The resurgence of old classics can come in different ways – remixing like we have seen with Joromi by Sir Victor Uwaifo, resurgence as a result of a catchy refrain in the track as we saw in 2020 with Obesere’s Egungun be careful, and in recent times, viral dance challenges with Mike Ejeagha’s Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche.

Hailing from Imezi Owa, Ezeagu, a place in Enugu State, Mike Ejeagha is a Nigerian folklorist, Songwriter, and highlife musician who started his career in music at a young age, playing for an ogene group in his hometown. He honed his guitar skills. In 1950, Ejeagha formed his own band, Mike Ejeagha and Merry Makers. He later created a bigger band, Premier Dance Band.

Gentleman Mike Ejeagha was renowned for his exceptional storytelling through highlife music. His lyrics were rich with folktales, proverbs, and idioms, establishing him as a central figure in Igbo folklore and Nigerian highlife history.

Anyone who grew up in the eastern part of Nigeria in the 80s and 90s would be familiar with the phrases "Akụkọ Mike Ejeagha" or "Akụkọ n’egwu."  Akụkọ n’egwu was Mike Ejeagha’s program which aired on Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS), where he thrilled the audience with folktales every week, showcasing the rich oral traditions of the Igbo people.

In 1983, Gentleman Mike Ejeagha released an Igbo highlife song titled "Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche," which loosely translates to "How They Sold the Chairman." This track vividly depicts an Igbo folktale about the cunning tortoise and its clever scheme to marry the king's daughter by tricking the elephant. Ejeagha's song encapsulates the charm and wisdom of traditional Igbo storytelling, set to the lively rhythms and melodies of Igbo highlife music.

A little over four decades later, Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche is the talk of the moment and the catalyst for this resurgence—a viral dance challenge. Nigerian comedian Brain Jotter incorporated the song into one of his skits, and the catchy guitar riff and playful lyrics provided a perfect backdrop for a funny dance routine that is now viral. This skit has generated over 25 million views on TikTok, bringing the classic hit to the spotlight and introducing it to a new generation of listeners.

The dance challenge has ravaged social media platforms, with fans of all ages doing a faceoff, walking towards each other, and doing a series of lighthearted leg movements when the ‘Gwo gwo gwo ngwo’ part comes on.

This newfound love for "Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche” has brought long overdue recognition to Mike Ejeagha’s immense contributions to Igbo & Nigerian music. This resurgence has also propelled his popular tracks like 'Omekagu' and 'Uwa Mgbede Ka Mma' from the Igbo mainstream music scene to the global stage.

This event has shown that Mike Ejeagha’s style of blending traditional Igbo storytelling with lively highlife melodies not only appeals to local audiences but is also capable of gaining international recognition.

Meanwhile, the internet acts as a time portal between generations, connecting old classics with new audiences, and reinforcing its role in the global growth of African music. It plays a crucial role in connecting audiences to the blissful melodies of African and African culture, bringing timeless classics to new audiences.

Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche the story of the Resurgence of a Timeless Classic.

Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche: The Resurgence of a Timeless Classic

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