'Fantastic Man' (Full Length) - A Film About William Onyeabor

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  • Опубліковано 3 жов 2024
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    You Need To Hear This is proud to present 'Fantastic Man' a documentary investigating Nigerian musician William Onyeabor, a man shrouded in mystery and myth. Directed by Jake Sumner (Alldayeveryday) the film tells the story of a label's attempt to track William down, speaking to fans such as Damon Albarn, Caribou and Femi Kuti and travelling to Nigeria to meet those who've worked with him in a bid to uncover the truth about his story.
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 314

  • @ObiOrjiekwe
    @ObiOrjiekwe 10 років тому +288

    Wow! documentary was a trip in nostalgia. William Onyeabor's electronic funk music was the backdrop to my childhood in the early 80s of Enugu, Nigeria. Constantly played on the radio, my dad playing Onyeabor's songs on the 8-track car stereo, my young Uncle Bart (rip) doing the moves from the video. Enugu was, and still very much is, a very creative city with an abundance of musical talent.
    Thanks guys for releasing such a great documentary
    PS: gotta big up *****, would have never found this if not for her 

    • @skylinertheeditor
      @skylinertheeditor Рік тому +2

      Jus discovered william onyeabor music in 2023, amazing. Love from Bangladesh

  • @bota2112
    @bota2112 8 років тому +213

    Just to see Mr. Onyeabor at the end was freaking amazing!

    • @chijiokeokereke2042
      @chijiokeokereke2042 6 років тому +15

      lol the same thing i thought a well done documentary

    • @jemo9389
      @jemo9389 5 років тому +19

      I really like (and dont like) the fact that he refuses to do any type of interview. His message to us about God and the Bible and the request to film the pictures and instruments really tells us a lot about him in a way. It's all we need to know about him. R.I.P

  • @olisa633
    @olisa633 9 років тому +85

    I went to college in Enugu when Willie Onyeabor was all over the airwaves - but then as now - no one that I remember ever saw him in concert. Or even met him - and he lived less than two miles away. Thanks for the documentary. It is a fitting tribute to the mystery that was Willie.

  • @WilliamAFerguson
    @WilliamAFerguson 10 років тому +74

    Whoever was responsible for putting this up - thank you.
    This was an amazing documentary about a man I've heard of for nearly 30 years.

  • @longshanks64
    @longshanks64 7 років тому +62

    RIP Mr Onyeabor. The music is still making me smile !

  • @ArielViera
    @ArielViera 7 років тому +133

    Now I wish William Onyeabor had the resources to make films. Imagine the trippy afro-futurist films he would have made with his amazing score?! Get this man a movie deal!

  • @judee.7549
    @judee.7549 7 років тому +37

    Wow. Just Wow. Every part of the William Onyeabor renaissance story is nothing but a labor of love. Thanks to everyone that played a role in bringing this to the world. The best part is that the man himself, the riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma (as Churchill described Russia) was alive to, if not see, hear about the reawakening of the music we knew 40 years ago was futuristic and a cut above the rest.
    He was a mystery back in the late 70s and early 80s. While we never could figure out how this guy acquired state of the art gear that big established recording companies could only dream of (cost of one of those moog synthesizers could feed a village back in them days), we were forever in awe of the album liner notes that said "All instruments played by William Onyeabor".
    He really did it his way, from soup to nuts. Rest in peace great one. Thank you Luaka Bop, Uchenna Ikonne, Atomic Bomb band and the other good folks that embarked on this journey and seeing it through.

  • @tylerlynch70
    @tylerlynch70 7 років тому +92

    For anybody interested, the biblical scripture he offered at the end is James 1:22-25
    "22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it-not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it-they will be blessed in what they do."

