Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi: The legend, his music | The Guardian ...

Curator of Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi cubicle on the gallery explaining some exhibits to visitors

dressed in semi formal attire, he alights from the vehicle, which introduced him to the Federal college of schooling, Osiele, Abeokuta. The automobile waits in the driveway, its doors nonetheless opened. He walks in gently aided via his son, Femi; his own assistant, Taiwo Olujimi and supervisor, Tunji Odunbaku. Three of them, two on one facet, take him by using the elbows to assist him in. He seats in an armchair to welcome everybody who is available in a calm method.

His presence draws a tremendous crowd of excited staff and college students of the college, who took collection of selfies with the legendary musician. few minutes after taking his seat, the quietness that ushers him in is punctured by using the surging crowd's request for the rendition of his evergreen songs.

Voice notwithstanding nonetheless sonorous, is feeble. His ft are nimble and vulnerable.Age has gnawed, no doubts. And if you seem straight into his eyes, you'll notice that age has really set in. but the legend is still potent at heart. He still sings fantastically.

Evangelist (Prof.) Ebenezer Oluwaremilekun Olasupo Aremu Obey-Fabiyi is famous. His song is per excellence. in reality, many nonetheless retain alive of their reminiscences, his evergreen songs, which wouldn't stop to rhyme with lore of their ears.

Born in Idogo, Ogun State, Nigeria of Egba-Yoruba ethnic historical past, he grew up in a place that has considering that disappeared from americans's recognition. the city now not so long ago, served as a teach terminus and many railway men labored in the town.

"The adventure of my life has been a supply of testimony and idea to me. i was conceived in Idogo, born in Massey medical institution on Lagos Island, raised in Idogo and Abeokuta before eventually coming to dwell in Lagos," the tune icon, who has been energetic in the last 60 years and remains active, says.

You wonder the key of his success?"The type of songs you unlock to the hundreds," he says.The song legend says every artiste is a feature of the form of song she or he releases to the lovers.

"When i go into the studio, I all the time asked myself three questions: '"What do I are looking to give to my listener? What do I need to provoke on my listener? and What do I want the listener to remember me for in that certain music? These three questions guide me all over my profession."

The legend explains, "as a result, I rendered significant lyrics like suggestions, prayer and information, which listeners wish to hear and sing. additionally, once I inform a narrative like Ketekete, it is conceived to teach lesson that no person can please the world. Little wonder my hits have received a lot of gold."

He says, looking up promptly to the gang, "when you sing sensible songs, it'll touch people."Obey-Fabiyi adds, "I'm very nearly 78 years old now, the songs I wrote at forty still thrill people today." He all started his knowledgeable profession within the mid-Nineteen Fifties after relocating to Lagos.

The late Fata Rolling greenback taught him probably the most most advantageous lesson a musician can gain knowledge of, which is to try to peer — actually and all the way down to its very centre —the world via decent tune.

After tutelage beneath Fatai Rolling dollar's band, he formed a band called The overseas Brothers in 1964, enjoying highlife-juju fusion. The band later metamorphosed into Inter-Reformers in the early-Nineteen Seventies, with a long listing of Juju album hits on the West African Decca musical label.

Obey-Fabiyi begun experimenting with Yoruba percussion vogue and increasing on the band by way of including extra drum kits, guitars and talking drums. however, his musical strengths lie in weaving problematic Yoruba axioms into dance-floor compositions.

as it is attribute of Nigerian Yoruba social-circle track, the Inter-Reformers band excelled in praise-singing for prosperous Nigerian socialites and business tycoons.

Obey-Fabiyi, youngsters, is additionally well-liked for Christian spiritual issues in his music and has considering the early-1990s retired into Nigerian gospel tune ministry.

"I even have been a musician for over 60 years. Mine is not altering from secular to gospel, but a call from God. though it was complicated for me to claim sure or no then, after 12 years, I realised God desired me to use music to propagate his gospel. That was exactly what happened to me. After 17 years of doing that, the Lord allowed me to do particular outreach and appearances. I cost people and that i hold a part of the proceeds for the ministry and myself. there have been feedback that i was backsliding then. however my works are there as evidence and i'm nevertheless the use of my tune to serve God. I don't pass over anything else," he confesses.

