Nigeria, March 22 -- Highlife maestro Godwin Opara, popularly called Kabaka, who ended a two-decade hiatus in September 2023 with the "Abialam" album, is dead.

He was 77.

His management, Derda Promotions, said the music icon who pioneered and revolutionised Highlife music died on Thursday.

Ammarachi Anyanwu, chief operating officer of Derda Promotions, revealed this in a statement on Friday morning.

"Kabaka was a talented and beloved songwriter and guitarist who brought joy to countless fans with his infectious highlife music," Ms Anyanwu said.

She, however, didn't reveal the cause of his death.

Kabaka's musical journey spanned several decades, genres, and bands.

He co-founded The Oriental Brothers International Band in 1973, a Hig...