Rogers All Stars is a Nigerian independent record label founded in the 1970s by Romanus Nwaementa Okonkwo, also known as Rogers. Its studio and production plant is located in Onitsha. Following Nigeria's oil boom in 1979, Rogers All Stars was one of the labels responsible for the substantial growth of record production in Nigeria, especially for musicians associated with the highlife genre of Nigerian pop music.
Rogers All Stars was founded by Romanus Nwaementa Okonkwo. Okonkwo had previously worked with another Nigerian label, Right Time Records. During this time, Okonkwo would DJ weekend events at local schools with music from Right Time Records artists, as well as other highlife music and American country artists such as Skeeter Davis, Jim Reeves, and The Everly Brothers. Because of the label's use of branded Rogers International audio equipment, he became known as Rogers. After working with Right Time for seven years, he departed to form his own label. In order to avoid conflict with other labels or acts known as "All Stars", he prepended his old nickname.[1]
In 1975, Prince Nico Mbarga signed with Rogers All Stars following his break from EMI, which had ceased production on his previous releases.[2] Two years after EMI rejected a demo of his highlife track "Sweet Mother", Okonkwo heard Mbarga performing it at the Plaza Hotel in Onitsha with his band, Rocafil; Okonkwo proposed releasing it through his fledgling label. Following the single's successful release, Rogers All Stars sponsored a West African tour for Mbarga and his band. However, tensions emerged when Mbarga brought Okonkwo to court on suspicion that he was withholding royalties.[3] Around this time, Rogers All Stars also signed Cameroonian musician Justin Tchatchoua.[4] By 1979, Nigeria was experiencing an oil boom. This period of economic growth enabled Rogers All Stars and other Nigerian labels to produce millions of records annually.[5]
Due to the popularity of Mbarga's recordings, his style of highlife music became what Black Music & Jazz describes as the "house style" for Rogers All Stars in the late 70s and early 80s. Okukuseku International Band of Ghana, led by Kofi Sammy, used a similar style, blending traditional Ghanaian rhythms and harmonies with two-tracked guitars, which had a more contemporary sound. However, some Rogers All Stars acts, such as Canadoes Super Stars Band Of Ghana, departed from Mbarga's formula, opting instead for a less westernized fuji music style.[6]
In 2017, Okonkwo was involved in a petition to the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) by an assembly of Nigerian music industry professionals. The assembly held COSON accountable for poor copyright regulation in Nigeria.[7] Since the late 90s, poor copyright control has contributed to both declining revenues for independent Nigerian labels and also the movement of major international labels such as EMI and Sony out of the Nigerian market.[8]
^Okonkwo, Romanus Nwaementa (14 April 2018). "The Full Story of Rogers All Stars, Father of Musicians" (Interview). Interviewed by Fred Iwenjora. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
^ abOti, Sonny (2009). Highlife Music in West Africa: Down Memory Lane. African Books Collective. p. 145. ISBN978-978-8422-08-2.
^Kent, Sami (26 June 2017). "His Biggest Hit Sold More Copies Than Any of the Beatles'. So Why Haven't You Heard of Him?". Narratively. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
^Llewellyn, Howell (26 July 2008). "Rock the Casbah". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. p. 22.
^Collins, John (5 June 2015). Fela: Kalakuta Notes. Wesleyan University Press. p. 266. ISBN978-0-8195-7540-1.
^ abcBlack Music & Jazz Review. Vol. 6. IPC Specialist & Professional Press. June 1983. p. 3.
