A master guitarist, singer, composer, and producer, Jake Sollo helped shape the sound of modern Nigerian pop, highlife, and disco, becoming one of the most influential figures behind the scenes.
Born Nkem Okonkwo, Jake Sollo rose to fame as a founding member of The Funkees, the legendary Afro-rock band that lit up stages with its blend of funk, rock, and African rhythms.
His guitar work was electric-layered, melodic, and rich with feeling.
After The Funkees disbanded in the mid-1970s, Jake took his genius to London, where his solo career flourished.
His 1979 solo album, “Coming Home”, showcased his signature style: a hypnotic fusion of funk guitar riffs, soulful vocals, highlife horns, and groovy basslines.
But Jake wasn’t just a performer, he was a prolific studio producer and arranger, working with top acts like Onyeka Onwenu, Christy Essien-Igbokwe, Felix Liberty, and the Lijadu Sisters, helping them craft timeless Nigerian hits.
Jake Sollo’s music carried a cosmopolitan vibe that bridged Africa with global funk and disco trends.
His guitar became a signature sound across countless recordings in Nigeria’s golden music era.
Sadly, Jake Sollo died in a car crash in 1985, cutting short a brilliant career. But his fingerprints remain all over the records that defined a generation.
