable for him. The paralysis that pervaded the system at the time, forced him like many others, to seek for greener pastures elsewhere. We reliably gathered that he is now in US, living it up as a performing act. But sadly, what he is churning out is strongly believed to be below standard of music followers yonder. What a pity!

EVI EDNA-OGOSI

From nowhere, she came like the proverbial thunderbolt, courtesy of her unique native reggae which origin and strength sprang from her Isoko dialect. At first, this obvious innovation was just like wild fire for followers who couldn’t hide their excitement. Luckily for the self-styled “Queen of Reggae Music”, her then husband and producer, Emman Ogosi, had good ear for music which he had since proved with his own productions. He established this with the hit productions of Evi’s works. Her recording company noticed this in their impressive record sales and gave her a good accommodation and car too. Life was sweet as she enjoyed fame and concerts together. What’s more! But sadly, oh yeah, the evil economic situation which ate up others, eventually inched up to her and the discouraging stories, of the beginning to the end, started. However, the last straw which pitiably broke the camel's back came from her sudden estranged marriage which led to her forceful separation from Emma who was reported to have treated her like a bloody house girl through very disrespectful beatings anywhere and anyhow. We scooped that she did not know when she jumped out of that slavish and scandalous relationship which produced some grown-up children. What a shame to Emma for not controlling his temperament!