Before I turned 10 years old, I realized that music was the ONE for me. I began seeking opportunities to join in church music groups but, because of my age, it was difficult. Eventually after my 10th birthday the music leader at the Pentecostal church that my family went to allowed me to play as one of the percussionists in parts of the service. This continued right through the time that my country fought a civil war and music was an integral part of our survival mechanism at that time. I spent a short while as a soldier during that war (the Nigeria/Biafra war) and as soon as it ended I went back to school and carried on with my quest for more music.

I joined different bands and started a few--they all came and went until 1976 when I set out as a solo artist, writing and singing my own songs. I was very insecure about the sound of my voice at that early time and this led to my having to employ a lead vocalist to sing after I'd written the songs and performed on the records in other respects. My very first producer, Mr. Goddy Oku, tried on many occasions to talk me out of my fears but failed every time. Then one day, as I was checking the lead vocal mic in readiness for the hired singer, he recorded me. He then called me into the control room to check-out the mix and played that recording to me. I was so embarrassed. I just didn't want to listen. He said, "This is what you sound like without knowing you're being recorded. What do you think would happen if you had actually prepared for it?" My life was different after that experience and I've not yet figured out how to thank him for believing so much in me.

I recorded two albums as part of a band called "The Saints" and three solo projects after the band disbanded. I was known as Chude Okafor at that time in Nigeria. In 1979 I left Nigeria and travelled to the UK to find wider expression for my music and to study at a theological college in England. I wasn't there for more than 1 year when my circumstances changed and I had to leave formal education and head out into the streets again with my guitar in hand and a batch of songs in my back pocket.

I then joined a fantastic English hard-rock band called "Blazing Apostles". They gave me my first introduction in playing live music in the West and I am full of fond memories of the 1 year that we worked together touring the UK. Since then, I've released six solo records from the United Kingdom: 'Children of the World', 'Downpressor Man', 'Nkiru', 'Generation', 'Coffee With Lazarus' and 'Thing With War'. I've also done a couple of African releases since taking up residence in England namely; 'Rhythm and Creed' and 'Shadows' (compilation + remixes). Having recently refurbished my recording, studio I am already at work on my future releases.