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Africa's 18 richest men - The African Billionaires club

Over the past 14 months our researchers and journalists contacted dozens of officials, went through countless documents, and publsihed articles to try to narrow down a list of African Billionaires. Likewise, the hardwork has finally paid of with a solid list of 18 African Billionaires with a total networth of over US$50 Billion Dollars. The networths published in this article come from tangible assets which can be easily identified such as property, equity, metal holdings, and corporate bonds (all were converted to the US Dollar). However, our networth totals do not include bank accounts since they are virtually impossible to find and research.

Over the past 14 months our researchers and journalists contacted dozens of officials, went through countless documents, and publsihed articles to try to narrow down a list of African Billionaires. Likewise, the hardwork has finally paid of with a solid list of 18 African Billionaires with a total networth of over US$50 Billion Dollars. The networths published in this article come from tangible assets which can be easily identified such as property, equity, metal holdings, and corporate bonds (all were converted to the US Dollar). However, our networth totals do not include bank accounts since they are virtually impossible to find and research.

Calculating the Wealth
A number of billionaires are richer in real dollar terms due to the declining US Dollar. John Bredenkamp the only Zimbabwean billionaire on the listour was one of the hardest to calculate due to the nature of the Zimbabwean economy. We mostly based our calculations on previous reports and what experts in Zimbabwe believe to be the value of his properties in Zimbabwe/United Kingdom and business dealings with the government of Zimbabwe. When it comes to the two politicians on the list, current Head of State for Gabon Omar Bongo and former Military Ruler of Nigeria Ibrahim Babangida, the calculations mostly came from various published articles and data available on their regimes. Furthermore, we calculated their networths by valueing their property interests and company profits which are owned by them and family members(mostly to cover the Head of State). Although from what we gathered these two are worth more than what we calculated, but have a employed the most sophisticated financial corporations and accountants to hide away their money. The easiest networths to calculate came from individuals from Eygpt and South Africa. Easy access to financial records and a simple property market made it easy to estimate the worth of the billionaires from these two countries. Many, of the billionaires seemed pretty open about their wealth but declined to be mentioned in the article, one billionaire even telephoned us back and expressed his prospects for the future to be included in the top 10 of the richest people in the world.

Most Potential for New Billionaires Next Year
Lastly, the Republic of South Africa seems to be the one country destined to have many more billionaires appearing on the list in the upcoming years due to its BEE (Black Empowerment Campaign) and its policies aimed to improve the economy. The only thing which disappointed our researches and reporters was the lack of a women billionare, a variety of honorable mentions come up when we where resarching the list, with Elisabeth Bradley being the richest woman on the continent with a estimated networth of US$225 Million. However, we are already digging into the secretive world of African wealth to bring a list of the wealthiest women in Africa in the upcoming months.  Enjoy the list.

THE RICH LIST

1) Naguib Sawiris
US$10 Billion Egypt Orascom Holdings/Inherited

2) Mohammed Al Amoudi
US$7.2 Billion Ethiopia Investments/Self Made

3) Nicky Oppenheimer
US$5 Billion South Africa Mining/Inherited

4) Onsi Sawiris
US$5 Billion Egypt Orascom Holdings/ Self Made

5) Aliko Dangote
US$4.2 Billion Nigeria Cement and Diversified Industries/Inherited

6) Lakshmi Mittal
US$4,030 Billion South Africa Mining/Self Made

7) Nassef Sawiris
US$ 3.9 Billion Egypt Orascom Holdings/Inherited

8) Rupert Family
US$3 Billion South Africa Luxury Industry/Inherited

9) Mo Ibrahaim
US$2.5 Billion Sudan Telecom/Investments/Self Made

10) Patrice Motsepe
US$2.2 Billion South Africa Investments/Self Made

11) Donald Gordan
US$1.6 Billion South Africa Insurance/Investments

12) Samih Sawiris
US$1.6 Billion Egypt Orascom Holdings/Inherited

13) Omar Bongo and Family
US$1.5 Billion Gabon Investments/Head of State

14) Mike Adenuga
US$1.2 Billion Nigeria Telecom/Investments/Self Made

15) Rembrandt Trust
US$1.2 Billion

16) Manu Chandaria
US$1 Billion Kenya Diversified Group/Self Made

17) John Bredenkamp
US$1 Billion Zimbabwe Investments/Tobacco/Self Made

18) Ibrahim Babangida
US$1 Billion Investments/Former Head of State

Nigeria's Most Influential Pastors



Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, the General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, was born on March 2, 1942 to a poor family in the village of Ifewara in present Osun State. He attended primary and secondary school barefooted and his education was almost truncated due to lack of funds. However, he prevailed and graduated from The University of Lagos in 1967, at the age of 25 with a B.Sc in Mathematics. He added an M.Sc in Hydrodynamics and a PhD in Applied Mathematics between 1967 and 1975. He was a teacher of mathematics at Okeigbo Grammar School, Okeigbo and the Lagos Anglican Girls Grammar School, Surulere – Lagos. He also lectured at the University of Lagos and briefly at the University of Ilorin before his call to serve God.

He was married in 1968 to Pastor (Mrs.) Folu Adeboye, the founder of Africa Missions, who labours tirelessly by her husband’s side. The young couple was faced with the problem of recurrent caesarean section by which they had given birth to their first two babies. The medical diagnosis was that birth by natural means was impossible because of the formation of her pelvic bones and the couple was advised against having more babies.

The couple searched high and low for a solution to this problem and it was part of this solution- seeking search that led them to the Redeemed Christian Church of God in 1973, headed by the General Superindent (GS), Pastor Josiah Oluwafemi Akindayomi. Pastor Adeboye gave his life to Christ on 29th July, 1973 and was baptised by immersion in water in the same year. He was a dedicated worker of the church propagating the Gospel through his personal life and evangelism. He was ordained as a pastor in 1975 and was the English language interpreter to the GS whose sermons were in Yoruba language.

He experienced his first major miracle in 1978 when his wife, who had been told to stop bearing children, became pregnant again and gave birth to a baby boy by natural means at the church’s maternity centre in Ebutte-Metta, Lagos. The boy was named OLUWADAMILARE meaning: the Lord has justified or vindicated me. The second miracle baby followed in 1982 also through natural delivery, and was named OLUWAGBEMILEKE meaning: God has lifted me high, a final confirmation to the couple that with God nothing shall be impossible.