  • @pictureofsky5332
    @pictureofsky5332 7 років тому +46

    "...do the word of god and live a good life. I love you all, and bye for now."
    RIP

  • @VickyVideo_
    @VickyVideo_ 4 роки тому +25

    Ahem. I heard William for the first time this weekend. I thought he was a brand new, fresh, up and coming artist. And I listen to a lot of electronic music. Turns out he made his music in the 80s. He's a music time lord. What a delight

  • @aniekanakai
    @aniekanakai 10 років тому +224

    My uncle was the lead singer of The Funkees

    • @LuakaBop
      @LuakaBop 10 років тому +34

      Wow!

    • @jamesflowers874
      @jamesflowers874 5 років тому +1

      Nice!

    • @JerseyNo10Shirt
      @JerseyNo10Shirt 5 років тому +2

      Aniekan Akai am trying do a documentary on some legends..pls, can we talk?

    • @vapewavesandsubarus
      @vapewavesandsubarus 5 років тому +2

      @Malt Liquor Reviews what the fuck is your problem mate?

    • @Mmmznznnxnxnnx
      @Mmmznznnxnxnnx 5 місяців тому

      @@JerseyNo10Shirtwow …..ok…..good talk

  • @ashermusic5631
    @ashermusic5631 10 років тому +9

    My mother's sister is married to Williams's brother. I had never heard the story about William until my cousins started posting links to his music a few months ago.

  • @Maximillion666
    @Maximillion666 9 років тому +28

    Africa has always had some great funk groups/artists. I actually like African fuck more then the American version. If you enjoy William Onyeabor you might want to check out "Orchestre Poly- Rythmo Se Contonou"

    • @quakueshut
      @quakueshut 8 років тому

      yes man they are great!

    • @Lortenerfrisk
      @Lortenerfrisk 8 років тому +1

      A cabdriver once told me: a african pussy is like a volcano. So hot!

    • @mcspongeicus
      @mcspongeicus 7 років тому +1

      Just listening to Orchestre Poly- Rythmo Se Contonou now! Thanks for the recommendation!

  • @richardhammond7103
    @richardhammond7103 10 років тому +16

    Wow. The bit outside the house near the end sends a shiver up the spine. Fabulous.

  • @afolabiadedayo6558
    @afolabiadedayo6558 Рік тому +3

    I had a chance meeting with a Polish Dj in Vienna city Austria,he asked me if I know William Onyeabor in 2017.
    Later I did a personal research and realised I remember the hit "when the going is smooth and good"...in the 1980s as a kid growing up in Lagos Nigeria!!!
    William Onyeabor was way ahead of his time!!!!
    He was very talented and unfortunately he had died some months earlier that year, talk about things going full circle!!
    RIP William Onyeabor!!!

  • @KingYahshua
    @KingYahshua 9 років тому +8

    I love the aesthetic in Nigerian artists, especially Onyeabor. makes me feel close to home. AMAAAAZING documentary.

  • @driziiD
    @driziiD 4 роки тому +5

    just discovered this legend! Nigeria we should be honoring our giants! thank you Noisey!

  • @esteban_666
    @esteban_666 4 роки тому +7

    This is a gem of documentary! We haven't learn nothing but I loved the effort of the crew, the people of Nigeria and the smile of William at the end was everything.

  • @RQBtv
    @RQBtv 4 роки тому +6

    I first heard Mr. Onyeabor's music while attending an art class in Mazeppa, MN about two years ago, specifically by overhearing it from someone's Bluetooth speaker. I had already taken a liking to musicians like Hailu Mergia and really hadn't dug too much deeper, but it's safe to say that William Onyeabor's music changed my life for the better.

  • @bigpimpin110011
    @bigpimpin110011 10 років тому +22

    Great documentary. Loved it when you see William's synthesisers and then him at the end.

  • @maddieroxx4eva
    @maddieroxx4eva 6 років тому +6

    Spotify put a couple of his songs in my discover weekly and here we are.

  • @jeremyjirik8247
    @jeremyjirik8247 7 років тому +19

    RIP Just heard Atomic Bomb in a bar two weeks ago. Thanks for the groovy tunes, man.

    • @mackiefilms
      @mackiefilms 4 роки тому

      What barrr??!!!! I wanna visit!!!!!

