Osita Osadebe (1936-2007), Nigeria’s King of Highlife,

Osita Osadebe (1936-2007), Nigeria’s King of Highlife, pioneered the transformation of the traditional Igbo singing style into highlife. Osadebe’s highlife combined the call and answer repertoire, with a fast rhythm that stimulates dance. His music was generally for entertainment, earning him the title, “Doctor of Hypertension.” As he matured as a musician, the theme of his songs shifted to social issues and the challenges he faced in life.

A prolific composer, Osadebe wrote about 500 songs. But the strength of his genius was that he handled every single aspect of his music production from composing to the live performances. This according to Osadebe was because of the lack of music directors and producers at the time. “It was basically a one-man effort,” he said in an interview. “I compose my songs, write the baseline, arrange, write my lyrics, vocals and conduct the band.”

Many of his songs like ‘Nwanne m ebizina‘ (Brother stop crying) or ‘Makojo‘ [anyi ga-ebi] (No matter how bad things are, [we will continue to live]) offers hope in the face of difficulties. One of his most evergreen hits ‘Osondi, Owendi,’ encapsulates philosophical wisdom, enriched with Igbo proverbs:

Ife sozili onye sozi chi yá/ Na enu uwa nke a anyi no nu/ O bu onye ka zi Chukwu/
O gbanari chi ya na oso nu/ O na ebukwa chi ya uzo anaba nu/ Ife na aso gi/
Okwazi ya na aso zi onye ozo nu/ Mana afa egwu a m na etizi nu/ Osondi owendi
Maka Ka Ife uwa aso ndi ufodu nu/ Etu a Ka o na ewezi ndi ufodu/
Osondi owendi/ Osondi owendi/ Osondi owendi/ Osondi owendi/ Osondi owendi