Reverend Akindayomi who founded the church in 1952 passed away on 2nd November, 1980. The revelation had come to Pa Akindayomi in the early 70`s before his death that his successor would be “a young educated man.” This was a rarity because educated young men, especially university graduates, considered the Pentecostal churches too fanatical for their own liberal ways. Pastor Adeboye himself had some revelation concerning his appointment five years before he became the General Overseer. The appointment of Pastor Adeboye as successor to Pa Akindayomi was a source of great controversy but his appointment was formalised by the reading of the late Reverend Akindayomi`s sealed pronouncement after his burial.

The Redeemed Christian Church of God is one of the fastest growing churches in Nigeria with more than 5,000 branches established in 80 nations including Ghana, Uganda, Zambia, South Africa, England Germany, France, Asia, India, Thailand, Philippines and the USA. The church’s mission statement, of having a church within five minutes walking distance in every city and town of developing countries and five minutes driving distance in every city or town of developed countries, may soon become a reality with their current growth rate and expansion. This increase in awareness of the church and explosion in membership and attendance was due to the introduction of the Model Parishes, Christ the Redeemer School Movement (CRS), The Holy Ghost Services and the Holy Ghost Festivals.
The first step Pastor E.A. Adeboye took in 1988 towards the expansion of the church was to create what he called “Model Parishes”. Each parish was to encourage the young, educated, the unchurched, young executives, all and sundry, to feel free to come to church “just as they were”, and in their neighbourhoods. The first “Model Parish” was established in the high-brow area of Ikeja of Lagos state, Nigeria and it grew very rapidly. This led to the establishment of more model parishes and the rest is history.

Christ the Redeemer School Movement (CRSM) is a pet project of Pastor (Mrs.) Folu Adeboye with the vision of “catching them young” for God. This was because she realised that demonic activities like gangsterism, occult practices and prostitution often start in the schools. The movement’s operations include the running of schools of which they have established more than 50 educational institutions all over Nigeria and close to 40 all over Africa and the world with schools in New York, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Lusaka and South Africa. The mission statement of CRSM includes providing a framework of righteousness, creating an atmosphere for the receptivity to the Gospel and teaching and developing prayer and Bible reading habits.

The Holy Ghost Services started at the Headquarters Parish of the RCCG at Ebutte-Metta in 1986. Pastor Adeboye`s birthday was approaching, God asked him, “what do you want for your birthday?” he replied, “I want miracles for all my spiritual children.” God then asked him to call them together and He did spectacular things in the lives of those gathered for the seven-day program. Every month, attendance at the event grew until they had to shift the service to the Redemption Camp along Lagos-Ibadan expressway, holding on the first Friday of every month. The Special Holy Ghost Service recorded great attendance and this development brought it to a new level. A lot of people thought it unrealistic when Daddy G.O (as he is fondly called by his followers) announced his vision for a night of praise, worship and prayer, with more than four million people from diverse nations gathered in one location. This came to pass on Friday, December 18, 1998. There were miracle, signs, and the glory of God covered the whole place. Thus began the annual December Holy Ghost Festival, now called The Holy Ghost Congress.


Pastor William Folurunsho Kumuyi, the founder and General Superindent of the Deeper Life Ministry, was born on June 6, 1941. He was raised in an Anglican home in Erin Ijesha (a town in Osun State in the South Western part of Nigeria). He completed his secondary school education at Mayflower School in 1961 and started teaching mathematics in the same school in 1962 and got born again in the year 1964 after being introduced to the Apostolic Faith. He graduated from the University of Ibadan with a first class degree in Mathematics in 1967 (the same year he lost his father). He obtained a Postgraduate Certificate of Education from the University of Lagos in 1973 after a five-year teaching job at the Mayflower school. He was retained as a lecturer at the University of Lagos in 1973. He is happily married to Sister Biodun Kumuyi, who is the head of the Women’s Ministry and the Editor-in Chief of the church’s magazine; Christian Women’s Mirror. Their marriage is blessed with two boys studying in New York.

Pastor W.F. Kumuyi got born again in April 1964 while teaching at Mayflower where he was introduced to the Apostolic Faith. He started a Bible study group while lecturing in the University of Lagos in 1973 with a small group of 15 students who had come to him requesting training in the Scriptures. By 1983, when the Deeper Life Bible Church was formally established, this small group had grown to several thousands. The Deeper Life now has multiple branches in 40 African countries including; Philippines, Malta, Russia, Romania, Ukraine, Holland, Hong Kong, Germany, India, Austria, Italy, India, France, Jamaica, UK, USA, Canada and Brazil. It is among the largest church in the world with over a million members all over the world.

The Deeper Life Bible Church has grown to more than 120,000 members from just 50,000 in 1988, making it the third largest Christian church in the world. Dr John Combrinck reports that the Deeper Life Bible Church not only has an attendance of 120,000 every Sunday, but has planted 500 churches in Lagos, 5,000 in the rest of Nigeria (with an independent estimate of more than 800,000 members in Nigeria alone), and 3,000 elsewhere (with missionaries to 40 countries of Africa) as the church’s missionary contribution. (Source: AFNET)

Pastor Kumuyi is a clear-thinking and humble Christian. He has devoted his time to reading and studying the Bible. His in-depth understanding of the teachings and principles of the Bible is evident in his preaching. Pastor Kumuyi’s messages are clear, simple and profound, delivered in simple English that is easily understood by petty traders, students and professors alike.

The Deeper Life Bible Church is a stickler for Biblical truths and practising what they preach. They believe in prayers and the proclamation of the Gospel, with the members taking Christian living and holiness seriously. The emphasis of the church is in evangelism, with Kumuyi stressing that the District Coordinators and Zonal leaders spend half their time on evangelism and half on their members.

Journalist Alan Isaacson provides a helpful study on the Deeper Life Bible Church in his book “Deeper life”. The book deals extensively with the church, chronicling the inception, origin, doctrine and practices. According to Isaacson, the history of Deeper Life is very much the personal story of W. F. Kumuyi. In Isaacson’s own words, he “preached Deeper Life into existence.” Isaacson classified Pastor Kumuyi as one of the greatest living preachers, giving a straightforward Bible-based message, his sermons thorough, and always personally challenging. He always gave a wide range of cross-references which were read in their context, supporting, clarifying and expanding his main points. He spoke clearly and authoritatively to the Nigeria situation. He dealt sensitively with African culture, but also made a firm stand in highlighting the main points where local culture was incompatible with the will of God. While stressing the high moral tone which is one of the virtues of most African cultures at their best, he was at pains to specify those aspects of local culture which were unchristian and even evil. In this way he was not only concerned with some kind of personal holiness, but also genuinely seeking the wholeness and harmony of the community at large, where truth, honesty, and justice should be predominant characteristics.

