Sonny Okosun (sometimes called "Sonny Okosuns"), who hails from the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, started his first band, the Postmen, in 1964, then served several years in the group of Victor Uwaifo before launching Paperback Ltd. (soon renamed Ozziddi) in 1972.
Ozziddi's first few releases, with their catchy, rock-inflected melodies and topical lyrics were all big hits in Nigeria, but 1977's "Fire in Soweto" really put Okosun on the map internationally. Further attention came in the early eighties with the release of "Liberation," a "best-of" compilation on the American Shanachie label, and a number of international tours.
Okosun's supposed "controversial" lyrics in the 1970s and 1980s about South Africa and the plight of the Third World were actually not at all radical in the African context. In this regard it is interesting to compare Okosun's career with that of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti , who faced genuine hardship as a result of his pointed attacks on the Nigerian elite.
Sonny Okosun's career faded in the late 1980s, but the singer roared back in 1994 with the smash gospel album "Songs of Praise," which won a number of Nigerian music awards. Since then, "Evangelist Sonny Okosuns" has ridden a wave of Christian evangelism in Nigeria to become that country's foremost gospel musician, with a growing fan base in other parts of the world.
Sonny Okosun towers among the giants of contemporary Nigerian music -- assigning his signature fusion of reggae, highlife, Afro-funk, and traditional melodies and rhythms the catchall description "ozziddi" (or "message"), he tackled head-on the most incendiary political and social issues gripping the African continent.
http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/the-gospel-of-ozziddi/id338061376Ozziddi's first few releases, with their catchy, rock-inflected melodies and topical lyrics were all big hits in Nigeria, but 1977's "Fire in Soweto" really put Okosun on the map internationally. Further attention came in the early eighties with the release of "Liberation," a "best-of" compilation on the American Shanachie label, and a number of international tours.
Okosun's supposed "controversial" lyrics in the 1970s and 1980s about South Africa and the plight of the Third World were actually not at all radical in the African context. In this regard it is interesting to compare Okosun's career with that of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti , who faced genuine hardship as a result of his pointed attacks on the Nigerian elite.
Sonny Okosun's career faded in the late 1980s, but the singer roared back in 1994 with the smash gospel album "Songs of Praise," which won a number of Nigerian music awards. Since then, "Evangelist Sonny Okosuns" has ridden a wave of Christian evangelism in Nigeria to become that country's foremost gospel musician, with a growing fan base in other parts of the world.
Sonny Okosun towers among the giants of contemporary Nigerian music -- assigning his signature fusion of reggae, highlife, Afro-funk, and traditional melodies and rhythms the catchall description "ozziddi" (or "message"), he tackled head-on the most incendiary political and social issues gripping the African continent.
Sonny Okosun – Ozziddi For Sale
No comments:
Post a Comment