  • @robertclark2522
    @robertclark2522 8 років тому +13

    Only just discovered Mr Onyeabor............wow, simply 'WOW'.

    • @Mjohannb
      @Mjohannb 8 років тому +6

      same just tonight !!! I can't sleep anymore

  • @travelwithcamera
    @travelwithcamera Рік тому +1

    I wish I could give this documentary a gigantic hug. I loved it so.

  • @NickPescetto
    @NickPescetto 6 місяців тому +1

    He just cut away all inputs that lead to illusions and fogging of the creative vision... and just stayed loyal to his art. thanks for sharing!

  • @radiohobocop.1373
    @radiohobocop.1373 3 роки тому +3

    This is like the first actually interesting thing I've seen online in years, probably.

  • @FelixSteinbild
    @FelixSteinbild 7 років тому +6

    R.I.P. His great music makes me feel good!

  • @xermaster123
    @xermaster123 4 роки тому +22

    Current theory: He was a time-traveler, got sent back to the 60's/70's, wanted to start electronic music. Got told off by the time-police for changing history and was forced to become a born-again-christian as an excuse not to ever talk about his past and reveal his true nature.

  • @superturboawesome1
    @superturboawesome1 5 років тому +6

    Part of the mystery that has me baffled, is all the pictures of him with a cowboy hat on. He really was his own character...

  • @xPirus26
    @xPirus26 6 років тому +7

    beautiful documentry Noisey. Thanks my friends. This guy was truly dedicating himself and doing it for the people. I love Nigeria, my African brothers and sisters as well as its culture a lot. Be blessed my friends

  • @brownze1
    @brownze1 Рік тому +2

    Wow I’m honoured to have learnt some history about the legend. Thanks guys for putting this documentary together

  • @ipsilonia
    @ipsilonia 4 роки тому +4

    thank you for this doc! rest in peace, mr. onyeabor!!! seeing oga at the end smiling and waving made me cry (such a nice surprise!)

  • @Mulavi
    @Mulavi 8 місяців тому

    When the Going is Smooth & Good randomly come on after listening to my South African song playlist last week and I saved it to that knowing nothing about the man. He gets his own separate playlist now. Thanks for the film about this Fantastic Man.

  • @mirzapa
    @mirzapa 10 місяців тому +1

    I randomly discovered his “Fantastic Man” very recently. Having read up on him what I could find, it’s even more impressive.

  • @gmbai
    @gmbai 10 років тому +5

    Saw this documentary with my wife last week and we loved it!

  • @ObiOrjiekwe
    @ObiOrjiekwe 7 років тому +6

    damn. RIP Mr Fantastic! It was a pleasure knowing you and your music

  • @akolawoleomoba3532
    @akolawoleomoba3532 3 роки тому +9

    The lesson from this story is, William Onyeabor is one of the greatest African musicians that ever lived. His influence on modern music is permanent. Unfortunately, Nigerians will not benefit from the royalties of his work.

  • @Alknight7
    @Alknight7 3 роки тому +3

    Loved this guy for a long time! Thanks for this amazing documentary/glimpse into this mysterious genius musician!

  • @johnnykrall
    @johnnykrall Рік тому +2

    incredible work, my friends and I have been infatuated with the idea of William and his music since 2018, so grateful to have found this short film in 2022. I am happy to have a learned so much but still so little the question of Who Is William Onyeabor? still remains.

  • @andrewb87
    @andrewb87 10 років тому +13

    so glad this guy is finally getting his due

    • @antoinettehalberstadt7530
      @antoinettehalberstadt7530 9 років тому +5

      Andrew Brown Judging from the HUGE popularity of his music in Nigeria at the time, and by the looks of his "palace", actually he got his due a long time ago! Perhaps what you're trying to say is you're glad he finally got recognized by the white/ Western world?

  • @singerringerroses
    @singerringerroses 8 років тому +28

    is that him waving his hand at the end. wow

  • @cenkaetaya
    @cenkaetaya 7 років тому +4

    Never heard of him before this documentary. Thanks for sharing. I will be listening to Onyeabor now...