The Deeper Life Bible Church is the flagship organisation of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry with headquarters at Gbagada. The Ministry has many different organisations including the International Bible Training Centre, Life Press Ltd, Life Tapes Ltd, Life Farms, Women’s Mirror Ltd and the Deeper Life Schools Network. Although Pastor Kumuyi is the General Superindent of the Ministry he does not draw any salary from his work instead the church gives him an allowance for his upkeep. The modest house he dwells in located in the compounds of the International Bible Training Centre, Ayobo, and his car is owned by the church as a collective. He strives as much as possible to follow the life and ministry of Jesus Christ and this is what endears him to his millions of followers.


Pastor Mrs. Bimbo Odukoya (R.I.P) was best known as a woman televangelist with her TV program Single & Married. Her emphasis was on practical issues people face in relationships and marriages generally guided with biblical principles. She was a prolific writer, televangelist, conference speaker, youth mentor and marriage counselor. She was married to Pastor Taiwo Odukoya the founding pastor of the Fountain of Life Church and they had three children (two girls and a boy).

Pastor Bimbo Rosemary Odukoya (nee Williams) (September 12, 1960- December 10, 2005) had her primary school education at Holy Child nursery & primary Catholic School and attended Federal Government College, Ijanikin, Lagos and it was while in school that she started attending Scripture Union fellowships and gave her life to Christ in 1978. She studied History and Archaeology at the University of Ibadan where she met Taiwo Odukoya, who was later to become her husband and got deeply involved in evangelism. She worked at the National Theatre, Lagos, Nigeria before becoming a full-time minister. She served as the Head of the counseling department in the Household of God Church owned by Pastor Kris Okotie from 1987 to 1999. In 1992 she was ordained a pastor by Bishop Mike Okonkwo of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, TREM. It was after this she decided to devote more time and attention to the “Singles and Married ministry”.

She was a talented and prolific writer with regular columns in several national and international newspapers and magazines, including City people, ThisDay and leadership and Lifestyle (UK).She is also a seasoned writer having written four books; The Single Life, Real People, Real Issues, Wise Counsel (2006), Living Free, Overcoming Masturbation (2006), Living Free, How to handle rejection (2006), all by Grace Springs Publishers and How to choose a life partner: 165 Questions to Ask by Xulon Press (2005). In this 191 page book, she provides answers to nagging questions spinsters and bachelors often ask about courtship and marriage. She believes that in choosing life partners, people should look out for such qualities a s relationship with God, humility, patience, self control, kindness, integrity, trustworthiness and courteousness. She agreed that looks are important but stressed that it should be secondary. She also identified personality types to avoid as those who are overtly possessive or jealous, continually dissatisfied, temperamental, meticulous, flirty and persons with arrogance or pride.

Pastor Bimbo Odukoya was a charismatic leader with an exemplary conduct which made her a role model to millions of girls. She was the recipient of many awards locally and internationally and held an honorary Doctorate degree in Philanthropic Management from the United Christian University, Denton, North Carolina, USA. She also has a Doctor of philosophy degree in Public Administration from the Evangel Christian University Monroe, Louisiana, USA (Africa campus) and an honorary Professional Doctorate Fellowship award from the Chartered Institute of Corporate Management. She was an honorary appointee on the Professional Women’s Advisory Board of the American Biographical Institute.

