Felix Lebarty Explained

Felix Lebarty
Alias:Lover Boy
Birth Place:Edo State, Nigeria
Instrument:Vocals, guitar
Occupations:Singer, musician, pastor
Label:Tabansi, EMI Nigeria

Felix Lebarty, also known as Lover Boy, is a Nigerian singer/songwriter and record producer, best known for the 1989 single "Ifeoma" from the One Life To Live album. He has since reinvented himself as a pastor, and currently runs his own Christian ministry.[1] [2] [3] [4]

Music

Lebarty gained music experience with his older brother, highlife musician Aigbe Lebarty,[5] before embarking on a solo career. His first release was the album Girls For Sale, but achieved his breakthrough with 1982's Lover Boy, with the title track becoming his showbiz moniker. Lebarty's music was well-received in Eastern Nigeria, particularly within the Igbo community, and some of his songs were odes to Igbo women, including "Ego", "Chi-Chi", "Ada", "Uchenna", Ngozi,[6] and "Nneka".

In 1989, a decade into his career as a recording artiste, Lebarty released the album One Life to Live which featured what would become his signature song, "Ifeoma". It would later be heard during the nightclub scene in the 2021 film Swallow despite the 1985 setting, as One Life to Live was released four years later. Following the release of his final album as a secular artist, 1992's 419, Lebarty relocated to the United States where he established a taxi firm, returning to Nigeria five years later.[7] [8]

Ministry

Born into an African traditionalist family, Lebarty converted to Islam at the height of his fame but became a Christian in the 90s. With the support of fellow 80s singer-turned-preacher Chris Okotie,[8] Lebarty attended bible school in America and is now the pastor of his own ministry.[4] [9]

Personal life

Lebarty, whose father died when he was 3, is the father of 19 children by seven different women.[10] [11] [2] He is now legally married to Rosemary, the mother of his first four children including fashion designer/singer Ivie[7] - the couple initially split following Lebarty's numerous affairs with other women, but reunited after he discovered Christianity. Lebarty has since expressed regret over his former lifestyle, and now preaches against polygamy and secular music.[12]

Discography

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 3 March 2012 . Nigerian Idol Celebrates Onyeka Onwenu, KSA, Felix Liberty . This Day Live . 9 May 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150518084243/http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/nigerian-idol-celebrates-onyeka-onwenu-ksa-felix-liberty/110548/ . 18 May 2015 . dead .
  2. Web site: Kazeem . Popoola . Music stars of yesteryears 2 ..Where are they now . https://web.archive.org/web/20110506051944/http://nigeriafilms.com/news/11530/29/music-stars-of-yesteryears-2-where-are-they-now.html. 6 May 2011. dead . Nigerafilms.com . 28 July 2016.
  3. Web site: ThrowBack Thursday: Felix Liberty – Ifeoma . dead . Aribaba . Jaguda.com . 28 July 2016 . 19 July 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160719151103/http://jaguda.com/2014/09/18/throwback-thursday-felix-liberty-ifeoma/ .
  4. Web site: I Regret Not Being Able To Provide for All My Children...Pastor Felix Liberty. The Nigerian Voice . Nigeriafilms.com . Nathan Nathaniel . Ekpo . 28 July 2016.
  5. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/03/most-young-musicians-are-half-baked-aigbe-lebarty/ Most Nigerian Musicians are half-baked
  6. https://thenationonlineng.net/ngozi/ Ngozi
  7. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/02/fathers-lifestyle-affected-childhood-felix-libertys-daughter/ My Father's Lifestyle Affected My Childhood
  8. https://www.thenigerianvoice.com/movie/4976/i-became-a-taxi-driver-in-the-us-because-i-didnt-want-to-se.html I Became a Taxi Driver in the US Because I Didn't want to Sell Drugs
  9. https://onlinenigeria.com/nm/templates/?a=13915 I Am A New Breed
  10. Web site: Polygamy almost ruined my life, says Felix Libarty . 11 February 2017 . 5 June 2022 . Vanguard News.
  11. Web site: Fathering children I cannot take care of remains my greatest regret – Felix Liberty . Vanguard News . 28 February 2015 . Benjamin . Njoku . 28 July 2016.
  12. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/02/fathering-children-i-cannot-take-care-of-remains-my-greatest-regret-felix-liberty/ Fathering Children I Cannot Take Care Of Remains My Greatest Regret
  13. Web site: Felix Lebarty . .

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Felix Lebarty".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.