Nigerian singer and cultural ambassador, Charles Mgba, known by his stage name Bukwild Da Ikwerrian, has made a triumphant return to the music scene with his new EP, Time & Season. This six-track project marks a significant comeback for Bukwild, blending traditional highlife music with his distinct style, encapsulating his storytelling flair and unique sound.
The EP, produced by Flo beats and Caution LXE, showcases Bukwild’s deep passion for music, rooted in his cultural heritage. Known for his resilience and strong connection to his roots, Bukwild has successfully balanced his career as an artist with his responsibilities as a husband, father, and entrepreneur. He shared, “Music has always been something spiritual for me. And my family gives me the peace I need to create.” This sense of peace and family support has been crucial in shaping his artistic journey, allowing him to create music that resonates across different generations and borders.
Bukwild’s return to the spotlight is supported by his team at 36 Media & Management. Despite Lagos being Nigeria’s entertainment hub, Bukwild remains based in Port Harcourt. He believes that true artistry transcends location, viewing Port Harcourt as an underappreciated cultural capital that provides a rich backdrop for his creative process. “Where you live doesn’t define you,” he asserts. “Once you market your product for the world, you travel to show them its beauty and return to your base.” Leveraging the power of social media and digital platforms, Bukwild has successfully shared his music with a global audience while staying connected to his hometown.
Time & Season embodies Bukwild’s spirit of versatility and deep-rootedness. The EP reflects his background, drawing inspiration from both traditional and contemporary musical influences. Bukwild emphasizes the cultural richness of his home city, highlighting Port Harcourt’s significant contributions to the global music scene through artists like Burna Boy, Timaya, and Omah Lay. He believes that great music can resonate worldwide regardless of where it is created.
A strong advocate for the international acceptance of Nigerian music, Bukwild stresses the importance of incorporating traditional sounds and languages in modern music. He highlights Nigeria’s diverse regional cultures, such as Yoruba, Igbo, and Niger Delta, as rich sources of unique sounds and stories. “Music is universal and doesn’t need a language,” Bukwild explains. “It’s high time we pushed our different melodies to the world so they can experience the uniqueness of Nigeria.”
Bukwild also acknowledges the legendary contributions of Nigerian icons like Fela Kuti, King Sunny Ade, and Jim Rex Lawson. He encourages young Nigerian artists to embrace their cultural roots, arguing that the authentic sounds of Nigeria have a unique global appeal. “You can’t do jazz better than Italians or rap better than Americans,” he stated. “But no one can do highlife better than Nigerians and Ghanaians.”
With Time & Season, Bukwild Da Ikwerrian is set to re-establish his presence in the music industry, carrying the torch for traditional highlife music while embracing contemporary influences. His commitment to showcasing the richness of Nigerian sounds and celebrating his cultural heritage positions him as a significant voice in the ongoing global expansion of Afrobeat and highlife music.