She was the recipient of a bevy of awards from all over the world including these:- The Midas Touch Award, 1995.
- Christian Missionary Fund Award in recognition of her service in the ministry.
- Ivory Tower Patron for life Award, 1998
- TREM (The Redeemed Evangelical Mission) Award 1998 in recognition of her faithfulness, and commitment, dedication and continuation in the ministry.
- The Nigerian Woman of the Year Award in the category of Role Model and Inspiration.
- The Woman Of Distinction Award 1999 presented by The Women of Courage (Christ Church)in recognition of her immense contribution to the upliftment of women in the society.
- The Nigerian Women Award 2000 presented in recognition of her contributions to the Nigerian society.
- The Outstanding Young Persons of Nigeria Award 2000 presented by the Junior Chambers International, in recognition of her exemplary Moral and Environmental Leadership.
- Merit Award for Women in Ministry 2000 presented by Ladies Christian Fellowship International in acknowledgment of her fruitful stewardship in the Lord’s vineyard and contribution to Kingdom development.
- Merit Award presented to Pastor Bimbo Odukoya (Single & Married) by NTA 2 Channel 5 as the Best Independent producer in the year 2001.
- The Distinguished West African Leadership Gold Award 2001 in recognition of her distinguished leadership role in Nigeria
- The Woman of Merit Gold Award 2001 presented by People, State and Resources Magazine.
- The Female Achiever Award in the Religion sector 2001 presented by The City People Group.
- Distinguished Alumni Award 2001 presented by The Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Ibadan for her outstanding achievement in religion.
- The Christian Support Award in honor of her Contributions to the Christian ministry, 2002.
- The University of Ibadan Christian Students Award 2002 presented in appreciation of her enormous impact on their lives.
- Leadership Award 2002 presented by the Archaeology and Anthropology Students Association of the University of Ibadan in recognition of her distinguished leadership role in Nigeria.
- The Amazon Award 2002 presented in recognition of her outstanding contributions to nation building and outstanding achievements. - ‘Deborah’ Leadership Award, 2002 presented by the Singles Fellowship of The Fountain of Life Church in recognition of her motherly love, mentorship and encouragement to singles all over the world.
- The Revolution Award 2002 for Compassion and Commitment
- West African Distinguished Leadership Award 2002 presented by Intra-continental media networks in recognition of her immeasurable contributions to the economic development of her country, Nigeria and the West African sub-region.
- The Emotan Award 2002 presented by African Independent Television (AIT) in celebration of feminine virtues.
- Good Ambassador Of Family Award 2003 presented by Family Life Organisation in recognition of Single and Married programme, which is helping to restore family values.
- Great Africa Merit Award 2003 presented by Complete Success magazine in recognition of her contribution to the development of Nigeria. - Pastor. Kwame Nkrumah Outstanding Merit Award 2003 presented by West African International magazine in recognition of her contributions and achievements in her field of endeavor.
- Prime International Achievers Gold Award 2003 for distinguished private individuals and Chief Executives of Corporate organizations presented by Prime International Communications Ltd.
- Amazons Outstanding Achievement Award 2003 in recognition of her exemplary contributions to nation building in Christian Ministry and marital relationships and for being an agent of change.
- Paragon of Sexual Purity Award 2003 presented by Paragons of Virtue International.
- African Best Woman Patriotic Leadership Gold Award 2003 presented by African Gold International Communications in recognition of her humanitarian and pastoral activities and immeasurable contribution to the economic and social development of her country Nigeria and the African vision.
- African Role Model Leadership Gold Award For Excellence 2003 presented by Africa International News magazine in recognition of her selfless service to humanity through her enviable leadership style in Africa.
- Award of Honor 2003 by the Youth Forum Ministries of All Souls Church Bodija, Ibadan in recognition of positive impact on the lives of youths in this generation.
- Role Model Gold Award 2004 presented by Today’s People International in recognition of her sterling achievement in her chosen career and immense contribution to the socio-economic development of her motherland.
- Association Of Missionary Evangelists 0f Nations Award 2004 for her outstanding achievements in Ministry
- FMFI South African Award 2004 for youth empowerment
- West African Patriotic Award 2004 in recognition of her sheer leadership role, selfless service to humanity and her immense contribution to Nigeria, West Africa sub-region and African Continent.
- The Most Visible Home Builder Award 2004 presented in due recognition of her outstanding effort and contribution to the development of marital counseling by the Department Of Guidance and Counseling, University Of Ibadan.
- Fellow of the Command Award 2004 (FCFN.Hons) by Chaplain Fellowship of Nigeria incorporated in recognition of her outstanding contribution to humanity and in expectation of her continued benevolence.
- Role Model Award 2004 presented by Women of dignity.
- Distinguished leadership In National Development Gold Award 2004 presented by Corporate & Media Africa Communications in recognition of her contribution to the Socio-Economic development of Nigeria.
- Society Role Model and Achievers Gold Award 2004 presented by African Women Development Centre for her outstanding accomplishments, achievement, performance, good governance and community development
- Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International (Ladies of the Fellowship, Abuja) Award 2004 in recognition of her contribution towards the growth of the fellowship.
- Excellent Leadership Award 2004 presented by The Chartered Institute Of Corporate Management in recognition of her managerial capability leadership style, quality and contributions to socio-economical development and growth in the country.
- Achievers Award for Youth Motivator of the Year 2004 presented by the Youth Fellowship of First Baptist Church, Festac Town.
- Gold Award for West African patriotic leadership in business/politics 2004 by Global Vision Communications in recognition of her immeasurable contribution to stability, social, economic and political development of Nigeria and West Africa.
- Patriotic Achiever’s Award 2004 by Franolly Incorporated in recognition of her consistent loyalty and patriotism to our great country Nigeria.
- FAME Pastoral Honor 2004 presented in recognition of her contributions to evangelism.
- Dayspring Excellence/Vision Award 2005 as a distinguished motivator and role model presented by Dayspring Ministries.
- Ogun State Female Achievers “Pillar of Hope 2004” Award presented by Fame weekly magazine.
- Gold Award 2004 by the council of Fellows Institute of Business Administration and Management Science in recognition of her highly and excellently effective professional managerial capabilities and executive charisma in the administration and management of corporate resources.
- African Hero Award 2005 in recognition of her humanitarian activities and immeasurable contribution to the economical and social development of her country, Nigeria, other African countries and winning souls for God.
- Women Achievers Award 2005 presented by the Christian Association of Nigeria (Lagos State Chapter).
- Greensprings School Lagos Award presented to Pastor Bimbo Odukoya in recognition of her outstanding support to the Greensprings School Community by The Parents-Teachers Association 2005.
- Meritorious Diamond Award for National Development 2005 presented by Corporate and Media Africa Communications in recognition of her contributions to the socio-economic development of Nigeria through her field of endeavor.
- Award of Excellent Corporate Directorship 2005 presented by the Certified Directors Institute in recognition of her outstanding performance in management and administration.
- Expert in Youth Development Award 2005 presented by the International Biographical College (a subsidiary of Levites Christian University).
- Honorary Diplomat of AGGSODEV in Africa 2005 presented by the Agency for Good Governance & Social Development.
- African Virtuous and Entrepreneurial Women Merit Award 2005 presented by African Biographical Network in recognition of her achievements and contribution to nation building, leadership development and selfless service to humanity in Africa and the world.
- Brigadier General Award 2005 presented by The Chaplains Fellowship of Nigeria Inc.
Post humors awards received by Pastor Bimbo Odukoya include:
- Fame Achievers Post Humors Award presented by Fame weekly magazine for the sustenance of marriage in the Nigerian society. - Post Humors Award presented by Colostrum International, NGO on a breastfeeding project, in recognition of the passion that shaped her vision to model the universal family as a unit of nations. - Woman of the year 2005 Post Humors Award presented by the Christian organisation for Renewal and Development in recognition of her foremost youth renewal counseling and as a role model for excellence in public life in Nigeria. - Post Humors Award for Excellence presented by Treasure Vault Integrated Services Nigeria Ltd in recognition and appreciation of her commitment to the inculcation of godly virtues in youths and the social development of the family institution through the Single & Married programme. - Purple Lifetime Heroine Award presented by the Purple Ball Award.

Pastor (Mrs.) Bimbo Odukoya lost her life in the fatal Sosoliso Airlines flight 1145 crash of 2005 that claimed 107 lives. The Sosoliso plane crashed on Saturday, December 10, 2005 at Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, Rivers State.


Reverend Matthew Ashimolowo has been the Senior Pastor of Kingsway International Christian Centre for over 15 years. He has a dynamic gifting to combine his calling as a pastor and teacher, with the roles of mentor, business man and spiritual father. Pastor Matthew has given countless people the spiritual and practical foundation on which to build their lives during more than 30 years in the ministry. He is a man of many talents with his broadcast ministry, Winning Ways, being viewed by millions of people in Europe, Africa, Asia, the USA and the Emirates. He is also a prolific writer of more than 60 books, including the award winning ‘Tongues of Fire’. His influence on church growth and evangelism has guaranteed countless requests for his comments by the media. As a respected leader, he sits on the Board of Reference for God TV and is considered a Christian media commentator, and a Biblical scholar.

