NOVEMBER 6, 2013
Olatunde Obajeun
Producer and singer, Olatunde Obajeun, steps out with his first major album, AKEEM LASISI writes
The title of his maiden album is very suggestive: Executive Gangsters. Whoever is familiar with how shamelessly corrupt many Nigerian political office holders – and their allies and cousins in other sectors – are can guess what the content of the title song will be.
Well, such a person can be somehow right, because Executive Gangsters is a response to the social malady that is holding the country down. Many listeners will even consider the song ‘timely’ based on the scandal currently rocking the aviation ministry, where the minister and agency officials are voraciously buying armoured vehicles with hundreds of millions of Naira.
But a pleasant surprise yet awaits the listener. Although the artiste is very critical in the song and a few others in the album, he does so with so much creativity that even the ‘accused’ will enjoy the flow. It is such creative pomp that defines the music of Olatunde Obajeun, who, despite being around for years, has just stepped out with the new album.
Roving between afro, jazz and blues, Obajeun, who is also, folk a music and video producer, explores different subjects that include politics, love and care for the oppressed. In tracks such as Executive Gangsters and Busy President, he waxes political and throws jabs at those he believes are misruling Nigeria.
In Morenitimofe and Mobolanle, however, the artiste becomes one hungry lover on the trail of the hearts of some tender birds. The interplay of English and Yoruba chants in Morenitimofe – and some other songs in the album – also makes the music interesting.
But if music is a vehicle for invoking emotions, it is in Ta lo Naya Sade that Obajeun strikes the loudest chord. Here, he makes a case for a widow who faces further assaults from people who are supposed to show her the kindness.
“Mama Sade is a very deep song,” Obajeun notes. “It’s actually a true life story of injustice. So, I relate it with what is happening in my country today. You will agree with me that there is too much oppression, lies greed and hatred going on – even around the world.”
When he will be presenting Executive Gangstaers in Lagos on November 10 – he says he produced an album he never shared with the public 13 years ago – he will be harvesting a creative and professional investment that has endured for years. His journey into the studio began when he was a member of the choir of the First African church St James Parish, Abule Egba, Lagos. The Kogi-born singer says that was where his talent was discovered, a revelation that buttresses the fact that the church has been a key factor in the growth of many Nigerian artistes.
On how he is able to push both production and performance to the level they are now, he says he always likes to express himself in many ways.
“I never want to be lazy in any way. I believe in professionalism and the importance of growing a brand to the highest form” Obajeun explains, adding that all the songs in Executive Gangsters were originally created by him though some young producers – Password, Mario, Mene, Jimoh Kuti, Toy, Ebenezer Oke. – worked with him.
He notes on his influences, “I have special love for all the musicians that inspired me. But I can’t really say this is my role model. All the genres of music I have listened to affected the style I developed. These include folk, jazz, soul, afro, highlife, hip hop, rap song, fuji, and lots more. But I will still mention a few of the musicians that inspired me. These include Fela, Fatoumata Diawara, George Benson, Asa, Nneka, Femi Kuti, Beautiful Nubia, Jah Baba, Ebenezer Obey, KSA, Michael Jackson and Tuface. I have had a wonderful experience working with a lot of musicians both in Nigeria and abroad, both in the studios and on stages.”
The album will be presented at Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island, where Obajeun also performs regularly.
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