Artist: Cardinal Rex Jim Lawson
Song: Sawale
Album: Classics
Genre: Highlife
Duration: 3:00
Label: Premier Records
Before today’s Ijaw highlife stars, there was Cardinal Rex Lawson. Born in Buguma in present day Rivers State to a Kalabari chief, he became one of the biggest bandleaders Nigerian highlife has ever seen.
“Sawale” is one of his best known songs. It was a hit across Africa and has been remixed in different countries over the years, with Flavour turning it into “Nwa Baby (Ashawo)” for a new generation.
Sadly, Rex Lawson died young in 1971, in a car crash on the Asaba to Benin road while travelling to Warri for a show. His music has outlived him, and this Premier Records version from the “Classics” compilation is the official one on streaming platforms.
Watch the official audio below, then stream “Sawale” on the player at the bottom of this page.
