Rex Lawson

Rex Jim Lawson (4 March 1938 – 16 January 1971), He was the fourth child to his parents, the others having died of illnesses. At a young age, Lawson was afflicted with a severe case of small pox. While his mother brought him to various medicine men outside of Kalabari for treatment, his father feared he would die and lost interest in raising him. Lawson later sued his father for neglect while he was at school. He won the case, but his father cursed him in return, and the two did not communicate with one another until Lawson began his musical career.

Musical career Rex Lawson began his career in Port Harcourt as a bandboy for Lord Eddyson's Starlight Melody Orchestra. He later played with Sammy Obot, Bobby Benson, Victor Olaiya, Chris Ajilo, and other Ghanaian and Nigerian musicians and bands. His greatest success came as the leader of the Majors Band (also called the Rivers Men in later years); their recorded hits include "So ala teme", "Yellow Sisi", "Gowon Special", and "Jolly Papa".

By 1965 Lawson had written more than 100 songs. In July 1970 he traveled to the United Kingdom, where from then until September he recorded an album, Rex Lawson in London. He was able to sing in many different languages and dialects such as Kalabari, Nembe, Ijaw(Izon), Igbo, Urhobo, Ibibio, Efik and those of Cameroon and Ghana.

In most Highlife bands, the trumpet often played a leading role in the music that they played. Lawson broke from this trend by frequently featuring alto saxophone solos in his songs. He was 32 years old. After his death, his band continued as the Professional Seagulls. Lawson was married to Chief (Mrs.) Regina Rex Lawson who died in October 2008.

Discography Albums Abari Biya (as Rex Lawson) Bere Bote (as Cardinal Rex Jim Lawson) Owuna Derina (as Cardinal Rex Jim Lawson) Nume Inye (as Cardinal Rex Jim Lawson)

Contributing artist The Rough Guide to Highlife (2003, World Music Network)

Legacy His music is loved to this day in Nigeria. His songs are regularly performed and danced at live band shows in Nigeria, and a number of young musicians have remixed some of his old hits, and his relevance continues to be felt. His most popular songs were "Love Adure" and "Sawale". The single "Sawale" was a hit all over Africa and has been remixed in various Africa countries like Ethiopia.

His single "Sawale" was remixed by Flavour N'abania to make the popular hit song, "Nwa Baby (Ashawo)".

In honor of his musical achievements, the Rivers State Government named a street after Lawson in the neighborhood of Borokiri in Port Harcourt.

Documentary In 2018, Beautiful Nubia, Nigeria's foremost contemporary folk and roots musician, released on YouTube, a documentary - "Unworthy of a Name" - detailing Rex Lawson's life and times.