Steve Monite’s Sound Transformed Nigerian Funk

Steve Monite’s Sound Transformed Nigerian Funk

100 Nigerian Creators Who Defined the Culture Before You Were Born

2 minutes read

By Muhammed Bello

14 June, 2025

2 minutes read

Steve Monite’s Sound Transformed Nigerian Funk

Image Source: Only You

In 1984, Steve Monite released Only You, an album that came to define the Funk music of its era. The title track fused electronic disco with funk, standing apart from the dominant Afrobeat and Highlife sounds of the time. Another standout track, Things Fall Apart, reflected Nigeria’s socio-political challenges during that period.

While the album did not achieve immediate commercial success, it later gained recognition among music enthusiasts and collectors. The title track experienced a revival in recent years, notably performed live by R&B singer Frank Ocean at the 2017 FYF Fest.

Credits

Editor: Samson Toromade

Art Illustrator/Director: Owolawi Kehinde