Rick Nguti quits for eternity
By Nchendzengang Tatah
The mortal remains of legendary Cameroon folklore artist Rick Nguti have been laid to rest in his native Mankon, Bamenda. The musician, songwriter, and guitarist, born Richard Ade Nguti, was described in notable terms by a cream of artists and multitudes of mourners during a three-day-long funeral rite.
At the Holy Family Parish, Alakuma on May 30, Ade received his last honours as the clergy committed him to peaceful repose. He had in his lifetime lost at least two of his biological children.
Artists of the North West had earlier on May 28 organised a vigil in Rick’s memory. The event at the Bamenda Congress Hall gave room for many of his songs to be revived and danced.
Multitudes pay Rick last respect
Ankias Vallyman President of the region’s artist association on behalf of his peers, addressed a heart-warming tribute to the deceased folklore king. He acknowledged that the memory of the deceased icon will live on for his tremendous impact on music nationwide. Ankias said Rick will remain a notable inspiration to the artists of the region and those to come.
The acclaimed musician Rick Nguti, a standard seven graduate first started as a house builder. His first wife recalls that Rick used to play a guitar alongside their neighbour— who made musical sounds from bottles, whenever he came back from work.
Rick’s talent soon sprouted and garnered local support. Leading him to embrace music full-time. His songs animated dance floors and his albums were popular in the 90s and early 2000s. He did not just sing to entertain but lent a voice in encouraging youths, advising against thievery and other moral ills. His song on Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome “Stop AIDS,” spread like wildfire and helped in the advocacy against the disease till this day.
Rick was loved. He tiredly churned out pieces in local Mobako of the Mankon people with Bottle Dance rhythms— a popular grassfield music genre. He is widely considered the father of the bottledance. This however, wasn’t too financially satisfying to him. He will later exploit means of relocating abroad. Until his death, he had spent over 23 years in the US. Rick Nguti had only spent a few years abroad before he became heavily sick. Born in Mankon in 1947 he quit the scene on February 21, 2026, aged 78. He leaves behind two wives, children and grandchildren with a multitude of his fans who continue to savour his timeless pieces.
