How Fela, Orlando Owoh, inspired my music, by Afrobeat star
Dynamic Afrobeat musician and creative visionary, Anthony Babajide Omileyan Ojomo, has said his music was inspired by the legendary sounds of Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Dr. Orlando Owoh, and Alhaji Sikiru
Dynamic Afrobeat musician and creative visionary, Anthony Babajide Omileyan Ojomo, has said his music was inspired by the legendary sounds of Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Dr. Orlando Owoh, and Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister.
He described the trio as giants who used music to challenge authority and connect with the grassroots.
“Fela Anikulapo Kuti (Abami Ẹda) taught fearlessness, ideology, and political consciousness; Orlando Owoh showed discipline, authenticity, and cultural elegance,while Ayinde Barrister demonstrated innovation, creativity, and social responsibility. From all three, I learned lifestyle discipline, belief systems, African cultural mindset, and strong spiritual identity,” he said.
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He said their inspiring strides made him introduce traditional instruments omele, gangan and bata into Afrobeat to make his music unique.
Babajide, whose stage name is Omileeyan, said he is poised to deploy Afrobeat, folklore, and bush-centric jazz to create a soundscape that celebrates African spirituality, unity, and cultural pride, bringing his vibrant message to the global stage.
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In a chat with The Nation, the Afrobeat star noted that his music carries the torch of Afro-root revival,fusing traditional African rhythms with modern expression to awaken the lost beats and voices of his heritage.
“My Yoruba ancestry profoundly shapes my music and storytelling through rhythmic complexity, tonal language, and oral traditions. It serves as a living archive that bridges the past and the present, influencing genres such as Afrobeats, highlife, folklore, and African bush-centric jazz,” he said.
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Though born and bred in Lagos, the Ondo-born music star said living among the Awori greatly shaped his music and exposed him to diverse rhythms, street consciousness, and cultural fusion that deeply influenced his creative vision.
On how he is different from other Afrobeat artists he said, “Omileeyan builds upon the foundation of Afrobeat by merging political consciousness with complex musical structures. I prioritize long-form, spiritually driven compositions over short commercial hits, adding depth to the genre’s legacy.
My music entertains, but it also preserves culture and serves as a tool for African pride.”
The artist who recently released two tracks entitled All We Wait For and Sisi Pelebe,
he remains committed to blending traditional elements with contemporary sounds, allowing authenticity to meet global appeal without dilution.
Omileeyan, who has collaborated with Yinka Davies,also envisions collaboration with Asa, Burna Boy, Terry Apala, Lagbaja, TeeMac, Alikiba, Harmonize, Rayvanny and Tracy Chapman.