Pastor Ashimolowo was born on 17 March, 1952 to a Muslim family and he is married to Pastor Yemisi Ashimolowo who is the resident pastor of KICC Waterden road London. They are blessed with two boys Tobi and Tomi.

His ministry is growing by leaps and bounds; his church (KICC) is unarguably the fastest growing church the UK and even Europe. He is shepherding KICC towards its dream of 25,000 members by 2010, with plans to build a 10,000-seater Arena in East London on the LDA Beam Reach site. His Winning Ways program is aired all over the world to a potential audience of 200 million, he also has a radio program aired on Premier radio with special focus on pastors and leaders. The monthly Success and Prayer seminars run by Pastor Ashimolowo draws thousands from all parts of London. He is also the host of the highly acclaimed annual conference tagged “International Conference of Champions”, and runs a bimonthly forum for church heads called ‘Ministers Together’. The former disciple of the late Benson Idahosa, Reverend Matthew Ashimolowo`s KICC has five UK branches and 16 Sunday chapels across London and the South East and many more all over the world.

Financial irregularities The charity behind Kingsway International Christian Centre (The King's Ministries Trust) was investigated by the Charity Commission of England and Wales between 2002 and 2005. A report of the inquiry was released in October 2005. This inquiry concluded that there had been serious misconduct and mismanagement in the administration of the charity. At an early stage in the investigation, it was considered that the charity's assets were at risk, and control was removed from the existing trustees and placed in the hands of an independent external company (the accountancy and management consultancy practice KPMG), who regularized the charity's affairs. It was found that Matthew Ashimolowo acted as both a trustee and a paid employee of the charity, which is against UK charity law, and was responsible for approving payments and benefits to himself and his wife, Yemisi. There is no information in the public domain to indicate whether these acts were committed deliberately or out of negligence.


Paul Adefarasin is the founder and Senior Pastor of the fast growing HOUSE ON THE ROCK, Lagos - a multi-racial, multi-tribal and multi-faceted church with 35 branches and several ministries in Europe and Africa. He is also the President of the ROCK FOUNDATION, a ministry committed to restoring hope and healing the hurting in our generation. In great demand globally as a conference speaker, Paul Adefarasin's message of hope, restoration and true worship cuts across a wide spectrum of human need catapulting his listeners into their God ordained destiny.

His television programme 'SOMETHING IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN' is a favorite in Nigeria and London and reaches into millions of homes. He is happily married to Ifeanyi and together they have two lovely children, Hilda Adebola and Alvin Adegboyega.

Born with a silver spoon, Adefarasin squandered his life away on drugs in the United States until he saw the light in 1994. From the living room of his mother in Lagos , he set up a church that blossomed over the last seven years to 7,000 worshippers at its present headquarters. This is in addition to 36 other branches both within and outside the country. Eloquent and charismatic, Aderafasin is one of the favourite televangelists. Through his "Something Is About to Happen" television programme, he has been able to touch the lives of many weary souls in many ways. Many find his turn-around from his previous drug addicted lifestyle as a great challenge in their own lives.

Today, Adefarasin is putting up a N1.3 billion " Rock Millennium Temple " that would accommodate thousands of worshippers. Quite a trendy pastor!


Pastor Chris Okotie, founder of Household of God, Oregun, Lagos , is another firebrand preacher that often sends his audience into ecstasies. He is also known for televangelism but with bias for preaching the end times which he titles The Apocalypses. In his messages, Okotie reveals a knowledge of the book of revelations beyond the ordinary. Fondly called "Grace teacher" by the multitude of his followers, Okotie’s teaching tend to evoke reactions more than edifying his listeners. His latest book, The Last Outcast, which he claims are revelations from God attest to his controversial teachings. The book has raised a palpable degree of dust among Christians because of its spiritual explanations on cloning, polygamy, the church, the anti-Christ, the virgin birth of Jesus Christ and more.

His life appears to have been built in compartments – all with a price – the price of fame. Undoubtedly, he has a likeable aura and raffish looks. He has a gift of presence and eloquence. These traits serve him well and have become added assets to his present calling. That seems to be why he has been through so many things before now. Even now, his name has become something of a lightening rod in the air, something that evokes different images – positive and negative in almost equal measure.
Rev. Chris Okotie, Senior Pastor of the Household of God Church is one name that can inspire and at the same time ruffle few feathers.

It’s all part of his life, a life lead in different measures. As an undergraduate, at University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Kris (now Chris) said he sold buttons and colourful mufflers in the coal city market of Ogbete as a survival strategy. He claims also he had been in wholesale trade in Hausa special tea. That perhaps was one of the reasons he was recently appointed patron of late Mallam Aminu Kano International Foundation. His involvement in pop music with a debut album: I need someone made him a popular personality and for women, Okotie became something of bees to honey. None of these pastimes of his put our personage into any serious controversy. But this one-politics has.

The very moment he steps out of the bully pulpit of the clergy world, into the slippery pole of politics, expect a tempest. That exactly is what Rev. Okotie caused in 2003, when he declared he had divine inspiration of "The Lord spoke to me that I will be President." It was a vision he said he saw way back in 1999. That divine inspiration failed him or the system, failed him, when he contested for the presidency on the platform of the Justice Party (JP) in the last general election.

Ever since then, he never quite believed he lost the contest. He believes he was a victim of a fraudulent electoral process. His ideas about politics are congenial to his faith and dreamed up in his vision which only him can tell. It continues to propel him to launch a fresh campaign for the most coveted political office in the land. It’s through Nigeria F.R.E.S.H – the platform upon which he articulates his philosophy for governance.

Everyone who has cared to listen to Rev. Okotie says he comes across as a faith portrait of where Nigeria should have been, and the kind of man Nigerians should have had, as their President. Many will certainly disagree with him.

