I first met Orlando Julius in my days as the anchor of the Punch entertainment column, Saturday Highlife.
He was, along with Fela, Segun Bucknor, and Monomono, the leading music stars in the musical genre that later became popularly known as Afrobeat because of Fela’s obvious dominance after a succession of hit records like Jeun Koku, Lady, Shakara, Gentleman, Palavar, Zombie, Ojuelegba, etc.
Even at that, the other artistes held their own, although Fela became more prominent when he started fighting the government, using protest/abusive songs that openly antagonized top government officials and the armed services, especially the Army and Police.
Orlando suddenly travelled to the United States to settle and start a career abroad, like Monomono, an action that left the field free for Fela to dominate completely. If Orlando hadn’t left to settle abroad where his impact wasn’t felt at home, he probably would have been bigger than what he was before his death at 79.
Fela died at 58, and before then, he literally abandoned playing real Afrobeat music but reduced his sound to abusive songs that targeted corrupt government officials.
Were Orlando here, his own brand of Afrobeat, equally sweet, excellent, and more appealing to mainstream fans, would have been far more successful than he was at his death.
Nevertheless, one cool afternoon, Orlando made a surprised visit whilst I was home at Ikeja in the early ’80s. He was the first and only star of that standing to visit me at home, which says a lot about his humility.
We discussed his music and the industry at that time and I was impressed with his devotion to his art and vision. He wanted a wider appreciation for Nigerian music, which was probably why he relocated abroad at some point.
Musically, he was a very talented musician; a creative and original star whose contributions to the development of Nigerian music would forever be remembered.
Whether he created Afrobeat music or not is not important. After all, nobody knows the creator of reggae music but Bob Marley was exalted above other reggae musicians.
Orlando Julius Ekemode was one of those stand-alone icons who must be adored for what they did.
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