The late legendary Sakara musician, Yusuf Olatunji who passed in 1978 must be smiling in his grave following the emergence of his grandson Abideen Olatunji, who took up the challenges for the music to remain relevant globally till date.
Penpushing reports that Sakara is arguably the oldest commercial music among the indigenous Yoruba people of Western Nigeria, which the late Olatunji brought to limelight during his life time.
The deceased began his music career in the 1920s, while the cultural essence of the genre can be appreciated in its deep philosophical lyrics and solemn percussion, which relies on a wide range of indigenous musical instruments.
Penpushing further reports that Olatunji stood tall among scores of his contemporaries, exhibiting his dexterity on the Goje string, song composing skills while he released number of records which dominated social circle.
The late Sakara music icon popularly called Baba Legba, produced the first LP Vinyl Record in Nigeria, and was the first Chairman of Musicians Association of Nigeria (MAN), now known as Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN).
Penpushing also reports that following his demise, Sakara music was almost going into extinction, as number of his contemporaries and mentees died thereafter, but one of his grandsons, Abideen took up the challenges and brought the music back to global reckoning
The declining fortunes of Sakara music was reversed in 2000 by the grandson, while his sudden appearance on the music stage was a prayer answered for millions of Sakara music fans across the globe.
Penpushing reports that the bloodline of the young Sakara czar with the foremost frontrunner of the genre, was greeted with enthusiasm, and 25 years after, Abideen has not disappointed, as he keeps the flames of Sakara burning as the current leader of the genre.
The talented young Sakara musician as part of his crusade to restore the old glory of the music and showcase it to the world for cross-cultural appreciation has trained many upcoming Sakara musicians and presents masterclasses on the genre to music departments of Nigerian universities, while he equally has 4 LPs and several singles to his credit.
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