Greetings!
For some time now in the Nigerian music scene, the highlife genre (especially the Igbo variant, which is highly celebrated) fused with afrobeat has been producing some remarkable songs. However, it’s disheartening that these songs often fail to chart as prominently as those by overly famous artists.
Some years ago, a team of four collaborated to create an exceptionally rich and entertaining blend of highlife and afro music. The song, Egedege, originally owned by Larry Gaga, is a remix of an ancient hit by Theresa Onuorah. The track was well-celebrated, not only for its musical quality but also for its visual representation. The video featured notable Nollywood icons and showcased the cultural richness of the Igbo people, including the use of traditional masquerades.
In Egedege, Larry Gaga featured Theresa Onuorah, who brought her classic, unmistakable voice to the song. Her contribution was just as iconic as it was in the original track. Phyno, who took on the rap segment, added the afrobeat flavor to the song. However, in my opinion, his part felt a bit disconnected from the overall vibe. Even though he rapped in native Igbo, it sounded too modern or foreign compared to the song’s traditional essence. Flavour, as expected, delivered flawlessly, elevating the melody with his professional and emotive singing style. The song, as a whole, celebrated Igbo culture from start to finish.
Fast forward to two months ago, the same group came together again. Many of us assumed they might flop by repeating the same pattern of music. But to our surprise, they delivered a masterpiece in "Obodo". Yes, that’s the title of the song, owned by Larry Gaga, featuring Theresa Onuorah, Phyno, and Flavour.
This time, Phyno’s contribution was well-crafted and perfectly aligned with the song's theme. Although he still rapped, his part felt more polished and purposeful compared to his performance in Egedege. Theresa Onuorah, as always, was outstanding. Her voice and delivery on the chorus were incredibly energizing, reminding listeners of her legendary status. Her performance also underscores the fact that she was a major force in her prime, though the times back then didn’t offer artists the fame and recognition we see today. Flavour, unsurprisingly, nailed his part with exceptional finesse, showcasing his immense talent.
The video for Obodo is simply exceptional. The cultural displays are top-notch, and the video producer deserves accolades for a job well done.
Following the success of these tracks, Kcee, a prominent artist in the Nigerian music industry, decided to join the trend by featuring the legendary Theresa Onuorah. Together, they released "Champion". However, even before its release, the song faced heavy criticism for being perceived as a copycat attempt. Initially, I thought the backlash was unfair, but after watching the video and listening to the song, I understood the criticism.
While the video was decent, the song itself, especially Kcee’s part, felt misaligned with the highlife-afrobeat fusion. His delivery did not seamlessly fit into the song’s pattern, making it less impactful compared to Egedege and Obodo. I wrote about this (Hype, promotion and honest criticism) last week and mentioned I would revisit it for a proper comparison.
Now, looking at the three songs—Egedege, Obodo, and Champion—it’s evident which one falls short. To non-Nigerians, the differences might not be immediately apparent. But for those of us deeply immersed in music, it’s clear what works and what doesn’t.
Thanks for reading.
Video source: YouTube
Thumbnail source: Freepik