Ayodeji Balogun, aka Wizkid; and David Adeleke, aka Davido, are two young talented artistes of about the same age making waves on the music scene. Their music has travelled beyond borders, and both artistes have hosted sold-out shows in different parts of the world, including London (United Kingdom) and New York (United States of America).
Rivalries between artistes are practically as old as the music industry itself. TOFARATI IGE takes a look at how some of these fierce competitions have played out over the years, and how they have shaped the industry
“Ebenezer Obey had always been my favourite musician. I was an avid fan of his and everyone close to me knew that. In those days, whenever he released any new record (album), I was always one of the first people to get it,” were the opening words of 73-year-old Jonathan Olaoye, a fan of juju music.
The septugenarian became increasingly animated as he recalled a particular incident between him and a late friend to Saturday PUNCH.
“Because of my love for Obey, I could not stand anybody speaking ill of him for whatever reason. As a matter of fact, I actually lost a friendship because of that issue,” he added.
With his demeanour dampening visibly, he continued, “About 40 years ago, a colleague and friend of mine was as passionate about King Sunny Ade as I was enamoured with Obey. Each of us believed that our favourite was the greatest musician of all time.
“Most times, whenever we were with our other friends, we would tease each other about Obey and KSA. Sometimes, tempers would flare but things never escalated beyond that. However, on a particular day, probably as a result of pent up anger and some other unresolved issues, we got into a fight over which of both artistes was better. The argument later degenerated into us abusing each other. We both said things we shouldn’t have said, and despite the intervention of our friends, we kept on shouting and lambasting each other. After that night, I stopped talking to him, and vice-versa.
“Sadly, he passed on some months after that incident without us reconciling. Whenever I remember him, I always feel sad, because the musicians we were fighting over did not even know us.”
The story of Olaoye is an example of how emotional and passionate people can get in showing their love for their favourite artistes.
However, decades after the fight between Olaoye and his friend, many music lovers are still caught in the web of rivalries between their preferred artistes. Over the years, the vibrant Nigerian music industry has not had a shortage of such rivalries between musicians.
Unarguably two of the biggest juju musicians Nigeria has ever produced, the duo of Sunday Adegeye (King Sunny Ade) and Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi, has been on the entertainment scene for decades, and they both still release songs and perform at events. Obey turned 81 some days ago, while KSA is 76 years old.
Obey began his music career in the late 1950s, and he has since released over 50 albums, with many of them containing evergreen songs that still resonate with generations that were not even born when the tracks were made.
On the other hand, KSA formed his music band in 1967. And, with over 123 albums in his repertoire, it is not out of place that he is called the ‘king of world music’.
By virtue of their popularity and wide acceptance, it was not altogether surprising that both were caught in a web of public rivalry for some time.
Over the years, the duo had stated that there was no bad blood between them. But, some diehard fans still choose to believe otherwise.
At an event about three years ago, Obey had reiterated that the ‘fight’ between him and KSA was majorly the creation of fans. He said, “The competition between me and KSA was projected by fans and the media. It almost turned our music into politics.
“Every time, it was ‘Obey this, Sunny that’. We both always ensured that we neutralised all that fake rivalry. That is why I always say that musicians should not see themselves as competitors, but as contributors to the growth of the Nigerian music industry.”