^"Concerned Stakeholders In The Music Industry Petition COSON For Straying Away From Objectives". 360nobs. 26 December 2017. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
^Idibia, Innocent (21 March 2019). "Two Decades of Afro-pop In Nigeria: The Perspective Of 2Baba". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
rogers, stars, nigerian, independent, record, label, founded, 1970s, romanus, nwaementa, okonkwo, also, known, rogers, studio, production, plant, located, onitsha, following, nigeria, boom, 1979, labels, responsible, substantial, growth, record, production, ni. Rogers All Stars is a Nigerian independent record label founded in the 1970s by Romanus Nwaementa Okonkwo also known as Rogers Its studio and production plant is located in Onitsha Following Nigeria s oil boom in 1979 Rogers All Stars was one of the labels responsible for the substantial growth of record production in Nigeria especially for musicians associated with the highlife genre of Nigerian pop music Rogers All StarsFounded1970sFounderRomanus Nwaementa OkonkwoGenrehighlife juju fujiCountry of originNigeriaLocationOnitsha Contents 1 History 2 Artists 3 References 4 External linksHistory editRogers All Stars was founded by Romanus Nwaementa Okonkwo Okonkwo had previously worked with another Nigerian label Right Time Records During this time Okonkwo would DJ weekend events at local schools with music from Right Time Records artists as well as other highlife music and American country artists such as Skeeter Davis Jim Reeves and The Everly Brothers Because of the label s use of branded Rogers International audio equipment he became known as Rogers After working with Right Time for seven years he departed to form his own label In order to avoid conflict with other labels or acts known as All Stars he prepended his old nickname 1 In 1975 Prince Nico Mbarga signed with Rogers All Stars following his break from EMI which had ceased production on his previous releases 2 Two years after EMI rejected a demo of his highlife track Sweet Mother Okonkwo heard Mbarga performing it at the Plaza Hotel in Onitsha with his band Rocafil Okonkwo proposed releasing it through his fledgling label Following the single s successful release Rogers All Stars sponsored a West African tour for Mbarga and his band However tensions emerged when Mbarga brought Okonkwo to court on suspicion that he was withholding royalties 3 Around this time Rogers All Stars also signed Cameroonian musician Justin Tchatchoua 4 By 1979 Nigeria was experiencing an oil boom This period of economic growth enabled Rogers All Stars and other Nigerian labels to produce millions of records annually 5 Due to the popularity of Mbarga s recordings his style of highlife music became what Black Music amp Jazz describes as the house style for Rogers All Stars in the late 70s and early 80s Okukuseku International Band of Ghana led by Kofi Sammy used a similar style blending traditional Ghanaian rhythms and harmonies with two tracked guitars which had a more contemporary sound However some Rogers All Stars acts such as Canadoes Super Stars Band Of Ghana departed from Mbarga s formula opting instead for a less westernized fuji music style 6 In 2017 Okonkwo was involved in a petition to the Copyright Society of Nigeria COSON by an assembly of Nigerian music industry professionals The assembly held COSON accountable for poor copyright regulation in Nigeria 7 Since the late 90s poor copyright control has contributed to both declining revenues for independent Nigerian labels and also the movement of major international labels such as EMI and Sony out of the Nigerian market 8 Artists editThis section needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section Unsourced material may be challenged and removed September 2019 Learn how and when to remove this message Artists that are or have been signed to Rogers All Stars include Bright Chimezie Ikenga Superstars of Africa Goddy Ezike amp Black Brothers Prince Nico Mbarga and Rocafil 2 Okukuseku International Band of Ghana 6 Canadoes Super Stars Band Of Ghana 6 References edit Okonkwo Romanus Nwaementa 14 April 2018 The Full Story of Rogers All Stars Father of Musicians Interview Interviewed by Fred Iwenjora Retrieved 21 August 2018 a b Oti Sonny 2009 Highlife Music in West Africa Down Memory Lane African Books Collective p 145 ISBN 978 978 8422 08 2 Kent Sami 26 June 2017 His Biggest Hit Sold More Copies Than Any of the Beatles So Why Haven t You Heard of Him Narratively Retrieved 21 August 2018 Llewellyn Howell 26 July 2008 Rock the Casbah Billboard Nielsen Business Media p 22 Collins John 5 June 2015 Fela Kalakuta Notes Wesleyan University Press p 266 ISBN 978 0 8195 7540 1 a b c Black Music amp Jazz Review Vol 6 IPC Specialist amp Professional Press June 1983 p 3 Concerned Stakeholders In The Music Industry Petition COSON For Straying Away From Objectives 360nobs 26 December 2017 Retrieved 21 August 2018 Idibia Innocent 21 March 2019 Two Decades of Afro pop In Nigeria The Perspective Of 2Baba Nigerian Entertainment Today Retrieved 17 April 2019 External links editRogers All Stars discography on Discogs Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Rogers All Stars amp oldid 1064434580, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
