MonoMono
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1971 in Lagos, Nigeria |
| Headquarters | Lagos , Nigeria |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
MonoMono was an afro-rock ensemble established in Lagos in 1971. The group's name translates to lightning in the Yoruba language. Its lineup included vocalist Joni Haastrup, bassist Babá Ken Okulolo, guitarist Danjuma "Jimi Lee" Adamu, alongside Friday Jumbo and Candido Obajimi. Their discography comprises multiple singles and three full-length LPs, which fused elements of afropop, soul, and British rock within a jam session style.
Career
Soon after their formation, MonoMono issued a 45 rpm single featuring "A Dele" paired with the instrumental "Kenimania". In 1973, their first album, Give The Beggar A Chance, was launched on vinyl by His Master's Voice (EMI), distributed across Nigeria, Zambia, and Peru. The album's cover art was crafted by Remi Olowookere—who later contributed to Fela Kuti’s Expensive Shit—and bore the slogan The Lightning Power of Awareness. Notable tracks included "Give The Beggar A Chance" and "Kenimania".
That same year saw the release of a self-titled album on vinyl under EMI, featuring songs like "Ijo Ibile Wa" and "Make Dem Realise". Additionally, MonoMono put out the single "Gari Pass Water" through EMI in 1973.
In 1974, their final vinyl release, The Dawn of Awareness, came out via Capitol/EMI Nigeria. The band paid tribute to Fela Kuti for his inspirational role. This album contained tracks such as "Plain Fighting (Your Life Is What You Make Of It)" and "Awareness Is Wot You Need". They also released the single "Wake Up The Dead Onez" during that year. MonoMono’s music connected strongly with Nigeria’s urban middle-class youth. The group dissolved around 1975 or 1976.
In 2011, Soundway Records reissued MonoMono’s initial two albums: 1972's Give the Beggar a Chance and 1974's The Dawn of Awareness.
Joni Haastrup passed away on Tuesday, 3 September 2024.