William Onyeabor

William Onyeabor was a pioneering Nigerian musician known for his electro Afro-funk sound. Born in Lagos in 1946, he began his music career early, later studying cinematography in Russia before returning to Nigeria to start his own company, Wilfilms. Incorporating synthesizers and drum machines, Onyeabor created a unique blend of Nigerian folk, Afro-beat, and American R&B, disco, and funk influences. His eight self-released albums, starting with "Crashes in Love" in 1977, gained regional and international recognition.

After retiring from music in the mid-1980s to focus on business and his Christian faith, Onyeabor lived a reclusive life in Enugu, Nigeria. His music has since been rediscovered through compilations and remix projects, with Luaka Bop releasing the authoritative compilation "World Psychedelic Classics, Vol. 5: Who Is William Onyeabor?" in 2013. Onyeabor passed away in 2017 at the age of 70.