But, Rev. Okotie insists his interest in the well-being of people who are marginalised is a driving force. This is opposed to that of God. That, he will tell you, "is why every institution of oppression in the world has to be dismantled by divine instrumentality!" Nigerians, he adds, "have cried to God and have asked for His intervention. He sees himself as the person who has received God’s support to rescue Nigerians and Nigeria. "That’s the difference between me and other politicians," they have the strength of men, (but) I have the strength of Almighty God." He therefore sees himself as the solution to most problems – poverty, corruption, budget irresponsibility, and above all, the leadership crisis.

But politics doesn’t lend itself to such simple theorising, as Rev. Okotie thinks. However, he believes like President W. Bush has done to great advantage, using faith to build his ambition. That is America.

This is Nigeria, the country and citizens Rev. Okotie hungers to become their President. That’s the difference. That’s his main problem. How many share in his faith? Even within his own Pentecostal circle, Rev. Okotie recently caused a big tempest in Enugu where the Alliance for Democracy (AD) decried what it alleged was a plot by Rev. Okotie to use the church as a platform for the realisation of his presidential ambition.

Indeed, Okotie was in Enugu last weekend for the biannual conference of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), South East zone. There, he saw the opportunity to visit some Pentecostal Churches and canvass support for his ambition in 2007. Chieftains of AD in the zone were furious by what they called "unethical and ungodly" act of Okotie. They said the man of God turned the church pulpit into a political campaign. He must stop, they maintained, and urged him to separate politics from religion.

National Vice-Chairman of AD in the zone, Okechukwu Obiora went a step further to say that the behaviour of Rev. Okotie amounted to a "desecration" of the House of God." He said it was wrong for politicians to use the altar to canvass for votes. Listen to Obiora: "I am here to say that it is very unethical for church leaders to take a presidential aspirant to churches and introduce him to our congregation, as our presidential candidate for 2007. It is very wrong."
He alleged Rev. Okotie was brought to the church where he worships last Sunday by the State Chairman of PFN. "They interrupted church service for him (Okotie) to deliver his sermon," Obiora fumed.

As a matter of fact, Rev. Okotie has gone to great lengths to letting his ambition and mission in politics be known. He had, a week earlier, told PFN leadership in South East that he would be visiting to talk to members of the Pentecostal community in the zone. And everywhere he has gone, he seizes the chance. He has the gift for expressing it in a stately, lilting language that could appeal, simultaneously, to born agains and other secular boomers currently searching for a lost sense of uplift in their lives.

For Rev. Okotie, his ambition to become an elected President is an extension of delivering the Good News. And his abiding faith in this project, he tells people, is an equivalent of the Biblical injunction that there’s no mountain too great to climb once there is faith.

How far this will carry him remains to be seen. It is not something to be given on a granular debate based on theology where he excels. If he fails a second time, there will be plenty of reasons to give, but his critics will assail him of being blinded by his beliefs to the complexities of Nigerian politics.

Few doubt that Rev. Okotie is sincere in his faith, a worthy virtue for anyone who seeks to lead. But many insist he should face the reality of his ambition in the spirit of Oliver Cromwell: "I beseech you, in the bowels of Christ, think it possible you may be mistaken."


Pastor, teacher, television host, best-selling author, healing minister Chris Oyakhilome, popularly known as Pastor Chris has a heartfelt, undying passion borne of a divine commission to reach the peoples of the world with the divine Presence of Jesus Christ. This commisssion he fulfils through a thriving multifaceted ministry, targeted at reaching people all over the world with the liberating truths of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

He is married to Pastor Anita, an anointed minister of God, whose passion for the gospel of Christ, coupled with several years of experience in ministry, has resulted in worldwide expansion of Believers' LoveWorld. Rev. Anita is the Director of the Christ Embassy International Office and also pastors Christ Embassy Churches in the United Kingdom.


Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor is the presiding pastor of Word of Life Bible Church, one of the fastest growing churches in Nigeria with over 20,000 members. Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor is also the host of Hour of Deliverance TV ministry and the president of the African Broadcasting Network. He is also the president of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN).

Pastor Ayo lost his father at a tender age and was raised by his mother. He had a significant birth and for the first five years of his life he could not talk, at the age of five he just started talking. He was miraculously saved and delivered during a crusade in 1972 and felt the call of God in his life. This led to his enrolment at New Covenant Bible Institute in Benin City, Nigeria. A protege of late Bishop Ben Idahosa, Pastor Oritsejafor was a drug addict before he gave his life to Christ in 1972.

One of the sorrowful days in the life of this Warri-based pastor was in 1996 when he lost his first wife, Stella. She died of diabetes after twenty years of marriage.

He is married with three children to Pastor Helen Oritsejafor who is an assistant pastor in the church. She is his right hand and helps in the running of the church especially in the finishing of the mega church with the capacity to seat 35,000 that the church is building in Warri. She is the leader of Daughters of Sarah Fellowship with the vision of empowering women spiritually, physically, materially and economically by providing an avenue where women could be taught and equipped for performance both at home and in the society. She is also at the helm of affairs at the Eagle Flight Micro-Finance Bank, with the mission statement of professionally empowering the community and encouraging entrepreneurial development.

Pastor Oritsejafor has ministered in various international and local conferences and seminars. He has also ministered in crusades, preaching the message of salvation, deliverance revival hope and healing to countless thousands across the world. This ministration has taken him to well over 45 countries around the world and he has witnessed the power of God being demonstrated through signs, wonders and miracles.

He is the host of Hour of Deliverance which is an arm of the African Broadcasting Network (ABN) which started in 1980 as a local TV program. The Hour of Deliverance TV program is now being aired in Europe by the God Christian Channel with over 64 million people across Europe and parts of Africa. In furtherance of his ministry, he started an outreach teaching/preaching ministry in 2000 and has conducted Power Encounter conferences in Atlanta (USA), Amsterdam (The Netherlands) and Italy.


The first indication that the Founder and Senior Pastor of Latter Rain Assembly was going to be a great man was in the circumstances surrounding his birth. Pastor Gbolahan Babatunde Bakare was born at about 11:00 hours on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1954 to a Moslem family at Iporo Sodeke in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

His father Late Pa Sanni Adekunle Bakare was a store keeper, a saw miller and eventually a kola nut merchant which made him a wealthy man. Unfortunately, he did not grow up to live with his father and was raised in a polygamous household by his mother Madam Eebudola Bakare. The road to success and wealth for Pastor Bakare was a tortuous one and he had to struggle through school as a young man who had lost his father early in life. He attended Lisabi Grammar School and Zumratul Islamiyya Grammar School. He gained admission into the University of Lagos and got his LL.B (Hons.) degree. He got born again in 1974 at the age of 20 and started his private law firm (El-Shaddai Chambers).
He got married in 1984 to Mrs. Olayide Bakare who has played a prominent role in his life, career and ministry. She has been involved in the work of the ministry and has served beside her husband since 1984. She served first in the capacity as Co-Pastor of The Latter Rain Assembly and she is presently a member of the Board of Trustees of the church. Their marriage is blessed with Five children (two girls and three boys) Oluwabunmi, Oluwafisayo, Oluwasegun, Oluwaseyi and Oluwarotimi.