  • @tomedney82
    @tomedney82 10 років тому +9

    Does anyone know anything about Dr Adolf Ahanotu? I discovered his 1985 EP called 'Odejimjim' recently and it's really got a hold on me. Apart from him being Nigerian and the EP being released on Mirabel Records, there's absolutely zero info about him. The song 'Ijere' is hella funky/psychedelic and the whole EP is just out of this world. Great doc btw! Watched it a good few times now. I want to do one on Dr Adolf! ;)

  • @iamsoniaortiz
    @iamsoniaortiz 3 роки тому +2

    This was sooo beautiful, thanks for putting it together ❤️. Loved the simple words he left us with at the end

  • @charlesegbunike3820
    @charlesegbunike3820 8 років тому +95

    Funny, I went to school with his son but never knew how great his dad was smh!

    • @ArielViera
      @ArielViera 7 років тому +2

      Whoa, that's crazy! Did his son even listen to his dad's records?

    • @nwanomma1979
      @nwanomma1979 7 років тому +75

      Ariel Viera..of course I listen to my dad's music. Lol

    • @nwanomma1979
      @nwanomma1979 7 років тому +27

      charles egbunike bro Hola me. We need to talk

    • @damilolajaji8067
      @damilolajaji8067 7 років тому +10

      bro, your dad's music is legendary. you should try to tell his story..... But its ok if he didn't want it. but this greatness is just too much. The sounds, mad

    • @ChefDinon
      @ChefDinon 7 років тому +2

      Charles Onyeabor bro we should talk

  • @slayer5813
    @slayer5813 4 роки тому +12

    If it wasn't for Apple's commercial that used "Fantastic Man" in it, I probably would have never known about William Onyeabor.
    Thank You Apple!!!

  • @NickFlores_Music
    @NickFlores_Music 2 роки тому +1

    Omg when William came out at the end I literally couldn’t believe it!!

  • @olawaninumi
    @olawaninumi Рік тому +1

    Many thanks to the team for the great work

  • @moneymexx13
    @moneymexx13 10 років тому +33

    "searching for sugar man" - nigerian style!

    • @Igbogadi
      @Igbogadi 10 років тому

      Yes! I was thinking the same thing. Very much alike.

    • @AnOutragedJew
      @AnOutragedJew 5 років тому

      first thoughts , much love great work

  • @hoffM83n
    @hoffM83n 7 років тому +2

    rip mr. onyeabor. his music for me will always be associated with beautiful and depressingly powerful places that i was lucky enough to visit and just be happening to listen to his music at or before. kalau beach, random city park in taiwan, visiting the killing fields in cambodia. he created this music for whatever reason, and for that i am grateful

  • @zibbyshow
    @zibbyshow 7 років тому +3

    Rest In Power, Mr Onyeabor. Legends never die. It was very emotional seeing him at the end. Goodbye sir

  • @killermusiccorp
    @killermusiccorp 10 років тому +6

    This really is an incredible project. Love Mr Onyeabor

  • @merlin1997ish
    @merlin1997ish 7 років тому +11

    I teared up a bit at the end

  • @DJESSBEEDEE
    @DJESSBEEDEE 7 років тому +3

    RIP Onyeabor! The man was a musical genius!!

  • @CantThinkofaCoolOne
    @CantThinkofaCoolOne 9 років тому +8

    Super job here Noisey. Top class.

  • @robh2o
    @robh2o 10 років тому +2

    i love videos like this , being a record collector i always wait for that one find as soon as the needle hits the record it blows you away.

  • @DareiCaree
    @DareiCaree 10 місяців тому

    Such a divine doc thanks for making it on a ethereal artist such as William

  • @whitemoses
    @whitemoses Рік тому

    One of the best music docs on UA-cam. Excellent work

  • @suraynathan7148
    @suraynathan7148 3 роки тому +3

    What a fantastic man!

