Julius.O. Araba and His Rhythm Blues - Kelegbe Megbe / Yabonsa / Turaka
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 เม.ย. 2012
- 60's juju performance from the legendary J.O. Araba. (RIP)
Video source: Konkombe 2/6 Nigeria Music Documentary (TH-cam)
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Most Nigerians have heard of the name Julius Araba, or more simply Araba J.O. at some point in their lives, but few in modern times reckon with the name that is so quick on the lips of several older musicians of mature and established repute.
As the days go by and the years roll in, one might begin to wonder where Nigeria is coming from musically; but that story would be difficult to tell without resounding the contributions of incredible artists of the mid 1900s, such as J.O. Araba.
A contemporary of his in those times, 85 year old Olaseni Tejuosho tells of Julius Araba in fond and loving memory. He told of the late 1930s and early 1940s when both of them struggled to make headway in life because of their love for music. J.O. Araba at the time Araba was working with the Nigerian Railway Corporation and also playing music.
They stayed and practiced together until one day that the late Steve Rhodes saw them, was impressed, and advised them to go to NBC for a recording and also form a band. Julius Araba, who is credited with some of the first recordings of Yoruba music, is no doubt one of the most important musicians of that time. In the process of forming his band back then, looking for a good Agidigbo player, J.O. Araba and Olaseni Tejuosho found Fatai Rolling Dollar at Idi Oro and teamed up to record a short album under the name J.O. Araba and His Afro People Band.
With huge hits like 'Osupa Ko Dadi Osan', Julius Araba was a significant part of the Nigerian musical culture and Lagos highlife across the industry through the 1950s until when the Nigerian civil war broke out in 1967 that disrupted hightlife and drafted many into the army while others began to embrace juju music.
Not to be confused with O.J. (Orlando Julius), J.O.'s style was distinct and more primordial, set back in those times preceding Nigerian independence when indigenes needed to be reminded much of what 'heritage' meant.
In his time, Julius "J.O" Araba worked with the likes of Nigerian highlife legends like Bobby Benson and Steven Amechi, even though his style was more juju-like, as can be heard in his hit song 'Kelegbe megbe' of those years. Listening to such historical tracks one may not immediately realize that this was a man whose music has much influenced modern juju legends like Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey and King Sunny Ade.
Not too much is written in recorded history of this man and musical legend, but there is a lot to be gotten from his music, his legacy, which made him a force to be reckoned with in his time and even today. J.O. Araba was the first musician to perform and record side by side with his wife as seen in this video, making her the official first female professional performer in the history of juju music.
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Thank you for keeping great uncle’s music alive
Oh my God, where do we get it wrong in Nigeria for God sake.I pray that our eroded values are restored soon. Singing not for money but just to make each other happy and for fun as well while encouraging one another. Rest in peace baba Araba.
The Fulani invasion of Nigeria has eroded our values............
Julius araba see solo music as is going I remember oldays this are gd music . The wife play wt her may there soul r i peace👍🙏
You really think people didn't sing for money in the 1960s and 50s?
Amazing music! This is something else man!!! What disturbed me the most is that these musicians didn't make shit of money during their time. They died in poverty exception were probably Ayinde Bakare, Pa Victor OLAIYA , Roy Chicago and Anikura.
Today when K1 coughs, he's showered with shit loads of raw Naira notes and the music ain't that serious. This music gave me deep and profound awareness of what we missed in the 50s that once gave our people joy that no longer existed today. Quite nostalgic as I see myself among those kids in audience and the eclectic appearance of the female musician. The neighborhood also reminded me of a place I used to hang out with my wife and our friends in Trinidad de Cuba.
Please let's support new music coming out of Ibadan like The Black Nubia, Ayinde Rashidi ,Chief Elebuibon ati bebe lo.
Modupe ooooo. E seeee.
Emi ni Omo Mushin. Subulade a agbe wa o. Asheeeee!!!
Agreed
The Fulani invasion of Nigeria has destroyed Yoruba values: Education , music, Finance ...etc
We need to ask the Lord to forgive and have mercy on us
Sheer nostalgia. Brings tears to the eye.
I must have listened to this song more than 50 times in the last 7years. These are meaningful songs with acoustic guitars not the nonsense being showcased these days. I'm a lover of highlife songs anyday. Nostalgia!
This same episode has a segment on another vastly underrated musician, Benjamin Kokoro. It definitely brings tears to the ears and gives us a sense of just our much of our culture we've lost. Thanks for doing your part. I'll continue to do mine.
Old music don't die🤝
'Yabonsa Jawale' or 'Yaa Amponsah Jawale' is Ghanaian highlife root rhythm recorded in 1930's and made popular by Kwame Asare. The meaning of the word itself is unclear. Yabonsa Jawale was copied extensively by Nigerian artists (including J.O. Araba) jumping on Ghanaian-styled highlife band-wagon of the 30's through 60's. See my youtube Yaa Amponsah compilation. It is titled: 'Various Artists - Yaa Amponsah Unplugged'.
Classic!!!
God bless you planetolusola. You are great. Thanks.
My pleasure. Greetings to your dad.
Lovely oldies ❤
Fantastic oldies
Cropped 'the video from a documentary on youtube titled: Konkombe 2/6 Nigeria Music Documentary. Check it out. Not sure of the date, but I'm assuming late 60's early 70's?. Yes, that is the wife, the first professional female juju performer, isn't she something? I'm still beaming with joy at the discovery of the video.
Yabonsa Jawale is a TWI dialect from ghana
Thanks very much for this post. I have had a copy of Konkombe for many many years. It's actually on VHS i should probably digitize it. It was part of a series called "Beats of The Heart' i believe was produced by a french man named Jeremy Marre it's worthwhile viewing. I'd love to send you a copy of it once i get it on DVD. J.O. Araba's sadly underrated but there are some of us out there that do value his contributions. And you were right on with Yabomisa Jawale. Even Victor Olaiya recorded it
Please digitize it so our history is preserved,
Thank you
Special!!!
Wow!! is all I can say
Much appreciation for your comment.
Much appreciation dcbiglew. I will love to have the Beats of the Heart when digitized, just let me know. Make sure you browse through my entire collections on my channel. Cheers.
Wow! This is awesome. Thanks for the upload. How the heck did you get this video? What year was this recording...do you know? That must be his wife...the voice in the record. God bless you.
It is quite a great discovery. Would you know the wife's name?
Another question please. Would you know the what language is Yabonsa Jawale, and the meaning?
Don't know. Will simply refer to her as Mrs. Araba.
songname please!