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William Onyeabor

William Onyeabor was a pioneering Nigerian musician whose work in the 1970s and 1980s has earned him a cult following within the world of electronic music and Afro-funk. Born on March 29, 1946, in Enugu, Nigeria, Onyeabor's music journey is shrouded in a certain mystique, adding to the allure of his vibrant and innovative sound. He produced all his music in his own studio, Wilfilms, and was known for self-releasing his work. A master of synthesisers, Onyeabor's unique brand of music blended traditional African rhythms and instruments with futuristic electronic sounds, prefiguring genres like synth-pop, techno, and house music.

Despite his influential sound and dynamic musical output, William Onyeabor remained an enigmatic figure in music history for many years. His reluctance to discuss his past, including a storied conversion to Christianity and a subsequent disavowal of his musical career, only further contributed to the mythos surrounding him. However, acclaim and recognition came flooding in the 2010s, especially with the release of "World Psychedelic Classics 5: Who Is William Onyeabor?" by David Byrne's record label Luaka Bop, which brought Onyeabor's music to a much larger audience. He enjoyed a resurgence of interest that celebrated his contributions to music, despite him having turned his back on his recording career by this point. William Onyeabor passed away on January 16, 2017, leaving behind a legacy of bold, innovative sounds that continue to inspire and influence artists across the globe.

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