Hi Folks,
Weekends offer an opportunity to catch on a number of activities.
This Saturday I like to take you into the anals of Saje Fuji music from Nigeria. If you are Yoruba l, it will make some sense to you.
To those who were already adults by mid-eighties in Ìbàdàn, the name Gbejo Kamoru might ring a bell.
Thinking of GBEJO Kamoru these days is a blessed memory mixed with some memories of sadness considering his short sojourn on this earth.
GBEJO’s short stay on this plane can be likened to the sorrowful pains in the memory of that vocal hip-hop artist DAGRIN.
The similarity between the duo, GBEJO and DAGRIN, can never be assumed as a mere coincidence. Perhaps God knew much better, because both of them died at the beginning of their ascension to stardom in their musical careers.
In the late 80s, from the street of Idikan up to Oopo-Yẹọ̀sa, Inalende, Bẹẹrẹ, Agbeni, Oje and all through Ibadan and across the western part of this country, you would never have an easy ride whenever GBEJO Kamoru was rocking his gig.
Whenever GBEJO played with his band, it was always a moment to be remembered for his graceful artistic performance, and for series of gangster-like movements and several vocal jabs that were capable of melting down your sorrow right under your noses, before you even know it.
GBEJO, popularly called Ọba Gbàsọ̀ was truly endowed. Till today, I can still remember the following lines in my head:
Ẹ w’ọmọ kọ̀ndọ́ktọ̀ tó f’aya illegal,
Ẹ ma da’a lẹkun janmọ mi,
Ni se lo ma bí’mọ Orebe,
Awon ọmọ Orebekumọ̀ lo n y’ọmọ yada-yọ̀be,
Awon ọmọ yada-yọ̀be lo n y’ọmọ t’abọn-t’ọbon.,.
Káàkí olóhùn árère,
Atawẹ́wẹ́ mó gbódu de o,
Káàkí olóhùn árère……
The most prominent among his band boys was Kalarunmọ. Kalarunmọ’s falsetto was second to none, he always added his melodious vocal support in the back-up for GBEJO during their musical shows, just like Awoko is currently doing behind Pasuma Wonder these days.
Kalarunmọ was a demigod among GBEJO’s band boys at that time.
GBEJO Kamoru’s life was a sudden eclipse to stardom in the history of Fuji music in Yoruba land. The Ijebu born SAJẸ Fuji exponent was endowed with gifts of creative dance-steps and unbeatable musical prowess.
His demise almost marked the end of the propagation of SAJẸ music at that time.
Though he hit the streets and queued behind Lateef ILỌ̀RI who invented SAJẸ genre.
Truly, for those who knew Lateef ILỌ́RI of Fuji Tutuye, ILỌ̀RI was the real founder, purveyor and first exponent of SAJẸ Fuji Music, no doubt about that, but ILỌ̀RI never waited to see the glory of his musical evangelization.
ILỌ̀RI died and SAJẸ Fuji nearly died with him, though the likes of GBEJO Kamoru who had a stronghold in Ibadan, tried hard to revive SAJẸ but again, his own sudden death in August 1996 landed a death blow on his struggle.
GBEJO’s death came when it was least expected, he had gone to perform a series of marathon gigs with his band in Kaduna and slumped during one of his performances, he was said to have vomited so much blood that he died there and then.
GBEJO’s stardom plunged into the sacred bin of history like candle in the wind.
The return of his corpse from the North, plunged the entire land of Ibadan into deep grief, the streets of Idikan, Abebi, Sapati and Opoo-Yeọ̀sa were wet with the tears of fans and well wishers.
To some of his admirers, GBEJO’s death wasn’t really an act of God, some said it was a result of the works of higher terrestrial forces.
It seemed his death was going to be the end of SAJẸ fuji music at that time.
Gbejo probably had a record title of which was not available at the time of writing this letter.
Kalarunmọ tried hard to blow the horn after the demise of his boss to no avail.
The likes of Jingosa of Inalende, Ayinla Karashi of Beere and Rashidi Merenge of Isale Osi, all in Ibadan, struggled hard to take the baton of SAJẸ leadership from Kalarunmọ, and none but only Rashidi Ayinde managed to pull through.
However, Abass Akande Obesere, who, to many people, was ILỌ̀RI’s incarnate must be commended for singlehandedly resuscitating SAJẸ fuji music after ILỌ̀RI and GBEJO’s untimely death.
Do you remember Gbejo Kamoru or have experienced his music? Please share with us.
If you will be partying today, don’t party too hard. Remember to make someone happy today, through your acts of kindness.
Yours,
Ilupeju B
Courtesy AyonlaAuthentiq