Nze Dan Orji (1945 – 2015) was a bongo highlife music legend, guitarist, songwriter and lead singer of Peacock International Guitar Band.
Nze Dan Orji who holds the titled “Aku Ji Eshi Obi Ike” 1 of Orji Town (Wealth Gives Confidence) was born on December 5, 1945 into the family of Late Mazi Chima Orji of Aro Village in Orji Autonomous Community, Owerri North LGA of Imo State, Nigeria.
Dan Orji started his music career in 1957, when he founded the ‘Orji Rankers’, a group he later left to form Peacocks International Band in 1970 with Raphael Amarabem. He was standing then as the lead singer of Peacock Band while Raphael Amarabem was the band leader.
In 1972, Peacock Band released their first successful album “Abiriwa” which became a sensation and household song in early 70s. ‘Sambola Mama‘ which was then the hit track took over the 1970’s airwaves across the Oriental metropolis of Owerri and beyond.
In 1975, Nze Dan Orji moved on to form his own group called Skylarks Band and later released many hits such as “Jigi Jigi Kpom Kpom” and “Mama Aliche“, which has been replayed by many upcoming artists across the music industry today.
Danny as he was fondly called was indeed one of the pioneers of the modern day Bongo music. He will forever be remembered wherever and whenever Bongo music is mentioned.
Nze Dan Orji painfully passed away at the early hours of July 31, 2015 in his hometown Orji Uratta Owerri North LGA, Imo State.
He was before his death the founder of Orji Youths Cultural Dance Group which used to train and empower many youths in music career.
Nze Dan Orji was estimated to worth over $20 million.
Download All Dan Orji songs here.
