Akanbi Wright

Akanbi Wright who was also known as Akanbi Ege was a Nigerian musician from Lagos and an important figure in the early history of

talking drums within that music genre.^[1] His music gained popularity in the 1930s, playing with a band that once included another early juju exponent, Julius Araba. Wright's lyrics included political commentary about domestic and national issues, he was a supporter of Herbert Macaulay's NNDP and his last major hit was Demo lo L'eko, a boast about NNDP's widespread support in Lagos.^[2] During the war, he composed songs in support of the British war effort and Nigerian soldiers in Burma, one such song was a popular hit, The Five Nigerian R.A.F^[2]

about five Nigerian trainees enrolled with the Royal Air Force.

Wright grew up in Olowogbowo, then a neighborhood dominated by

Saro residents. He changed his last name from Wright to Ege, to support Nigeria's nationalism struggle.^[2]