Quick Summary:
Veteran Nigerian singer African China recounts how his politically conscious songs put his life at risk, forcing him to learn martial arts and seek spiritual protection.
Veteran Nigerian singer Chinagorom Onuoha, popularly known as African China, has revealed how his conscious and politically charged music once endangered his life.
Speaking on a recent episode of the Beer Parlor Talk podcast, the Mr President crooner recounted how he had to learn martial arts and engage in voodoo practices to protect himself from constant threats.
“I Was Running From Police, OPC, And Area Boys”
African China explained that his outspoken lyrics, which often criticised social injustice and government misconduct, made him a target of harassment from the police, OPC (Oodua People’s Congress), and Area Boys.
He added that informants often helped him escape attacks, especially during performances where OPC members allegedly tried to harass or arrest him.
Legacy Of Conscious Music
African China rose to prominence in the early 2000s with hit songs such as Mr President and Crisis, which addressed corruption, inequality, and police brutality.
His music became a voice for the oppressed, earning him both admiration and hostility from different quarters.
Despite the challenges, African China remains one of Nigeria’s most influential voices in socially conscious music, inspiring a generation of artists to use their platforms for advocacy and truth.
