Oliver Sunday Akanite was a Nigerian guitarist and one of Africa’s most prolific recording artists.

Birth name: Oliver Sunday Akanite

Born: April 14, 1947

Origin: Ezinifite, Nnewi South, Anambra State.

Died: June 20, 2008 (aged 61)

Genres: Igbo highlife

Occupation(s): Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer, Lead Guitarist

Years active: 1965–2008

Labels: Olumo Records Nigeria Limited

Early life and career

Since releasing his debut album Messiah Messiah in 1977, Coque had recorded no fewer than 93 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 “People’s Club of Nigeria”,“nempi social club”, “Biri Ka Mbiri,” “Ana Enwe,” “Nnukwu Mmanwu,” and “Identity,” which remained on Radio Nigeria 2’s Top Ten throughout most of 1981.

Playing music since the age of 11, Coque was taught to play the guitar by Piccolo, 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. Oliver is also considered as the most flamboyant Igbo musician. Attracting international attention with a London performance in 1973, he played on Prince Nico Mbarga’s album Sweet Mother four years later. Coque was often backed by his brother Eugene’s Igede International Band. Oliver’s sons Edu de Coque, Safin de Coque and Solar de Coque are also musicians. He died at the age of 61 in 2008. Oliver de coque married four wives and he is a father of twelve children.

Later life and death.

Oliver de coque died on 20 june 2008.