Bio
Sakara
was the music of one Adamu from ilorin; who entertained elites
around Bamgbose Street, Lagos before Abibu Oluwa took it up, and
developed his own version to greater admiration of Lagosians.
With the dual position of Lagos as Federal Commercial Capital
and Centre of Excellence for black all over the world, Abibu Oluwa
won the hearts of not only the Kings, Kingmakers, Lagosians but
the entire black Africans with the knowledge and understanding
of Yoruba or Inagot
dialect. Even black Africans who were victims of 19th to 20th
Century trade left the shores of West Africa to Portugal, France,
Germany, Jamaica, United Kingdom, Canada, USA, Cuba, Brazil, Antilles,
Australia, etc, with the memories and music of the greatest Sakara
music maestro. Ever since, Europeans have turned Sakara music
to jazz. Goje to the whites is known as violin, while molo in
Sakara music is replaced by lead/rhythm guitar.
Abibu
Oluwa started his musical career in the 1930s till his death in
1964 - rumoured to have been caused through food poisoning. The
relations, members of late Abibu Oluwa, Sakara band and eminent
personalities of Lagos thereafter held a closed door meeting and
decided that Salami Balogun, the talking drummer, youngest in
the band, who has the same voice and pattern of play like the
late Abibu Oluwa should take over the band. Salami Alabi Balogun
was the third son of Alli, and Rabiat Balogun born in October
1913 at Idumota Lagos, was enlisted in the Royal Army and participated
in the war of Burma. It was in the Royal Army he had the knowledge
of Carpentry, Watch repairs and Barbing. On discharging from the
Royal Army, he worked briefly as a Carpenter with P.W.D - now
Federal Ministry of Works - and later with Woodrow. Salami Balogun
handled the large talking drum during his musical career under
Abibu Oluwa. Other members of late Abibu Oluwa band included Idowu,
Baba Mukaila, Joseph (Yussuf) Olatunju - among others, now dead.
Salami Balogun as a drummer was unrivaled and was given names
like Kokoro Kan Ilu Kan; One drum stick, One sound; One drumming,
One pound; Lefty; Diamond etc. Infact, his first album was released
in 1949 where he sang praises and paying tribute to his senior
sister Ashiawu, the first child of Alli Balogun. Lefty Balogun
was known as No 1 drummer of the era. His colleagues with PWD
football team preferred calling him Diamond, being an attacker/goalkeeper.
After the demise of late Abibu Oluwa, many other members deserted
the old band, among whom are Joseph later known as Yussuf Olatunji
(Baba Legba), Bameke, Idowu, Nosiru Ayeke, etc, leaving him with
only Baba Mukaila on calabash.
Day
by Day, the popularity of Lefty Balogun increased despite the
absence of other old members, then he created the best sakare
in the federation using the name Salami. Lefty Balogun became
a household name with over 36SP, EP, LP records and live performances
to his credit. Some of those who passed through the music legend
of all times include: Kawu Aminu, Saka Olayigbade and Sikiru Ayinde
Barrister Balogun. His records were released by Omo Aje Sound
Studio at No. 7, Ibomo Str. (off Agarawu Str.) Lagos, now baba
Laje Music on ADLP 1036, ADLP 1003, ADLPS 1048, ADLP 1069, ADLP
1043, OLPS 0273, ADLP 1036, OLPS 0236, HNL, HNC, OSS, OLPS 0061
etc. even if the indigenous promoter reluctantly refuses to pay
any royalty over the last twenty years on the reprints of his
dependants. Salami Balogun performed the holy prigilmage to Mecca
in 1975 and had over three dozen honorary chieftaincy title to
his credit. Alhaji Chief Salami Balogun Lefty, a father of fourteen
children namely: Amudalat, Lateef now Emmanuel, Rafiu (Deceased),
Ibraheem, Jamiu, Bashiru, Bilikisu, Ganiyu, Kehinde (Deceased),
Taiwo, Idowu, Alaba, Sherifat and Alhaji Mumuni, from six wives,
gained wider recognition by performing his music in Yoruba, English,
Hausa, and Tapa languages. Baba Federal was the Originator/Creator
of Eko Sakara System. At a time he started writing his songs,
planning to introduce sakara music in the universities. He was
said to have been accused of using Igunnuko masquerade drumming
never done before by any artist and also to have insulted eunuchs
in one of his debut albums. These unfounded allegations he defended
to no avail even if there were no video recordings of the musical
instruments used for the records at the Emi Studio. The other
was a mere story. Oh!, the harm was done. Thereafter, he fell
terribly, sick and being diagnosed of various ailments from place
to place. He departed this sinful worlds on Tuesday 29th December
1981. Lefty Balogun's death was said to have been caused by witchcraft
attack just like that of Olatunji Yussuf too. Baba Federal left
sakara music for those whore equal to the demands of millennium
sakara music because the problems of sakara music commences from
the unwillingness of multi-national music firms to promote local
talents; to Sakara music having special attractions, class, people
and study which young/modern promoters fail to identify;and also
Saka music being seen as a low foreign exchange earner.
Since
the death of the father of them all, Abibu Oluwa, other great
artistes like Samuel Aka, Ojindo, Yussuf (Joseph) Olatunji, Nosiru
Ayeke, and the most talented Alhaji Salami Balogun Lefty, there
exists a great vacuum in sakara music circles at home and abroad.
Over 80% of fuji music artistes are feeding on the works of Lefty
Balogun. It is easily said that no fuji artistes rose to the top
without the use, a re-mix or touch of the best sakara music in
the Federation created by Alhaji Chief Salami Alabi Balogun Lefty,
but they cannot play sakara music. The vacuum is now filled by
the ever dynamic prince of sakara music Jamiu, one of the sons
of late Salami Lefty Balogun who was trained/taught by his late
father along with some of his junior brothers who have all vowed
to keep alive the music of their father and Yoruba Culture in
particular. As Lefty Balogun leads, so also Jamiu Balogun leads
and others follow. As the music continued, Bilikisu, one of the
daughter of late Alhaji Salami LEFTY Balogun and Wosilat Balogun,
married one Mr Fatai Alade Ojutiku after the death of the guru.
New days, New stars were given birth to (four boys) AZEEZ, GANIU,
YUSSUF AND SULTAN. As time passed by
the spirit of music entered Azeez but into the modern music Hip-hop
/ Reggae / Dancehall in 1994 - as friends and family call him
O-jay and Kash. Azeez
Olanrewaju Ojutiku (A.K.A Kash) schoolled at Lolly Day Nursery
School, Command Children School, and Methodist Boys High School
respectively. He joined the music race as a supporting act to
his cousin group D-L-B [who came back from Canada] in 1994/95
till they broke-up due to the none recognition of hip hop/rap
music then in Nigeria. As time counts, he gets featured by Squards
Artistes Groups; performs at exclusive concerts as a musician,
songwriter, lyricist, producer, c-e-o
lyrical kingdom project [prolific music inc, entertainment empire,
code 11 wear, etc], broadcaster, actor, etc. So watch-out for
more info on KASH (the grandson of late Alhaji Salami LEFTY Balogun)
As his album hits the world billboard music.
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