Idemudia Cole is a legendary musician from Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria who serenaded audiences with his unique blend of highlife for over three decades. Born and raised in Benin City, he began his music career in the late sixties through participating in cultural activities that helped him hone his craft. Cole’s musical education started at the prestigious Omo Osula Royal Music Academy where he mastered the trumpet. He started playing very early in his career and played with notable bands such as Prince Omo Lawal Osula’s outfit from 1971 to 1973, and General Bolivia Osigbeme’s dance band from late 1973 to 1974. In 1975, Cole took the bold step of establishing his own band, The Talent of Benin. The band quickly gained popularity across the South South region of Nigeria and eventually became popular across the country. The Talents of Benin made significant impact in the 1980s by blending funk influences with traditional highlife rhythms Their debut album “Ovhiye,Ewuakpe the Great,” released in 1976, was a massive commercial success, selling over 360,000 copies which was an incredible feat at the time. Their song Ikpem’ Oba, released in 1980 is a classic piece of Edo highlife music that showcased their mastery of rhythm, instrumentation, and indigenous Edo melodies. The band’s music encapsulated the essence of highlife while infusing elements of folklore, contemporary sounds, and danceable beats. *Ikpem’ Oba*, like many highlife songs, carried themes of celebration, storytelling, and cultural pride, making it a timeless record that continues to resonate with music enthusiasts today. Other popular songs include “Emuedo”, “Ewakpe”, and “Iyare”, which have captivated audiences with their infectious rhythms and melodies. Other notable hits from the band’s discography include “Emoseruwa”, “Ikpem’ Oba”, “Oruemwen”, and “Odo Ughegbe”, showcasing the group’s ability to craft memorable and enduring highlife classics. Throughout his illustrious career, Idemudia Cole released an impressive 27 LPs, featuring hit tracks like “Zuma,” “Ikpemonba,” and “Osimwiondor.” With a career spanning over 37 years, he has performed for thousands of fans across Africa, leaving an indelible mark on the highlife music scene.