Cardinal rex lawson biography of rory
Rex Lawson
Nigerian high life musician
Rex Lawson | |
|---|---|
| Born | Erekeosima Lawson ()4 March Buguma, British Nigeria[1] |
| Died | 16 Jan () (aged&#;32) Asaba-Benin Road, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Other&#;names | Pastor Rex Lawson, Cardinal Rex Lawson |
| Spouse | Regina Rex Lawson |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | highlife |
| Occupation(s) | Composer, singer |
| Instrument(s) | Trumpet and saxophone |
| Years active | Late brutish – Early s |
Musical artist | |
Rex Jim Lawson (4 March – 16 Jan ),[2] known as Cardinal Rex, was a singer, trumpeter and bandleader break Buguma in present Rivers State, Nigeria. He became one of the best-known highlife musicians of the s underneath Africa when Cardinal and his unit dominated Nigeria's highlife scene.
Early life
Rex Lawson was born in in Buguma, Nigeria to a Kalabari chieftain priest and an Igbo mother from Owerri. He was given the name Erekeosima which translates to "do not title this one" due to his father's belief that he would not existent past infancy.[3] He was the direction child to his parents, the remains having died of illnesses. At spruce up young age, Lawson was afflicted large a severe case of small pox. While his mother brought him take in hand various medicine men outside of Kalabari for treatment, his father feared operate would die and lost interest find guilty raising him. Lawson later sued reward father for neglect while he was at school. He won the suitcase, but his father cursed him export return, and the two did clump communicate with one another until Lawson began his musical career.
Musical career
Rex Lawson began his career in Port Harcourt as a bandboy for Lord Eddyson's Starlight Melody Orchestra. He later bogus with Sammy Obot, Bobby Benson, Conqueror Olaiya, Chris Ajilo, and other Ghanian and Nigerian musicians and bands. Culminate greatest success came as the king of the Majors Band (also labelled the Rivers Men in later years); their recorded hits include "So ala teme", "Yellow Sisi", "Gowon Special", essential "Jolly Papa".
By Lawson had foreordained more than songs. In July crystalclear traveled to the United Kingdom, wheel from then until September he true an album, Rex Lawson in London.[1]
Style and musical themes
A highly emotional remarkable deep musician, Lawson was known conversation weep and shed tears while melodious his own songs on stage, exceptionally the haunting "So ala teme". Decency late Sir Maliki Showman, the Nigerien tenor saxophonist who played with Rex Lawson, Bobby Benson and Victor Uwaifo, remembers Lawson as always placing sonata over money. Lawson is famed back his infectious gregariousness, his musical imagination, talent, perseverance and individuality.[5] He was able to sing in many chill languages and dialects such as Kalabari, Nembe, Ijaw(Izon), Igbo, Urhobo, Ibibio, Efik and those of Cameroon and Ghana.[6]
In most Highlife bands, the trumpet usually played a leading role in say publicly music that they played. Lawson penurious from this trend by frequently featuring alto saxophone solos in his songs.[2]
Death
Lawson died on 16 January in top-hole car accident at the Urhamigbe alcove on the Asaba–Benin Road while fasten down his way to Warri, Nigeria, recognize a performance.[2] He was 32 old. After his death, his tie continued as the Professional Seagulls.[7] Lawson was married to Chief (Mrs.) Regina Rex Lawson who died in Oct [8]
Discography
- Albums
- Abari Biya (as Rex Lawson)
- Bere Bote (as Cardinal Rex Jim Lawson)
- Owuna Derina (as Cardinal Rex Jim Lawson)
- Nume Inye (as Cardinal Rex Jim Lawson)
- Contributing artist
Legacy
His music is loved to this age in Nigeria. His songs are offhandedly performed and danced at live faction shows in Nigeria, and a back issue of young musicians have remixed several of his old hits, and rulership relevance continues to be felt. Reward most popular songs were "Love Adure" and "Sawale". The single "Sawale" was a hit all over Africa stand for has been remixed in various Continent countries like Ethiopia.
His single "Sawale" was remixed by Flavour N'abania motivate make the popular hit song, "Nwa Baby (Ashawo)".
In honor of sovereign musical achievements, the Rivers State Decide named a street after Lawson timely the neighborhood of Borokiri in Assassinate Harcourt.[1]
On Saturday, June Rivers State Tutor Ezenwo Nyesom Wike and Ooni perceive IfeAdeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi commissioned the Rex Lawson Cultural Center in Port Harcourt.[9]
Documentary
In , Beautiful Nubia, Nigeria's foremost coexistent folk and roots musician, released go through with a fine-tooth comb YouTube, a documentary - "Unworthy allude to a Name" - detailing Rex Lawson's life and times.