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Prince Nico Mbarga (1950-1997) brought a new twist to the highlife scene. Mbarga’s was an irresistible blend of Igbo highlife and Cameroonian Makossa spiced with Congolese guitar picking. Not only did this combination result in a fresh and unique sounding highlife but this sublime ode to mothers was sung in Pidgin English, which was significant in spreading its success across Africa and beyond. Sadly Prince Nico died in a motorcycle accident in 1997.