Urhobo Music Is 21st Century Ready
An overview of Modern Urhobo music played by traditional exponents, Okpan Arhibo and King Enakpodia. The modern sound of the Isologu played by Lucky Adada. Read More “Urhobo Music Is 21st Century Ready “
Okpan Arhibo
A Song for Reassurance: Okpan Arhibo Verses
Songs have often come to the rescue of a distressed, pained or broken soul. Songs shine lights in darkness, offer hope when it is so far away, provide relief to untiring palaver. However, here the song gives reassurance amidst estrangement and confusion. Empathy is often rewarded as such. Read More “A Song for Reassurance: Okpan Arhibo Verses”
Okpan Arhibo: A Traditional Kind of Disco Music
Cameroonian musician Manu Dibango invented disco music out of the blue with his release of the phenomenal hit single record, Soul Makossa. The year was 1972, and it was a staggering feat from an unknown personality. The listening public could hear the instant break beats and jazz funk influences in the song. And the western musical instruments; the saxophone, drums, percussions, guitars (bass, acoustic and lead), and the piano. Soul Makossa took disc jockeys, clubbers, and everyday radio listeners in large numbers. It soon became a big favourite within the New York music scene and later the globe. The song’s core sensibility, as developed and perfected, came from somewhere; Africa. Around this time, other African musicians, Fela Kuti, Osibisa, Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, working within the same jazz funk paradigm, found instant fame and recognition as innovators on the world’s music scene. And Fela fashioned “Afrobeat” which soon became a distinct international music genre in its own right. Read More “Okpan Arhibo: A Traditional Kind of Disco Music”