CHIEF STEPHEN OSITA OSADEBE
ONE OF ALAIGBO’S FINEST MUSUCIANS
OGBUEFI EZEALULUKWUFE N’ATANI
“Osondu Owendi” is a classic that has remained on the lips of millions of Nigerians for decades. It was released in 1984 by one of the best highlife musicians in Igbo history who had earned the nickname "the Doctor of Hypertension" in reference to "the healing powers of his music".
Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe was born on 17th March, 1936 in Atani, Anambra State. He had his primary education at the St. John Catholic School, Onitsha from where he moved on to Our Lady’s High School, Onitsha for his secondary education which was where his talent in music was honed.
In 1958, Osita Osadebe left his clerical job with SCOA to pursue a career in music. He started his career singing at nightclubs in Lagos. He joined the Empire Rhythm Skies as Vocalist and a Maracas player led by Stephen Amaechi before going on to learn how to play the trumpet from Zeal Onyia who was one of the best trumpeters in West Africa at that time. A prolific composer, Osadebe released his first album in 1958. It had only two songs, one of which was 'Adamma', a tribute to a beautiful lady. He went on to write over 500 songs; half of which were released commercially. In 1959, he released a single 'Lagos Na So So Enjoyment' leaving the music scene to study Trade Unionism at the then Soviet Union.
In 1962, he returned, establishing the “Stephen Osadebe and His Nigerian Sound Makers” band and making radical changes in the highlife genre by prolonging the duration of each song to accommodate the vibrant energy of his audience on the dance floor, infusing witty social commentary in his music often attacking his adversaries in his music and sometimes touching lightly on socio-political issues, eventually transforming highlife into the call-and-response pattern of African music. Personal trials and tribulations were usually the main topics of his commentaries. He sang in English, Pidgin, and Igbo. His type of music was intensely rhythmic, hypnotic, and mesmerizing that one finds it difficult to not move one’s body to the rich tone and sounds.
During his career spanning over four decades, he became one of the best known musicians of Igbo highlife. His best-known hit was the 1984 single "Osondi Owendi”, which established him as a leader in the highlife genre and was one of Nigeria's most popular records ever. He is credited with popularizing the highlife genre as his slow, rhythmic songs were sure to pull listeners out of their chairs. His contributions as the voice of Highlife Music did not go unnoticed as it impacted the younger generation of artists like the late MC Loph and Flavour N’abania.
After turning 50 in 1986, Osadebe started to give priority to fatherhood and gave more of his time to his son Obiora and his other children from his wives. In 1995, he went on his first United States tour, recording one of his most memorable and gripping albums, 'Kedu America' in Seattle, Washington State. He was given a chieftaincy title, the Ogbuefi Ezeafulukwufe of Atani land.
In recognition of his musical prowess, Chief Osita Osadebe was awarded Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) by the Federal Government of Nigeria. In 1981 he was awarded a gold disc for his album 'Onu Kwulu Njo'. He was also named Best Highlife Artiste of the Year in 1988 by the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN).
Some of his works include;
Singles
• "United Nigeria" / "Okpaku Elieli" — Stephen Osadebay and Nigerian Soundmakers, 1962-63
• "Monkey De Work Baboon De Chop" / "Nwezigbo Omume" — Commander In Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe & His Nigeria Sound Makers, 1971
Albums
• Highlife Parade — Commander-in-Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe & His Nigerian Sound Makers, 1970
• Osadebe '76 — Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe & His Nigeria Sound Makers International, 1975
• Arum Achoro Nsogbu — Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe And His Nigerian Soundm akers International, 1979
• Onye Bili - Ibeya Ebili — 1981
• Onye Achonam — 1982
• Makojo — Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe & His Nigerian Sound Makers International, 1985
• Peoples Club Of Nigeria Special — Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe & His Nigerian Sound Makers International, 1987
• Ife Onye Metalu — Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe & His Nigerian Sound Makers
International, 1987
• Ezi Oyi Amaka -Chief Osita Osadebe and his Nigerian Soundmakers International, 1990
• Osondi Owendi - Chief Osita Osadebe and his Nigerian Soundmakers International, 1984
• Ife Chukwu Kanma - Chief Osita Osadebe his Nigerian Soundmakers International 1991
Osita Osadebe died in St. Mary's Hospital Waterbury, Connecticut on 11 May 2007 after suffering from severe respiratory difficulties and is survived by five wives and several children.
May he continue to rest in peace, amen.
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