  • @OllieGio
    @OllieGio 9 років тому +4

    This is absolutely brilliant

  • @underwaterlady
    @underwaterlady 7 років тому +4

    r.i.p. fantastic man. thanks for the music

  • @ezekielvillamarin7899
    @ezekielvillamarin7899 Рік тому +2

    Desde Ecuador, aun escuchamos a William, gracias este gran documental. Siempre nos quedara ese sabor agridulce por saber "Who is William Onyeabor?"

  • @Abuzac
    @Abuzac 10 років тому +1

    Wow. That's good to know. I remember now. Growing up with his music. Though, never really knew who he was. Thank you for sharing. Thank you for the great music sir William Onyeabor.

  • @bradleyharrisYT
    @bradleyharrisYT Рік тому

    RIP William Onyeabor. Your music will forever be a part of my life.

  • @ooSICKoCORTIXoo
    @ooSICKoCORTIXoo 10 років тому +4

    incredible history, big up from spain

  • @moroteseoinage
    @moroteseoinage 3 роки тому +1

    Fire documentary. Really building up the mystery and the payoff is magic.

  • @NupeVT
    @NupeVT 10 років тому +1

    Exceptional documentary and an even more exceptional character in William.

  • @AnthonyDavidsound
    @AnthonyDavidsound 8 років тому +8

    I just found gold!

  • @MadMaxtheCinephile
    @MadMaxtheCinephile 10 років тому +4

    He looks so good...Fantastic Man

  • @qwertyfla
    @qwertyfla 7 років тому +10

    RIP FANTASTIC MAN!

  • @grant1852
    @grant1852 4 роки тому +2

    What a great musician. Wish I could find original copies of these records. How cool.

  • @contemplativeleaf
    @contemplativeleaf 7 років тому +3

    Rest in peace Mr. Onyeabor! ♡

  • @nbarnechea
    @nbarnechea 7 років тому +4

    Rest in peace genius, you are making the Lord himself groove to your beats now

  • @NefeStone
    @NefeStone 10 років тому +1

    this just made my day. fuck onyeabor was the shit. reminisce. good times.

  • @Whatevah232
    @Whatevah232 7 років тому

    Rest in peace you wonderful human being, thank you for the music and the beauty.

  • @Vpmatt
    @Vpmatt 2 роки тому +1

    Brilliant documentary, fascinating guy. Great to see all the cast of people sharing their thoughts (and Damon too!). I'll get my vinyl copy out again soon for another listen. (Very pretty lady looking straight at the camera at 10:40 was another highlight).

  • @abiodunadeyemi3320
    @abiodunadeyemi3320 7 років тому +5

    Those record store owners probably don't know the goldmine they are sitting on

    • @MoyoTaiwo
      @MoyoTaiwo 7 років тому +2

      Is it possible for any library to create space for those vinyl records and preserve the history in them?
      These men may perhaps not understand how valuable those records are in this age.
      I am less than 30, but this is something I want to dig deep into and understand in great depth.

  •  10 років тому +6

    The pioneer of Nigerian electronic music >>

  • @thebigzero
    @thebigzero 4 дні тому

    when oh when will the archivist and historian community turn their eye to CRASHES IN LOVE, would love to see that movie

  • @CheGrand
    @CheGrand 10 років тому +6

    William Onyeabor looks so much like my Father on the Atomic Bomb LP cover it’s scary.

    • @ArielViera
      @ArielViera 7 років тому +4

      Because he is! William Onyeabor is a father to us all.

    • @cvanburen
      @cvanburen 6 років тому +1

      Ariel Viera 😂😂😉

  • @tonalfx
    @tonalfx 7 років тому +1

    We've lost a great pioneer. R.I.P Fantastic Man :(

  • @radiqalova
    @radiqalova 10 років тому +6

    hi, thanks for the exquisite piece a documentary here. I was wondering, was there a chance to see the original music video "When the going is smooth and good".

