In this special dedication edition, we celebrate a musical colossus; a great composer/producer and arranger, whose musical recordings are timeless, melodious, and forever relevant. We also look at his passion, style, and other qualities that have made the man who he is.
Music: Most fans agree that most of Chief Obey’s recordings are timeless, which makes him a true Evergreen Superstar. His lyrics address questions of social justice, love, joy, sorrow, victory, pain, betrayal, you name it.
Obey is the Shakespeare of Yoruba popular music. His epigrammatic compositions cover all aspects of human nature and their relevance to all cultures, ages, and dispensations cannot be disputed. The Commander’s songs interpret the true meaning of existence in a very deep, inspiring way no singer has been able to do.
In those days, musical recordings were not titled. They were usually multi-track. A reviewer had to pick one popular track to refer to albums that were identified then by volume numberings. So, most of Obey’s songs, save for the titled albums like “Adventure of Mr. Wise”, Board Members, one of his biggest hits, and the evergreen, Keresimesi (Christmas Special).
His vast discography should boast over 100 long-playing albums, apart from singles and extended playing records. Obey’s music started as Juju/highlife. Songs like Olo mi gbo, temi”, “Paulina”, “Iba fun Eledumare and several other best hit singles were in this mold. This went on through the golden ‘70s with hundreds of songs like “Eko Ila”, etc. The 70s and early 80s should be the peak of Obey’s career, but his relevance is assured because of the timeless nature of his songs.
PASSION: From my interaction with the man we now call Baba Obey on account of his age; the superstar has a passion for excellence and propriety. He’s very conscious of his image and hard-earned reputation.
Obey carries himself with regal grace, and given his huge frame, looks like a traditional ruler when fully dressed in Yoruba complete agbada attire. Obliviously, he’s a power dresser. A chubby-cheek dandy that he is, as a youth, he certainly must have been a lady–killer
Overall, he is passionate about his music, his commitment to Jesus Christ, and his family.
STYLE: Every celebrity has a style. Obey has been in the highlight for 65 years without a single scandal because he knows how to manage his private affairs as a public figure. He is a bit laid back as a person, but always firmly in control of his business, environment, and family.
In terms of dressing, he definitely exudes a load of class and style. Obey prefers the Yoruba traditional Kaftan, and for formal occasions, the complete agbada. He dressed to kill when necessary. On stage, he prefers the Kaftan.
A teetotaler, the commander drinks Soda water and nothing more. Unlike many musicians, Obey doesn’t smoke. Whenever I saw him eating, it was usually beans. He eats little. So, his huge frame or near obese nature isn’t because of a lack of discipline. It has to do with nature.
This tendency has been inherited by his son, Pastor Folarin Obey, and his own son, (i.e Folarin’s) Timi Obey, also a musician, who looks like a Sumo writer. In the 70s Chief Obey battled weight problems and it took a long while before the overcome them.
When it comes to music, Obey style is unmistakable. He’s a wonderful song stylish lyricist. None of his peers come close to him in this area. Soulful, and versatile, he could sing in the low and high upper register and in different octaves. He is also endowed with good diction. Obey sings in his native Yoruba and Egba dialects, but on occasion, or as the moment demands, he could sing in broken English. He is at home with a dirge, songs of praise, which is his forte, and street snipes when necessary.
GOSPEL: Despite being a social musician, Obey music has always taught us about the Salvation and the morals of the Christian faith. His orientation as an Evangelist only confirmed what we already know about his calling as a messenger of Christ.
His own vineyard is the field of music; at owanbe parties, concert halls, churches, and anywhere gathering where there’s merriment. An unbelievable could get converted by just listening to obey’s inspirational music. His use of the Psalms is exceptional and quite didactic.
Obey is a philosopher, gospel preacher, and servant of God with a voice that is both melodious and believable.
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