The Renowned Juju Musician Who Became A Gospel Singer – Ebenezer Obey At 80

As the music legend, Ebenezer Obey clocked 80 on Sunday April 3, the celebrant took to his Instagram page to mark his day. He shared photos and captioned:

“The legend clocks 80 today. Thank God for the strength and thank you to the family and friends for their endless support”.

Ebenezer Obey was born Ebenezer Remilekun Aremu Olasupo Obey-Fabiyi in Idogo, Nigeria. He was nicknamed the Chief Commander. Obey is a Nigerian Juju musician who is of an Egba–Yoruba ethnic background and of the Owu subgroup of the Egba.

He was born on 3rd April 1942 in Idogo, Nigeria. Chief commander got married to his heartthrob, Juliana Olaide Olufade in 1963. They were married for 48 years before she passed on at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital on 23 August 2011 at the age of 67.

Career

Obey began his professional career as far back as the mid-1950s after moving to Lagos. After tutelage under Fatai Rolling-Dollar’s band, he formed a band called The International Brothers in 1964, playing highlife–jùjú fusion.The band later metamorphosed into Inter-Reformers in the early-1970s, with a long list of Juju album hits on the West African Decca musical label.

Obey began experimenting with Yoruba percussion style and expanding on the band by adding more drum kits, guitars, and talking drums. Obey’s musical strengths lie in weaving intricate Yoruba axioms into dance-floor compositions.

As is characteristic of Nigerian Yoruba social-circle music, the Inter-Reformers band excel in praise-singing for rich Nigerian socialites and business tycoons.

Obey, however, is also renowned for Christian spiritual themes in his music and has since the early-1990s retired into Nigerian gospel music ministry.

Many of Obey’s old songs are still widely known till today because they remain evergreen and relevant. Some popular musicians have also had remixes of his singles; like Music star Simi’s Aimasiko.

Some of his well known songs are:

1967- Olomi Gbo Temi

1968- Ore Mi E Si Pelepele

1969- Ode To Nso Eledumare

1973- And His Miliki Sound

1975- Mukulu Muke Maa Jo

1977- Eda To Mose Okunkun

1978- Igba Owuro Lawa

1987- Aimasiko

1994- I Am a Winner

2000- Promised Land

2002- Ase Oluwa

NOLLYWOODTIMES recalls celebrating Veteran Nollywood actor, Pete Edochie as he clocked 75.