Nigerian musician and songwriter William Onyeabor is mostly recognized for having invented the Afrobeat genre and for his distinctive fusion of electronic music with traditional African rhythms. Onyeabor, who was born in Enugu, Nigeria, on March 20, 1946, gained notoriety in the 1970s and 1980s music scene for his avant-garde use of synthesizers and funk in combination with traditional African rhythms.
Positive and self-empowerment themes are frequently incorporated into Onyeabor’s lively, rhythmic music. Among the albums he put out were “Something You Can Feel,” “Atomic Bomb,” and “Good Name,” which are now well-known in the Afrobeat and electronic music scenes. Although he didn’t have much success commercially during his active years, his work gained posthumous recognition and acclaim, particularly through the efforts of international reissue labels and music enthusiasts who unearthed and celebrated his unique sound.
Known for being a reclusive person who avoided the spotlight, Onyeabor was one of the more mysterious people in music. He was also well-known for his shift from a public life to a private one after his musical career, concentrating on commercial endeavors and religious pursuits. Despite his untimely death on January 16, 2017, his influence on the genre and his ground-breaking music continue to carry on his legacy. William Onyeabor is still regarded as a legendary figure due to his inventive contributions and influence on the sound of contemporary Afrobeat.