Prince Nico Mbarga Biography: Life, Career, Legacy & Net Worth (Updated 2025)

Prince Nico Mbarga, a prominent highlife musician known for his timeless hit song "Sweet Mother," was born on January 1, 1950, in Abakaliki, Nigeria, to a Cameroonian father and Nigerian mother. His culturally diverse upbringing influenced his unique musical style.

Mbarga developed a passion for music at a young age, mastering various instruments and forming the band Rocafil Jazz. His signature song, "Sweet Mother," released in 1976, sold 13 million copies and earned him the title "Father of Modern African Music." Despite subsequent releases not matching the success of "Sweet Mother," Mbarga continued to perform with the New Rocafil Jazz Band.

Tragically, he died in a motorcycle accident in Calabar on June 24, 1997. His legacy lives on through his iconic music, with "Sweet Mother" remaining a beloved song across Africa and beyond.