CHIEF OBAFEMI AWOLOWO

Three Afrobeats artistes have paid homage to the late sage and former premier of the defunct Western region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

In one of his numerous hedonism tinged tracks, “Awolowo.” In the song, singer BOJ talks about his love for money which is symbolized by Awolowo—a reference to the one hundred naira note which carries the picture of Obafemi Awolowo. In the hook, he said “Mon fa cigar, mon GBA’wo lowo

Mon jaiye lo/mon fagbo lowo (ye)/ Mon GBA’wo lowo, GBA’wo gba ‘wo gba ‘wo.

The Port Harcourt raised, Omah Lay, co-opted the name of Obafemi Awolowo into his lyrics while he was talking about his womanizing tendency. On “Ye Ye Ye," he hums “Obafemi Awolowo/ If the girl say she be virgin, Mi I know follow”. Obafemi Awolowo as used in this context is a reference to one one hundred naira note, a way of restating his hundred percent non interest in virgins.

Veteran rapper, A-Q, gave a shout out to Obafemi Awolowo on Martell Cypher 2 when he raps “ Before Independence and Awolowo became distinguished,” Distinguished as used in this context means Honourable–Awo was a federalist.

Chief Obafemi Awolowo passed on in 1987.

Emmanuel Daraloye