Cold war between fuji star Obesere and music promoter, Tope Esan

Abass Akande Obesere

Following a statement by an Ibadan-based music promoter, Mr Tope Esan, claiming he discovered fuji musician, Abass Akande Obesere, and helped his music to receive wide acceptance when he brought him for a show in Ibadan in 1994 for the first time, Obesere’s siblings have countered the claims.

According to his elder brother who is based in the United State, Mr Gbadegesin Ajalaruru, “As the elder brother to Obesere, l am aware of the steady rise of my brother. Obesere had already be known and had been visiting Ibadan before 1994. He started his career in 1992 and he had gained his popularity, even outside Ibadan, with his popular hits “Introduction and Asakasa”.

“The first place Obesere performed in Ibadan was at the Green Springs hotel and at NTA and it was Marvin Giwa that discovered and produced Obesere’s first two records. Moreso, he had been to Ibadan several times far back in 1993. I guess something must be wrong if Tope Esan could say he was not aware that Obesere had been around even before 1993 in Ibadan and he had taken his music beyond the shores of the country.”

Corroborating Ajalaruru’s statements, another brother of the fuji maestro, Mr Kazeem Adeleke, said the music promoter was being economical with the truth, stating that “Obesere had his first album, “Introduction”, in August 1992.I personally handed the records over to a broadcaster, Mr Laolu Olatunbosun then at the, Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) along with a brother, who is now late. It was later played on the radio on an afternoon programme anchored by Mr Olalomi Amole and Mr Segun Durodola.”

“Abass followed with “Mr Magic” and by 1994, Abass had become a household name.I remember the Adamasingba show referred to by Esan. We all know you can’t take an under dog musician to Adamasingba stadium for a commercial show. And definitely Abass had had several shows in Ibadan before then. I can count fleet of exotic cars that he had then. And he had moved from Ebute Meta to Jakande Estate, which is an abode that is also not for up and coming musician.”

Tope Esan

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About Unknown

Deji Sadiq, a.k.a DEJI OF LAGOS is a LASU trained Economist turned freelance journalist, a Blogger, an information strategist, a public affairs analyst and a committed activist with a passion for equal opportunities.