Ebenezer Remilekun Aremu Olasupo Obey-Fabiyi with a band name Ebenezer Obey is a Juju music legend. Obey was born on April 3, 1942, to an Egba-Yruba ethnic background. His music career started in the mid 50s at a tender age after relocating to Lagos under late Fatal Rolling-Dollar.
Ebenezer Obey has greatly influenced Nigerian music context. Interestingly, some of his children and grandchildren are into music. His son Tolu and his grandchild Ladi are doing wonderfully well in their respective music careers.
Both Tolu and Ladi are Juju singers whose careers have been greatly shaped by chief Commander Ebenezer Obey. During his interview with PUNCH Newspaper, Tolu said his father’s wealth of knowledge has actively influenced him to become a musician. Here is what he said:
“Did your father actively influence you to become a musician?
Yes, he did. My father is my mentor and I love him so much. Right from when I was young, I have always wanted to be like him. If he had been a carpenter, mechanic or any other profession, that’s what I would have been too. I love his humility and the way he sees life. I am everything he is,” Tolu said.
However, Tolu started his own band in 1990 with a stage name Junior Obey Band. This band was later renamed as Tolu Obey and the Miliki Band due to a certain reason at the family level.
Obeys music careers were greatly influenced by church. This is because the family are devoted Christians and choir members. No wonder Chief Ebenezer Obey himself is known for Christian spiritual themes in his most of his songs.
His other grandchildren who are also doing music include Laolu, David, Niran and Timi and their all doing great in their choosing music careers. Ebenezer Obey’s household deserves to be called ‘Music House’. What a great family?
Sources: Punch & Wikipedia
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