Pastor Tunde Bakare has gained some publicity with his predictions about the country’s leadership especially for his predictions of doom for the Obasanjo regime. This invariably led to his arrest in March 2002. He had earlier predicted, just after Obasanjo`s election in 1999 that he would not be sworn-in on May 29, 1999 and he also predicted that the country would break up unless a sovereign national conference was constituted. In spite of the prediction, Obasanjo was installed President of Nigeria on May 29, 1999. This drew wide condemnation, especially from traditional rulers. He also asked Obasanjo to forget the 2003 re-election and went further to state that Obasanjo was not Nigerians` Messiah and that the messiah would come from Adamawa State (the home town of both Buba Marwa and the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar).

He also advised the President against inviting traditional rulers on national issues because they were irrelevant in the present affairs of the nation. After successfully serving his second term in the capacity of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo relinquished his authority to the incumbent President Umar Yar`Adua after the 2007 elections.


Dr. Mike Okonkwo was born in Enugu on September 6, 1945 to the family of Pa and Ma Okonkwo of Ogbunike in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State. He started his primary education at Salvation Army Primary School Enugu, but later moved to Ijero Baptist Primary School in Ebute Metta, Lagos.

He however completed his primary education at St. Marks Primary School, Offa in Kwara State. He started his secondary education at Mayflower College, Ikenne and completed it at Merchants of Light Grammar School, Oba Anambra State in 1963. Dr. Mike Okonkwo joined the Nigerian Ports Authority in 1964 where he worked only for 3 months before crossing over to the banking industry with African Continental Bank (ACB) with the mind of making a career in banking. A pioneer member of staff of the Martins street branch, Lagos from 1964 to 1966, Dr. Mike Okonkwo was deployed to the eastern branch of ACB during the civil war, which eventually interrupted his banking career. During the war, he underwent the military training but had no opportunity to practice what he had learnt because the war ended the very night he was deployed to the warfront. After the war, he continued with his banking career at the Ogbete road branch of ACB where he was a pioneer staff.

Dr. Mike Okonkwo had an encounter with Jesus in November 1970 and for the 1st time, he started attending Church services regularly in the United Church of Christ, (UCC) which has her headquarters in Enugu. He was ordained into the ministry in 1971. He took up his first pastoral responsibility in Lagos in November 1972 with UCC. He was released as an Evangelist on the 20th of June 1976 and was instrumental in establishing most branches of the Church in Lagos.

He served faithfully in UCC under the leadership of Late Apostle Samuel Egbo from 1971 to 1980. The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, TREM was founded on the 4th of January, 1981.

In 1980, Dr. Mike Okonkwo received a certificate of license from International Deliverance Churches, Dallas, Texas. In 1981, he graduated with a diploma degree from the Morris Cerullo School of Ministry, San Diego, California, USA. By 1982, he earned diploma with International Bible Institute and Seminary, Orlando, Florida. The same year, he bagged a Bachelor of Bible Theology in the same university. The Covington Theological Seminary, Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, USA, because of his many tears of ministry, gave him a waiver for Masters Degree. He then proceeded with his Doctorate degree program in Divinity which he successfully completed and was conferred with Doctor of Divinity degree with all rights and privileges pertaining thereto. In 1984, the Board of Directors of International Bible Institute, Orlando, Florida, USA, upon recommendation by the Faculty conferred on him a Doctor of Letters Degree. In 1987, the United Christian International Bible Institute, Cleveland, Tennessee, USA awarded him a Doctor of Divinity certificate.

Dr. Mike Okonkwo is a holder of the ordination certificate and the certificate of fellowship of World Ministry Fellowship Shreveport, Louisiana, USA. He is also a holder of ordination certificate from the National Christian Fellowship Conference, (NCFC) USA, the Church of God Mission International Nigeria, United Christian Church & Ministerial Association, USA. Dr. Mike Okonkwo is a holder of Meritorious Achievement Award from the International Affairs Leadership Parliament, by the Golden State University, University of Honolulu, Ephraim Moore University, International Theological Seminary, Spiritual Life Ministries, all in USA and the Trinity College of Ministerial Arts in Nigeria.

Dr. Mike Okonkwo was awarded the prestigious Scenic Center of the South Certificate by the City of Chattanooga, Tennessee USA, in 1989. The Faith Christian Fellowship International Church Incorporated, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA, through his able leadership extended the right hand of fellowship by awarding an Associate Church Certificate to TREM. In 1997, Bishop Mike and Dr. Peace Okonkwo had the honour of having their names inscribed on the Jerusalem 3000 scroll number 6571 and is thus recorded in the history of Jerusalem with a certificate awarded thereby. Dr. Mike Okonkwo was consecrated the Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) on the 7th of May 1988.

On the home front, Dr. Mike Okonkwo is a member of the founding fathers of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), the 1st National Secretary General and the immediate past National President of the PFN. He is the current Vice Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) as well as an executive member of the National Ministers Conference (NMC) which organises conferences for ministers around the country. He also the Founder of The Mike Okonkwo Foundation, an NGO setup to minister to the needs of the less privileged.

He is a preacher and a teacher in great demand around the world for Seminars, Conferences, Crusades, Conventions and ministers’ training. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Arlington Church, Arlington, USA. He is the Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM). He is the Chief Host of the popular Television and Radio network in Nigeria, Power in the Word.

