Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe


Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe, often referred to as just Osita Osadebe, was a Nigerian Igbo highlife musician from Atani. 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.
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Biography

Osadebe was born on 17 March 1936, in the Igbo town of Atani, the city on the eastern bank of the Niger River in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, Southeastern Nigeria. He came from a line of singers and dancers in Igboland. His genre, Highlife, encompassed Igbo and traditional musical elements. Along with this, calypso, Samba, bolero, rumba, Jazz and waltz were also present in Osadebe's musical style. It was in his high school years in Onitsha, a major commercial city near Atani, that Osadebe grew interested in music.

Career

Osadebe started his career singing at nightclubs in Lagos State in the southwestern region of Nigeria, with Trumpeter Zeal Onyia as his mentor. He had been a part of The Empire Rhythm Orchestra, led by E. C. Arinze in which he had learned much of his music skills. A prolific composer, Osadebe released his first album in 1958, and went on to write over 500 songs; half of which were released commercially. After stints with the Stephen Amache Band and the Central Dance Band in around 1964, Osadebe struck out as a bandleader with his group the Sound Makers.
As he became better established, Osadebe's style matured to include social commentary, similar to, but not as confrontational as Fela Kuti. Personal trials and tribulations were usually the main topics of his commentaries. He sang in English, pidgin English and Igbo. Osadebe often extended his tracks for his audience's enjoyment, allowing room for 'people on the dance floor' to indulge in the songs. He earned the nickname "the Doctor of Hypertension" in reference to "the healing powers of his music".
Following the Nigerian Civil War in the late 1960s, the massive exodus of the eastern peoples of Nigeria out of western Nigeria had caused the death of the Highlife's prominence in the then capital, Lagos. During the war and after the war Osadebe maintained his scheduled live performances. Jùjú music and later Afrobeat took precedence in Lagos, and in the 1970s James Brown and various other music forms became popular in the city. In this same decade, Osadebe's career had reached its zenith. 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. One of Osita Osadebe's last albums is Kedu America.
Osita Osadebe died in St. Mary's Hospital Waterbury, Connecticut on 11 May 2007 after suffering from severe respiratory difficulties.

Personal life

Osita Osadebe married five wives and has several children who resides in Nigeria and abroad.

Discography

  • Mkojo - 1985
  • Yoba Chukwu
  • Ozubulu Brothers - 2007
  • Okpi Uzo Enweilo - 2007
;Singles
  • "United Nigeria" / "Okpaku Elieli" Stephen Osadebay and Nigerian Soundmakers, 1962-63
  • "Sylvanu Olympio" / "Ifeayi CMakojo - 1985
  • Egwu Ogolo - 1985
  • Abube 85 Oguigha - 1985
  • Yoba Chukwu - 1986
  • Star Social Club Of Nigeria - 1987
  • An'Edo Social Club - 1987
  • A gbala a.k.a Na Azo - 1987
  • Onu Uwa Ana Masi Ije Uwa - 1988
  • Gwam Okwu - 1988
  • Nwanem Ebeniza - 1996
  • Ka-Anyi Jikota - 1996
  • Agadi Nwanyi Na
  • Nri Sports
  • rd's Special
  • Onuigbo - 1996
  • Aye Mama - 1996
  • Nyem Obi Gi - 1996
  • Kwue Nkeyi
  • En'u Wa
  • Nwanne Dmamba - 2006
  • Onukwulu Njo - 2006
  • Ndia Na Ndia
  • Anaedo Special
  • Kedu America - Gretthukwu" 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 /"Egwu Amala"/"Ndubusi"
;Albums
  • Highlife Parade Commander-in-Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe & His Nigerian Sound Makers, 1970
  • Stephen Osita Osadebe & His Nigeria Sound Makers 1972
  • Commander In Chief Stephen Osadebe & His Nigeria Sound Makers 1972
  • Osadebe '75 Commander-In-Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe & His Nigerian Sound Makers International, 1975
  • Osadebe In London Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe & His Nigerian Sound Makers International, 1975
  • Osadebe '76 Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe & His Nigeria Sound Makers International, 1975
  • Osadebe '76 Vol. 2 Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe & His Nigerian Sound Makers International, 1976
  • Chief Osadebe '77 Vol.1 1977
  • Osadebe '78 1977
  • Osadebe '78 Vol.2 1978
  • Arum Achoro Nsogbu Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe And His Nigerian SoundMakers International, 1979
  • Agbalu Aka Azo Ani 1980
  • Osadebe In 80's - Oyolima Vol. 1 1980
  • Onu Kwulunjo, Okwue Nma 1981
  • Onye Bili - Ibeya Ebili 1981
  • Nke Onye Diliya 1981
  • Ogbahu Akwulugo 1982
  • Onye Ije Anatago 1982
  • Ndi Dum Tufu Dum Cho '83 1982
  • Igakam Ogonogo 1982
  • Onye Achonam 1982
  • Ok'puzo Enweilo 1982
  • Onye Kwusia Olieonuya Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe And His Nigerian Sound Makers International, 1982
  • Unubi Top Special Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe & His Nigerian Sound Makers International, 1984
  • Makojo Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe & His Nigerian Sound Makers International, 1985
  • Nwanneka Special Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe & His Nigerian Sound Makers International, 1986
  • 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
  • Ana Masi Ife Uwa Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe & His Nigerian Sound Makers International, 1988
  • Nigeria Go Better Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe & His Nigerian Sound Makers International, 1988
  • Eji - Keme Uwa Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe & His Nigerian Sound Makers International, 1992
  • Late Sam Okwaraji-Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe and his Nigerian Soundmakers International, 1990
  • Ndi Ochongonoko-Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe and his Nigerian Soundmakers International, 1986
  • Onyiewe Ewerato