It is not strange to hear or see children towing the same path their parents did, musically. Femi Kuti (the son of Fela Kuti); Seun Kuti (the son of Femi Kuti); Safin De Coque (son of Oliver De Coque) just to name a few all followed their fathers to learn the music trade.
So, it is no surprise that Bright Chimezie’s children have all decided to join their father in the huge task of zigimatising his numerous fans with the zigima gospel despite all doing well in their chosen professions.
According to a write up by Fred Iwenjora, his sons including the twins Melvin and Kelvin, Chukwudi and Michael are aside from graduating in colors from tertiary studies are all also proficient in music and can be seen in the band contributing their own quota to the so called Zigimatization of the world at spare times.
Insiders say they are now regular members of the zigima movement performing on stage and in the studio. While Melvin tears at the sax like a pro to flow with the horns influenced music his father created, his twin brother Kelvin sings so well as his father delivering solid choruses for him and the Zigima band also. Kelvin has opened shows for his father on many occasions just like Michael sings and dances.
The guitarist in the house is Chukwudi a lawyer whose recent call to bar may be affecting his time and musical interests. These children were born into the strong musical family and have towed the family line while also fulfilling their academic dreams.
Bright Chimezie who was born on October 1, 1960, hails from Abia State. His music style became known as Zigima Sound — a genre which became popular in the Eastern part of Nigeria in the early 1980s.
The genre is a mix of traditional Nigerian music and Igbo highlife infused with chanted vocals. Bright Chimezie used it to revolutionise the musical structure in Nigeria with lyrics that focused on the social issues of the country in a rather funny way. He made songs like ‘Ube Nwanne’, ‘because of English’, ‘African style’, among others.
His album, Respect Africa, brought him to the limelight as he used these songs to ridicule problems in society. Chimezie is also known for his dance steps, popularly known as legwork. His stylish way of mixing excellent steps and a warning chant gave him the title ‘ the duke of African music.
