In a heartfelt tribute message to the legendary Nigerian musician and electronic funk pioneer William Onyeabor, the family described him as a force of nature.

Onyeabor’s sons, Charles, Emeka and Chika Onyeabor, celebrate what would have been his 79th birthday.

Celebrating their father’s enduring legacy, Onyeabor’s music was said to be eternal. His music was a message and a testament to the limitless possibilities of African creativity.

Best known for hit songs such as “Better Change Your Mind”, “Fantastic Man”, and “Atomic Bomb”, Onyeabor was a trailblazer in Nigerian music, fusing Afro-funk with electronic synthesisers in a style that set him apart.

The statement read, “Our father was more than just a musician; he was a force of nature, a man who saw the future of sound and embraced it long before the world caught on. His music was a message, a movement, and a testament to the limitless possibilities of African creativity,” they said.

“The world may have lost our father, but his music and spirit are eternal. We are committed to ensuring that his legacy lives on, inspiring those who dare to dream differently,” the family’s statement concluded.