In the race for the soul of the new school, Dready Boys are the gold standard. Watch the throne—it just got dreads.
: Their father was a London-trained lawyer who also played music, providing a foundation for their artistic pursuits. Album Review: Impact & Sales : Released under Average Records , the album reportedly sold over 2 million copies
The situation was compounded by unimaginable personal tragedy. Shortly after their rise to stardom, the three brothers lost their mother, then, before they could fully recover, their father died while preparing a lawsuit to save them from the label’s clutches. They were orphaned teenagers, fighting a legal war against a system they didn't understand, all while trying to continue creating music. As Greg told the Music in Africa website, “There’s no fire to flame us down,” referencing their lyric, yet the inferno of industry exploitation and personal loss proved almost insurmountable.
In an era before streaming platforms, social media hype, and global Afrobeats dominance, a group of teenage siblings and their cousin from the small town of Igbo-Ukwu in Anambra State achieved what many thought impossible. Armed with little more than raw talent, a borrowed cassette recorder, and an infectious reggae rhythm, The New Waves — popularly known as Dready Boys — didn’t just release a hit album; they set a new yardstick for what Nigerian music could be. Their journey, cut tragically short by the ruthless machinations of the music business, has since become a powerful cautionary tale, a testament to artistic brilliance, and an enduring standard for measuring excellence in the industry. This is the story of how Dready Boys became the benchmark for a better Nigerian music scene, even as the system failed them. dready boys the new waves yardstick in nigeria music better
The Dready Boys emerged in from Igbo-Ukwu, Anambra State. The group was a family affair, consisting of three siblings— Greg Ofoma (now known as St. Greg) , Jim Abel, and Martin Steve—alongside their cousin, Jackin Terah.
Relive the nostalgic sounds of The New Waves with these classic tracks and tributes: Dready Boys 16K views · 1 year ago YouTube · The New Waves - Topic The New Waves - Yardstick 164K views · 7 years ago YouTube · Disco Village The New Waves - YARD STICK 69K views · 6 years ago YouTube · The new waves official Dready Boys (Club Version) 1K views · 1 year ago YouTube · The New Waves - Topic Still on the Move 10K views · 1 year ago YouTube · The New Waves - Topic current gospel career?
Despite their initial meteoric rise, the group's momentum was cut short: Dready Boys - song and lyrics by The New Waves | Spotify In the race for the soul of the
In the early 1990s, the Dready Boys (formally known as The New Waves
Their visibility was amplified by early corporate associations, including with Coca-Cola, highlighting their mainstream marketability.
| Aspect | Dready Boys ( New Waves style) | Mainstream Afrobeats Stars | |--------|--------------------------------|----------------------------| | | Lo-fi, bass-heavy, minimal | High-budget, layered, clean | | Lyrical Depth | Street proverbs, repetitive hooks | Varied (storytelling, romance, flex) | | Global Crossover | Low (except diaspora streets) | High (Billboard, global tours) | | Longevity of Hits | Unknown (trend-dependent) | Proven over multiple albums | | Influence on Producers | Shifting focus to raw log drum patterns | Already established global template | Album Review: Impact & Sales : Released under
The result of these clandestine sessions was the album a record that would become a cultural phenomenon. Produced, managed, and directed by Average Records, the album was a seismic hit in an era without the internet or digital promotion. It reputedly sold over two million copies — a staggering, almost unthinkable figure for a Nigerian act at the time. Tracks like the anthemic Dready Boys , Yardstick , and Take It Easy became the soundtrack of the nation. The album’s A-side opened with the group’s own self-titled track, “Dready Boys,” followed by “Reggae Is King,” “Waiting For The Time,” and “Yardstick,” while the B-side featured “Still On The Move,” “Pass the Nation Boys,” “Take It Easy,” and “Apartheid World” — a collection of songs that tackled social consciousness, youthful ambition, and the sheer joy of music.
The Legacy: Why Better Music Demands the "Yardstick" Mentality
From their chart-topping debut to their heartbreaking dissolution, The New Waves (Dready Boys) remain an indelible yardstick for Nigerian music. They left us with timeless hits and a powerful lesson that still resonates today.