Professor Obatunde Adetola, a Professor of Sociology of Development at Olabisi Onabajo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, has described Fuji Icon, Dr. Saheed Osupa as an enigmatic philosophical singer.
Prof. Adetola, who was attracted to Osupa kind of music remarked that the fuji maestro does not just put musical instruments together to make noise, but make his music to have depth.
He also said his music cut across all generations, saying his music appeals to people that has intellectual insight, people that have moral and traditional passion about how society should actually looks like.
The university don hinted that Osupa kind of music appealed to somebody like him because the society has degenerated from good or positive to more of negativity today, adding that for Osupa to stand out among many others to continue to emphasize morality within the decadence of society is commendable.
“That alone caught my attention and I listen to his music, and use it especially whenever I want to teach sociology of music. I have been following his kind of music especially since the demise of Dr. Sikiru Ayinde Barrister.
“Between two of them, Ayinde Barrister represented the earliest generations of fuji, he was indeed the creator of fuji, and Osupa is the contemporary. I think he is fits into that position.
“By my own assessment he is the King of Fuji music in Africa and the world because of the depth he has, and if you are interested in the progress development of any society using music, I think the kind of music Osupa is force to be reckoned with.
When asked how Osupa and Prof were linked together, he said ‘I happened to meet Rafiu Alarape, when I was the private secretary to former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel (OGD). I sometimes journeyed along with him in my car whenever I was going to work. I think it was on one of such occasion that Rafiu got to know my interest in Osupa’s music’ and he was the link for the meeting of today.
“What connected us was the depth of philosophical and poetic expressions in his music. I may not be a good dancer, mostly I nodded my head whenever I listened to his music. “Whenever I nod, I heard those philosophical words and it give me a deep sense of appreciation about the rich Yoruba culture. On the reason for the book project, Osupa emphasized ‘Kikolorin ko dabi kakosile i.e. to him documentation through books last longer beyond the life time of the singer’.
“What we are doing is beyond Yoruba culture, it is only that it came in through to Yoruba culture. That is why we titled it ‘Adventure into African Culture through Fuji Music,’ by power of God, I believe we are going to achieve it for the good of our society and for the posterity. Osupa will have his name written in gold so that generations that comes afterwards will know somebody came and impacted the society tremendously.
Meanwhile, in his response, the elated Dr. Saheed Osupa appreciated the university professor for his words of encouragement, noting that meeting him would inspire him to do more for his teeming fans and youths in Nigeria.
In the same vein, Special Adviser to Governor HE. Dapo Abiodun MFR on Youths and Sports, Olamide Lawal thanked Professor Adetola for developing interest in Osupa’s music, in spite of his academic exploits.
Adding that Professor Adetola’s love for Yoruba music, especially Saheed Osupa kind of music distinguished him among his colleagues as a promoter of Yoruba culture.
“Well thank you very much like and I do believe that using some personality as inspiration, their lifestyle, or the way they have lived their lives will influence younger ones in the right part if it well channeled.
”That’s why when we are glad about this discussions and we feel that being someone that sings philosophical songs, we can also translate that into intellectual community, whereby the young ones can learn from it.
“It will also promote African culture, and it will also promote the talent. The impact is going have on the youth, will influence them also help them to determine their talent,” he opined.
