By Amadou Manjang
Chijioke, an upcoming Nigerian musician who came to the Gambia in 2024, wants to collaborate with local artists and musicians to promote Gambian music.
‘I came to the Gambia in 2024 and fell in love with the ecology and I came to feel a place very cool to be,’ he speaks about his impression of the Gambian environment.
He said he loves Gambian music and the pace with the music industry is growing in the country.
‘I didn’t have a chance to collaborate with Gambian musicians. I want to collaborate with other musicians and recognise our talents. I would take it seriously,’ he said.
‘I am writing new songs and people are gonna love it. I just need someone to work with,’ he said.
Chijioke does soul music as well as Afrobeat. In 2020, he recorded a solo in Nigerian track and then released a 7-track album titled ‘The Story of Chijioke’.
He later released an EP of tracks titled under ‘The Mango Tree’ and he later realised ‘Slow’ in 2024. All these songs can be found on audiomack.
Chijioke was born on September 17, 1990, in western Nigeria. He was inspired to become a musician by Nigerian Fela and others. However, his journey into the field of music started in his father’s car when he was listening to Chief Oliva.
He can remember the picture of his father with a microphone singing and entertaining his friends. He used to accompany his father on those occasions.
However, he started singing at the age of 13, entertaining a group of fellows at school during break-time.
Meanwhile, his father did not want him to sing but he continued to be involved in music.
‘I think my singing reminds him of the journey he did not take,’ he said.
