The death of veteran highlife musician, Orlando Julius, has again drawn attention to the survival of the beautiful old genre. The passage of the acclaimed composer and saxophonist is still so fresh that the farewell talking drums should still point at his Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State, home. But the fact that he did his best and lived up to the ripe age 79 years show that the best way to mourn him is to celebrate his legacies.
In doing so, concern should be shown for the fate of highlife, his bosom music, which he prosecuted for some 61 years. It is one brand that has continued to witness the death of its leading singers, although many of the departed enjoyed the grace of longevity. Among such were Sir Victor Uwaifo, Pa Chris Ajilo, Sir Victor Olaiya, Tunde Osofisan, and those who had left far earlier – Osita Osadebe, Oliver de Coque, Bobby Benson, Adeolu Akinsanya etc. When leading vanguards of an art so get reaped by death, the survival question surely hangs on its pantheon.
For highlife, however, the old form might pass away, there is hope that it will continue to be. The reason is that it has been recreating itself through younger artistes who either specialise in it or occasionally produce songs in the highlife mould. These are apart from party artistes who freely mix it with juju, fuji, hip hop and other grnres.
In this regard, the souls of the departed legends will be happy with Adekunle Gold, who has given highlife a refreshing touch in many of his songs. He signposted this in the song that brought him to limelight, ‘Orente’, and he has never abandoned it since, although he is not static. Interestingly, his wife, Simi, also stands to be counted among highlife disciples, even if the feminine touch she gives it may beat unsuspecting ears.
Another artiste who has done wonderfully for highlife is Flavour. While an Olamide will go in and out of the arena, Flavour has, like Adekunle Gold, largely endured in the game. The success he too has recorded shows the endless potential in it, as a versatile music that has a date with the future. It is also important to note that the power of highlife, like that of afro beat, to produce success is manifest in Favour’s life too. His remaking of ‘Ashawo’, many will agree, is what actually made him.
Close followers of the music of Beautiful Nubia, Edaoto, Segun Ajayi AJ Sequential, Goke Bajowa and Seun Olota, among others, can easily locate highlife influence in them too. That is why it is not surprising that they enjoyed a fluid relationship with the old and departed musicians, with legends often joining them at their concerts. Ajilo and Orlando Julius were particularly intimate allies of Nubia, and Edaoto also savoured such cross-generational bonding.
An indefatigable composer and trumpeter, Orlando Julius bequeathed to humanity great sounds and songs that include ‘Jagua Nana’ and ‘A Dara’. He enjoyed the great company of his love, now widow, Latoya Aduke, who was also a singer and dancer in his band.
Announcing his death on Thursday, Evergreen Music Managing Director, Bimbo Esho, had noted in a statement:
“We shall miss one of Nigeria’s fathers of Afro/Highlife Music , a gentleman and a fine Saxophonist.
“May daddy Orlando Julius soul journey well . To the entire Ekemode family may God give you the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss.”
