Oliver De Coque

This biography contains the following:
a. Background
b. Career
c. Real Name
d. Town, State & Country 
e. Age
f. Networth
g. Marital Status
h. Associates
I. Death 


Background:
Oliver De Coque was noted by many media platforms, institutions and the World as being among Africa's most prolific recording artiste. 

He recorded many albums numbering about 73 which placed his music legacies as among top legacies that would never fade and will continue to reign from generation to generation.

Career:
Oliver De Coque got his musical start in 1965 at the age of 17 playing ekpili, a form of Igbo traditional music. In 1970, following the defeat of the Biafran war of independence, he got a job playing with a Lagos group, Sunny Agaga & his Lucky Star Band. Shortly after he engaged with Jacob Oluwole & his Friendly Unity Band, and was featured on their hit "Agbasisi." De Coque's stint with this group was also short-lived, and in 1973 he took up with Sule Agboola & his Moonlight Star Band.

Together with Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe and the various Orientals off-shoots, Oliver De Coque (b. Oliver Sunday Akanite) can be considered one of the prime exemplars of and chief innovators in contemporary Igbo popular music. Of these musicians, he has done the most to integrate contemporary highlife and traditional Igbo music. Indeed, his trademark "system" or "style" takes its name from the Ogene, a double-headed bell used in traditional Igbo music. One of Africa's greatest guitarists, he has been much inspired by Congolese soukous, and this is shown to good form in such releases as 1985's "Nne Bu Oyoyo / Ezigbo Nna." "Omumu Onye Nzoputa (Jesu Kristi) / Olu Ebube Nke Onye Nweayi" from 1983 shares a guitar line with the tune "Nanu Lubutu" by Congolese group Minzoto Wella-Wella.

Oliver De Coque has continued into the '90s with his usual fecundity. In addition to his singing career he has also branched out into the acting field, appearing in several Nigerian video releases. While De Coque still delivers a great stage show, his last few releases have been rather weak. His younger brother Eugene, however has ably carried on the "Ogene" tradition with his updated "Igede" sound

Real Name:
Oliver Sunday Akanite a.k.a Oliver De Coque

Town, State & Country:
Oliver De Coque hails from Ezinifite, Nnewi South LGA, Anambra State, Nigeria. 

Age:
Born 14th April 1947 (Aged 61)

Networth:
Oliver Before his death was said to worth over $13,000 and had undeclared assets and shares.

Marital:
Oliver is married to four wives and had twelve children.

Associates (individuals, institutions and clubs): 

Individuals:
a. Chief Ezeanyi Oruefi
b. Chief Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu
c. Jomo Kenyatta
d. Late Chief Ezigbo Obiligbo
e. IBB Special
f. Dr. (Mrs.) Maryam Babangida
g. Chief Abdulaziz Chibuzo
h. Sam Okwaraji Special
i. Chief Ezeani Oruefi
j. Abacha
k. Anaedo Special

Clubs, Institutions and Club:
a. Odiri Social Club of Nigeria
b. Ibeto Ind. (Colour Lab. Division)
c. Onyeaghana Umunneya Social Club of Nempi (Nigeria)
d. Odenigbo United Industrial Harp Club of Nigeria 
e. Ugwuochi Social Club of Nigeria 
f. Ekeututu SpecialOrsu L.G.A. Imo State
g. Ekueme Youth Club of Nigeria
h. Odenigbo United Industrial Harp Club of Nigeria 
i. Jacob Oluwole & his Friendly Unity Band
j. Olumo Records Special
k. People's Club of Nigeria
l. Ezinifite Star United Club of Nigeria 

Death:
King Chief Oliver de Coque died on June 20, 2008 in a hospital in Gbagada, Lagos, after struck by heart failure. Although before he had been taking care of at R Jolad Hospital, Agege.

His Music Continuation After Death:
Two of De Coque's sons have also recently entered the musical field. One, Oliver Sunday Akanite Jr., released his first album, Onye Juru Ase in early 2004, while Darlington Akanite hopes to make his mark in the burgeoning Nigerian hip-hop field.

Albums:
Oliver De Coque has 73 albums to his credit, many more than are in Throwback Times.