  • @Balonious_Crunk
    @Balonious_Crunk 2 роки тому

    Fascinated by this man's musical and personal journey.

  • @randycool81
    @randycool81 Місяць тому

    When the going is smooth and good, many, many, people will be your friend 😎

  • @abiodunadeyemi3320
    @abiodunadeyemi3320 7 років тому +3

    Funny thing is I'm Nigerian based in Nigeria but I never knew of him until last year (2016), I doubt many of us here know of him, he doesn't have the legacy in Nigeria that of some of his contemporaries have.

    • @kings11ng
      @kings11ng Рік тому

      When the going song was quite popular back in the days.. just didn't know that he was Nigerian

  • @PreparingForSHTF
    @PreparingForSHTF 7 років тому

    Thanks for this effort. Great job.
    Brother Onyeabor, I love you, man. R.I.P.

  • @driziiD
    @driziiD 4 роки тому +1

    again, we love to see it!

  • @t0rment2004
    @t0rment2004 9 років тому +3

    I have that organ, it's a Yamaha Electone. Great sounds on it.

  • @shanefraser7764
    @shanefraser7764 3 місяці тому

    So Rad, ive owned the same synth and love the old sounds they have, ive used dozens in old churches some with peddle bellows and reed pull tabs the sound they have is different to synths obviously a more haunting tone🤘🇳🇿

  • @ArthurBizkit
    @ArthurBizkit Рік тому

    Thanks for having made this.

  • @umozo1
    @umozo1 9 років тому +3

    lionel richie still makes music ,,still earns royalties..every Nigerian musician gets old..disses their classics in the 80s..and embraces gospel music like its a fad..we so silly atimes..

  • @bevboyz
    @bevboyz 10 років тому +4

    fucking incredible what a film!! big ups to the producers!

    • @bevboyz
      @bevboyz 9 років тому

      *grammar

    • @vernal6944
      @vernal6944 9 років тому

      bevboyz *troll

    • @vernal6944
      @vernal6944 9 років тому

      bevboyz Serious question bevboyz...
      Why would you point out a grammatical error as small as an apostrophe on the word "they're" (which ofcourse was a typo) after I wrote 2 large paragraphs? Are you trying to say that I don't understand the word "they're" means "they are"? Or are you just trying to find any little error to feed your monstrous ego? The only thing I can come up w/ is that you are in fact a troll, plain and simple. Maybe you should just get out a little more. Maybe take up a hobby? Or maybe, just maybe you should simply quit being a jerk. Up to you. But whatever you do please quit correcting others grammar/spelling. This isn't school and your certainly not my teacher. Now do me a favor and just go away. I wasn't writing to you initially nor do I wish to speak w/ you again. Get it? Great. Goodbye...

  • @SAHogan-ih3bo
    @SAHogan-ih3bo 8 місяців тому

    author of THE DEATH TAX sez: Best bio I've ever seen about a subject people know almost nothing about. After spending four years in Ghana I can tell you WO's music is VERY African--enough, even, to make me nostalgic for this most beguiling continent.

  • @kgu1750
    @kgu1750 10 років тому +1

    I wanna see full length william onyeabor videos they showed segments of in this documentary. So, so funky.

  • @imictfh
    @imictfh 7 років тому +3

    RIP William Onyeabor :(

  • @complexphenom402
    @complexphenom402 8 років тому +2

    Why am I fascinated by this?

  • @FWD360
    @FWD360 10 років тому +1

    Great piece! Very interesting documentary. The Myths and Synths of Mr Onyeabor.

  • @oncedidactic
    @oncedidactic 7 років тому +1

    Thanks for this awesome film!

  • @doomsdayzalinsky7910
    @doomsdayzalinsky7910 Рік тому

    Ben fatto! Grazie mille per aver reso disponibile questo dolce piccolo documentario qui senza metterlo dietro un paywall. Mi è piaciuto molto seguire la ricerca di un contesto da cui vedere Mr. Onyeabor.

  • @chetrok1
    @chetrok1 8 років тому +1

    This is so amazing