Popular Nigerian skit maker and content creator, Brain Jotter, has joined the growing list of mourners paying tribute to the legendary highlife maestro, Mike ‘Gentleman’ Ejeagha, who passed away on Friday night after a prolonged battle with prostate cancer.
The comedy star, known for blending humour with culture, took to his Instagram page on Saturday to express heartfelt sorrow over the music icon’s death. In a touching post, he shared a nostalgic throwback video from his 2024 visit to Ejeagha’s residence in Enugu, where he had met the aging maestro and paid homage to his invaluable contribution to Nigerian music.
The video captured a rare and emotional moment between the two generations of creatives, Brain Jotter, representing the new wave of digital content creators, and Ejeagha, a living archive of Igbo musical folklore. The clip quickly stirred emotions online, especially among fans who participated in last year’s viral “Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo” dance challenge.
“39 years ago, he made magic (Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo song). 39 years later, we danced to it again. Now, he rests, but his melody lives forever. Rest in peace, legend,” Brain Jotter wrote, reflecting on the timeless influence of the late musician.
Originally released in 1983, Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo re-emerged into mainstream consciousness in 2024 when Brain Jotter featured the track in one of his skits, which sparked a spontaneous dance challenge on social media. The trend swept across platforms like wildfire, racking up over 29.1 million views and 30,000 comments on Instagram, and another 19.6 million views on TikTok, reintroducing a whole new generation to Ejeagha’s legacy.
In an inspiring act of gratitude and respect, Brain Jotter visited the highlife icon at his Enugu home in the same year and presented him with a cash gift of ₦2 million, recognizing the value of his contribution to Nigerian music and culture.
Mike Ejeagha, fondly called “Gentleman,” was revered for his ability to transform everyday Igbo proverbs and folk tales into melodious storytelling. His unique style not only entertained but also preserved indigenous wisdom for posterity. Throughout the 1980s and beyond, he remained a staple on Nigerian radio and carved out a distinctive legacy that continues to influence both traditional musicians and modern creators alike.
The announcement of his passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes from fans, fellow artists, and cultural custodians across the nation, who remember him as a national treasure whose voice told the stories of a people.
As Brain Jotter aptly put it, while the legend may have departed this world, “his melody lives forever.”