Dr. Mike Okonkwo is a man of integrity and emphasises integrity in the Word of God. This has endeared him to many ministries who look up to him for Apostolic Covering. Though he is quick to correct, he never ceases to encourage them to celebrate where they are and challenge them to rise up to their God given potentials and be all that God intends them to be.
A first encounter with Bishop Mike (as he is fondly called) gives you an impression of a stern disciplinarian, however, on a closer note, you will discover a man easily touched by the feeling of the people and thus has become a man of prayer. In the words of a friend and an associate in ministry, “My first encounter with Bishop Okonkwo was greater than my mind could conceive. How did this man have such power in his life that even as he spoke you would shake under the power of God? Then came the opportunity for him to visit my church and stay in my home, I found the key to his power – PRAYER. Many times as I would rise early to draw aside with the Lord, I would find that someone had preceded me at the throne. That someone? Bishop Mike Okonkwo” Thus he spends hours on his knees praying for the flock over which God has made him the Overseer. His long hours of prayer and fasting have brought forth testimonies that have beaten the imagination of the learned.

He is an easy going man who loves music and sports and goes out of his way to encourage good music in the church, no wonder his church has what has been rightly tagged “the best choir in the whole world”. He also believes in keeping fit as the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and he encourages Pastors to engage in physical exercises in spite of their very busy schedules.

Dr. Mike Okonkwo has authored several books in English, out of which, two have been translated into French. He is a widely travelled man, who has gone far and wide for the spread of the gospel. In spite of his numerous trips outside the shores of Africa, he believes in rural evangelism and encourages smaller churches located in the less privileged communities, financially and materially. He also believes and encourages special talents in individuals who are specially gifted in ministering to the orphan and the disabled, hence he has been a strong support to different ministries to the handicapped, motherless babies home and orphanages. This has earned him several awards.

He is married to Dr. Peace Okonkwo, the Minister in Charge of the Headquarters Church of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) and they are blessed with a daughter, Uche.

Bishop Peace gave her life to Christ in 1974 at the Scripture Union fellowship. A graduate of the Morris cerrullo CShool of Minstry and the Rhema Bible training center,Tulsa, Oklahoma. She was ordained into the full time ministry in August 1982

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MUSIC
BIOGRAPHY

MAIN STREAM NIGERIAN ARTISTS

INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS OF NIGERIAN ORIGIN

 
GENRE *definitions are not finite
TRADITIONAL MUSIC
More than 400 ethnic groups are native to Nigeria, and many more have immigrated there in recent years; the largest ethnic groups are the Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba tribes. Traditional music from Nigeria and throughout Africa is almost always functional; in other words, it is performed to mark a ritual such as a birth, wedding or funeral and not for pure entertainment or artistic enjoyment.

The most common format for music in Nigeria is the call-and-response choir, in which a lead singer and a chorus interchange verses, sometimes accompanied by instruments that either shadow the lead text or repeat and ostinato vocal phrase. The southern area features complex rhythms and solo players using melody instruments, while the north more typically features polyphonic wind ensembles. The extreme north region is associated with monodic (i.e., single-line) music with an emphasis on drums, and tends to be more influenced by Islamic music.

Epic poetry is found in parts of Nigeria, and its performance is always viewed as musical in nature. Blind itinerant performers, sometimes accompanying themselves with a string instrument, are known for reciting long poems of unorthodox Islamic text among the Kanuri and Hausa. These, and other related traditions, may be descended from similar Maghrebian and European traditions. The Ozidi Saga found in the Niger Delta is a well-known epic that takes seven days to perform and utilises a chorus, a narrator, and percussion, mime and dance.
JUJU MUSIC
Juju music surfaced from the lower classes of Nigeria as an alternative to the Highlife style that was played in urban hotels and costly nightclubs. Juju, on the other hand, named after the sound of the talking drum, was Yoruban street music played in working class palm wine bars, villages and at traditional events. Juju came to mean common, unsophisticated music, an exciting fusion of Western pop, Latin American rhythms and traditional African music and praise poetry that incorporates electric guitars and synthesizers with such indigenous instruments as talking drums. Lyrically, juju is rooted in the Yoruba tradition of singing about social and cultural issues through proverbs and parables
AFRO BEAT
Afro beat is a combination of American funk rhythms fused with African percussion and vocal styles. Popularized in Africa in the mid to late 1960s.

Afrobeat's most famous artist was the Nigerian multi-instrumentalist and bandleader Fela Kuti who actually coined the term, constructed the musical structure and shaped the political context of the genre. He launched afrobeat in Lagos in 1968.

Fela is described by popular belief to be the founding father of Afro beat, others rephrase his type of music also as afro jazz.
FUJI
“Fuji” is the reactionary musical cousin to the intensely popular Nigerian juju music. In the mid-1970s Ayinde Barrister dubbed his brand of juju music “fuji garbage,” with its stronger focus on traditional drumming and Islamic-influenced, free-rhythm vocal style. The “garbage” reference is Ayinde’s response to criticism of his music by other juju musicians.

RHYTHM & BLUES

Rhythm and Blues (or R&B) is a musical marketing term introduced in the United States in the late 1940s by Billboard magazine. It replaced the term race music, which was deemed offensive. Today, R&B, no longer an initialism, defines the modern version of the soul and funk influenced African-American pop music that originated with the demise of disco in 1980.
GOSPEL MUSIC
The term “Gospel Music” refers to African-American Protestant vocal music that celebrates Christian doctrine in emotive, often dramatic ways. Vocal soloists are the best-known exponents of gospel, but vocal and choral groups of widely varying sizes have also helped to define the style. In gospel, simple melodies are heavily ornamented by blue notes, glissandi, and a dramatic use of a wide vocal range; and the form conducts an ongoing dialogue of influence with blues, jazz, pop, rap, and folk styles.
HIGHLIFE
Highlife is a musical genre that originated in Ghana and Sierra Leone in the 1920's and spread to other West African countries. It is characterized by jazzy horns and multiple guitars which lead the band. Recently, it has acquired an uptempo, synth-driven sound.
HIP HOP
Hip hop music is a style of popular music. It is composed of two main elements: rapping (also known as MC'ing) and DJing; along with breakdancing and graffiti, these are the four components of hip hop, a cultural movement which began among African Americans and Latinos in New York City in the early 1970s. The term rap is sometimes used synonymously with hip hop music, though it is also used to refer specifically to the practice of rapping, which is just one component of hip hop.
RAGGAE
Reggae is a style of music developed in Jamaica and is closely linked to the Rastafari movement, though not universally popular among Rastafarians. It is founded upon its rhythm style, which is characterized by regular chops on the backbeat, played by the rhythm guitarist and the bass drum often hitting on the third beat of each measure-- this is called the "one drop."
 
 
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