Veteran singer Chris Mba, who gained popularity in the 1980s, has died.

Michael Odiong, general manager of Premier Music which Chris was signed to, confirmed he died on Wednesday around 6pm at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

The musician battled a heart-related disease for several years.

Loved by many for his jerry curl, Chris had hits like ‘Funky Situation’, ‘Baby Don’t Cry’, ‘Making my Way’ and ‘Love Everlasting’.

He also performed at an evening of tributes organised for the late Ras Kimono by the Copyright Society of Nigeria in August 2018.

In 2019, journalist Azuka Jebose raised alarm about Chris’ health. He said the singer was down with heart disease and urgently needed financial assistance.

Mr Jebose said the singer sent him a distress message on WhatsApp seeking financial assistance to help pay for treatment at LUTH.

Jebose this is a serious health challenge for me and my family. Please, my brother, help me. We buy drugs every day and hospital bed costs N50k,” he was quoted as saying.

Chris was in the news in June 2018 following a 17-year-old suit he pressed against Nigerian Breweries (NB) Plc. The lawsuit was eventually ruled in his favour.

The singer sustained a serious eye injury in 2000 after he was horsewhipped at NB Plc’s Star Mega Jam staged at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.

He subsequently pressed charges against the company in 2001 at the High Court sitting in Enugu which returned verdict in his favour, prompting an appeal.