Taking a cue from the surging crowd, Obey renders some of his hit tracks to the pleasure of each person. From Aimasiko to Aye wa a toro, Ota mii dehin le yin mi, Oro Oluwa Ede, Board individuals, Eniri Nkan he, Ori mi koniburu and Kete kete, he takes his viewers on reminiscence lane, enacting what gave the impression a professional-Bono show. He believes that the younger era of artistes are doing smartly speaking their message."

Obey, however, gives a caveat: "but they have to borrow from what we've. they can do better."The juju music legend says, "we deserve to allow them circulate through experiences of lifestyles. allow them to event the falling and making of mistakes, it is just then that they could be trained."

some of his most fulfilling hits encompass, Ewa Wo Ohun Ojuri, Aiye Gba Jeje, Ifelodun,Awolowo Babawa Tide, Olomi Gbo Temi, Olowo Laiye Mo, Ode To Nso Eledumare, Board individuals, Odun Keresimesi, Ketekete and the ever everyday Egba anthem.

The juju maestro and evangelist of the gospel listens as he can, as the proud crowd that gathered at the area struggled to ask for extra. Obey's track has gone from the lyrical to the philosophical and now non secular. youngsters, a common thread this is observable is his unbelievable engagement of the mind and occasion of humanity. The songs have remained stylistically daring, and astonishingly elegiac in composition.

Oludamola Adebowale, a documentarist and archivist says, "some of his songs like Ota mii dehin le yin mi, Oro Oluwa Ede, Board participants, Eniri Nkan e, Ori m koniburu, and most importantly, Egba, solidified Chief Ebenezer Obey as now not just a musical genius however also as a man who is happy with his americans and of his heritage."

He continues, "I trust in the pursuit of excellence."It become Graham Greene who wrote that in every childhood, there is a second when a door opens and lets the long run in. these days, Obey-Fabiyi opened the door of his coronary heart for others to walk via it. He offered a few of his personal results — two guitars, dresses, shoes, eye glass, albums and covers, old photos, among others, to the faculty Gallery, as part of the institution's newly conceived concept of growing an heritage house for probably the most nation's legends.

"i do know this museum area should be of large benefit and a supply of idea to the college students of the college and future generations who will locate motivation in my story and adventure through lifestyles as a musician, an African and an indigene of Ogun State," Obey says a little while later.

"I donate these gadgets to the faculty in first rate religion and hope that posterity will serve us neatly as we are trying to keep our historical past for the benefit of generations to return. The should birth curating areas for the upkeep of our background and heritage is greater important now than ever," he broadcasts.

Pauses.His eyes flutter underneath the thick lenses as he sings a few of his historic tunes. "I commit these gadgets to the reminiscence of my fogeys. Most mainly to my mom, Mrs. Abigail Oyindamola Abeke Fabiyi (Nee Toriola) from Owu quarters in Abeokuta, and to my father Chief Nathaniel Olasewo Fabiyi from Kesi, Abeokuta and to the glory of Almighty God who has been my source of electricity all these years."

talking on how he took place curating the space, Adebowale, says, "it is nothing however a privilege i'll perpetually cherish. It's not virtually telling the story of his selfless and legendary lifestyles, however also witnessing his accomplishments, struggles and success at the equal time."

past this yr, from April 25 to 27, 2019, he had chance of curating the pageant Exhibition for the Ogun State executive throughout the 2019 African Drum competition in Abeokuta. The 2019 edition of the pageant turned into in honour of Chief Ebenezer Obey and 13 other icons from the state.

Adebowale says softly, covering his eyes along with his palms, "the aim of curating this mini museum house is to have a good time a proud son of the soil. Obey began his musical career in the mid 50s. He focused on using his music to advertise the cultural welfare of Yoruba land and most importantly the tradition and heritage of Ogun State. To this effect, it's worthwhile ample to rejoice an iconic figure who has allowed "Juju song" to be an export from Nigeria. a world feat to say the least."

Adebowale says, turning away abruptly to whisper into the icon's ears, "the entire gadgets in this space have been personally supervised and handpicked on my own and Baba Obey. The idea is not just to create inspiring works for posterity however additionally to encourage the more youthful generations and students of this great establishment that they can also obtain greatness too, as long as they dwell focused, work challenging and live diligent."

Obey married Juliana Olaide Olufade in 1963. His wife, referred to as girl Evangelist Juliana Obey-Fabiyi, died at Lagos State tuition educating clinic on August 23 2011, aged sixty seven. they have got a couple of infants and grand children.