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Evergreen music to celebrate Dele Ojo’s contributions, 55 years on Stage

By Eniola Daniel
23 April 2016   |   2:12 am
The book of remembrance was on Tuesday opened for the Juju highlife King, Evangelist Dele Ojo, when Evergreen Musical Company limited picked him as one of the artistes to be honoured on May 15...
Edaoto (left) and Dele Ojo

Edaoto (left) and Dele Ojo

The book of remembrance was on Tuesday opened for the Juju highlife King, Evangelist Dele Ojo, when Evergreen Musical Company limited picked him as one of the artistes to be honoured on May 15, at the Lagos City Hall.

With this coming for the 76-year old evangelist, he becomes the sixth artistes after Victor Olaiya, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Orlando Julius, Chris Ajulo and Crossdale Juba that would be so recognized and celebrated in the company’s ‘the last of the original project.’

The project, according to chairman of the music promoting and distributing company, Femi Esho, was conceptualised to revive, rejuvenate, sustain and promote sounds that are produced and created by Africans for the African continent and the world at large.

He said: “The project provides platform that blends the new generation sounds with the older generations, while reawakening the yearnings for music that focuses on African values and heritage.”

This maiden edition spotlights Dele Ojo, a man rated among the first three best juju musicians in Nigeria. The juju highlife maestro is acknowledged for introducing the bass guitar into the juju music genre. His popular tunes, includes Iya Ni Wura, Terena, Bouncing Burner and others.

Aside this, Evangelist Ojo would also be celebrated for his 55 years on stage.

The event tagged, “Dele Ojo, 55 Years of Juju Highlife Maestro on Stage,” will witness the unveiling of Ojo’s music compilation and exhibition. The event will also see some new generation artistes such as Brymo, Simi, Edaoto and Topsticks perform on stage. One of the creators of African Sound, Chief Ebenezer Obey will equally grace the stage.

Speaking on the honour, thespian Tunji Shotimirin, frowned at the kind of songs produced by current Nigerian artistes, saying the songs lack inspiration. According to him, Dele Ojo and other old generation artistes used music to unite the people, uplift souls and make life worth living. He noted that the old generation artistes were successful because they listened and learned from somebody; they are not like today’s artistes that rush into the studio and produce anything they like, which is the reason their songs die within a year.

On her part, Bimbo Esho, said, “juju music is still relevant to our generation. It is a music genre that is good for telling history. Dele Ojo is one of Nigeria’s unsung music legends. We are here today to tell the world that he is still alive and waxing strong with his music,” she said.

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