Echoing Obey’s response, KSA told Saturday PUNCH that fans were at the root of their purported rift. He however admitted that at some points, he and Obey also pretended to be fighting. He said, “It was fans that believed we were always fighting. Obey and I had been friends since we began our bands, and we are still friends. He started his band a year before mine. Also, we pretended to be fighting in order for our fans to enjoy our music more. Then, we used to play at night clubs, and where he was playing was not far from where I played. I recall that the fans would go and disrupt his band, and later come to disturb us too. One day, I went to his (Obey) house to meet him behind closed doors. I asked him how we could manage the situation, and he also asked for my suggestion. We both agreed to change the date of our performances at the club. He chose Thursdays while I maintained Wednesdays. Later, we also pretended to our seniors that we had a misunderstanding, so I invited Pa IK Dairo, Haruna Ishola, Adeolu Akinsanya and two others, to help settle the rift. For a long time, to avoid clashes between our fans, if I had a show, I would ask (the organisers) if Ebenezer Obey was going to be there. If they said ‘yes’, I would not honour the invitation; and that was the same thing he (Obey) did too. Our elders then told us there should be no more fights between us, and we should make records to appease our fans. So, when I sang, he replied too. As the two of us were holding the meeting in his house, we just heard a bang on the door and somebody— the late Olabisi Ajala(a journalist, globetrotter and writer)— was shouting that, so the two of us were friends, and we were pretending otherwise. We did not open the door, but we had already agreed on how we would be doing things from then on. I have to thank God for his (Obey) life, because he later got a call from God and became a cleric. The bottom line is that we have always been friends. We also advise the young musicians that they don’t need to fight or destroy one another’s shows because of unnecessary rivalry.”
Speaking at another event in Lagos, Obey had urged musicians to eschew bitter rivalries. He said, “Musicians must not see themselves as competitors. I won’t ever stop saying this, because it is a piece of priceless advice.
“Musicians must appreciate one another, because God has given every one of them gifts and talents. These talents can never be the same, no matter how hard they try. Even if we play the same kind of music, it can never be the same.”
However, when Saturday PUNCH reached out to Obey for more comments, he declined to speak about it further. According to him, at 81, he wanted to be a father figure, and not want to say that could be misconstrued.
A popular juju musician, Peter Akorede, aka Emperor Pick Peters, had countless fans in his heydays, as his songs were enjoyed by many. Needless to say that he was one of the raves of the moment in the 70s and 80s.
However, one of the most notable highlights of Peters’ career was the perceived rivalry between him and juju maestro, KSA. But, in an interview some years ago, Peters stated emphatically that he never fought with KSA.
According to him, after KSA released an album titled, ‘E K’ilo F’omo Ode’ (Warn the son of the Hunter), many of his fans told him that the song was directed at him. Prior to that time, Peters had come into the industry, proclaiming that he was the son of a hunter (omo ode); so it was not surprising that many fans believed that KSA’s song was targeted at him.
Narrating what had transpired between him and KSA up to that point, Picks stated in an interview that he had informed the latter of his intention to join a company owned by the late Bolarinwa Abioro, who was KSA’s uncle. He added that KSA promised to assist him, and he (Peters) told the former to advise Abioro to buy him a Volkswagen bus (danfo), to convey his musical equipment; not knowing that there was a crisis between KSA and Abioro.
In his words, “I decided to go to the studio after an album released by King Sunny Ade titled ‘E k’ilo f’omo Ode. Let me tell you the truth about that song; KSA is not the original owner. It was Ambrose Campbell (a highlife and juju musician)’s song.
“However, all the stories that I was fighting him (KSA) did not hold water. KSA is my brother and friend. We were together when he was living in a rented apartment. I used to go to his house; and his late wife, Yetunde, used to cook for us.”
Asked to define his current relationship with KSA, he said simply, “It is as cordial as ever. If I want to see him now, I will see him. We are very cordial friends.”
It is pertinent to note that at all the records they made during that time were massively bought by fans.
Amidst the raging brouhaha, Peters was also locked in a ‘battle’ with his former band mate, Dele Abiodun.
Recalling the genesis of their crisis, he said, “It started in 1975, when I was to play with Dele Abiodun at a funeral at the Ita Faaji area of Lagos Island. Abiodun was there before me, because I had an earlier show in Ogun State. On getting there, we exchanged greetings. We drank and ate together, and agreed to play for one hour each. But, my friend mounted the stage and started abusing me. It was at that event he debuted his popular track, ‘O jebi o jebi Omo Ode’ (The Son of the Hunter is Guilty).”