Lágbájá
Lagbaja (born Bisade Ologunde in Lagos, Nigeria) is a Nigerian Afrobeat mus… Read Full Bio ↴Lagbaja (born Bisade Ologunde in Lagos, Nigeria) is a Nigerian Afrobeat musician.
The first question that is often asked when Lagbaja is encountered is, “Why the mask?” Basically, Lagbaja’s mask is used as an icon of man’s facelessness. Lagbaja is a Yoruba word that means somebody, nobody, anybody or everybody. It perfectly depicts the anonymity of the so called “common man”. The mask and the name symbolize the faceless, the voiceless in the society, particularly in Africa. Once you see Lagbaja’s mask you are reminded of your own facelessness. This symbolism is so powerful that Lagbaja’s mask has popularized the use of the mask concept by other artistes both in Nigeria and beyond Though the concept was developed long before that, his first album (entitled Lagbaja) was released to National acclaim in 1993. Over the years and more albums later, the music continues to fascinate with its unique focus on a core of African drums. His music is a product of various influences ranging from traditional Yoruba music to Jazz. Often the music is purely instrumental- an interplay between traditional Yoruba percussions, drums, chants, and western instruments, especially the saxophone. When there are lyrics, they are primarily sung in Yoruba, English or a blend of the two as is colloquially spoken in Yoruba cities. Many of his songs dwell on serious social issues, while others simply entertain. Some are dance inducing while others pass serious messages in humorous ways.
One thing that links all the songs together is his use of traditional African drums. Traditional Yoruba drums are the most prominent. Four families of these drums are employed in creating different grooves and moods. The dundun/gangan family is the most prominent and at times up to five drummers combine all the various components to create the polyrhythms. The bata ensemble is led by two musicians who alternate between soft high toned driving rhythms with their omele bata, and thunderous loud talk with their mum drum- iya ilu. The general percussionist leads the sakara ensemble. The fourth family, used as the backbone of the groove is the ogido, a derivative of the ancient gbedu. The ensemble of drummers constitute the larger part of the band. Vocalists and western instrumentalists make up the rest. Lagbaja’s groovy fusion has been referred to as afrojazz, afrobeat, higherlife and afropop until now that he himself has christened the music AFRICANO, alluding mostly to the central role of African drums and grooves in his music.
In March 1997, Lagbaja established his club, Motherlan’ in the heart of Ikeja in Lagos. Motherlan’s design is influenced by the traditional African town or market square, where people gather under the moonlight for ceremonies and artistic events like dance, music, story telling, wrestling etc. True to this function, over the years, it has become a place for many comedians to polish their act in front of a demanding audience.
With a serene gorge of beautiful trees and greens as background, the venue merges traditional Africa with the contemporary, creating the ambience of the countryside in the urban city. Lagbaja performs at Motherlan’ every last Friday of the month to a full house of faithfuls.
Lagbaja is fast emerging in the forefront of contemporary African music, rich in the traditions of the continent while cosmopolitan in attitude. He has started to take his music beyond the shores of Nigeria, performing in festivals and venues around the world.
The first question that is often asked when Lagbaja is encountered is, “Why the mask?” Basically, Lagbaja’s mask is used as an icon of man’s facelessness. Lagbaja is a Yoruba word that means somebody, nobody, anybody or everybody. It perfectly depicts the anonymity of the so called “common man”. The mask and the name symbolize the faceless, the voiceless in the society, particularly in Africa. Once you see Lagbaja’s mask you are reminded of your own facelessness. This symbolism is so powerful that Lagbaja’s mask has popularized the use of the mask concept by other artistes both in Nigeria and beyond Though the concept was developed long before that, his first album (entitled Lagbaja) was released to National acclaim in 1993. Over the years and more albums later, the music continues to fascinate with its unique focus on a core of African drums. His music is a product of various influences ranging from traditional Yoruba music to Jazz. Often the music is purely instrumental- an interplay between traditional Yoruba percussions, drums, chants, and western instruments, especially the saxophone. When there are lyrics, they are primarily sung in Yoruba, English or a blend of the two as is colloquially spoken in Yoruba cities. Many of his songs dwell on serious social issues, while others simply entertain. Some are dance inducing while others pass serious messages in humorous ways.
One thing that links all the songs together is his use of traditional African drums. Traditional Yoruba drums are the most prominent. Four families of these drums are employed in creating different grooves and moods. The dundun/gangan family is the most prominent and at times up to five drummers combine all the various components to create the polyrhythms. The bata ensemble is led by two musicians who alternate between soft high toned driving rhythms with their omele bata, and thunderous loud talk with their mum drum- iya ilu. The general percussionist leads the sakara ensemble. The fourth family, used as the backbone of the groove is the ogido, a derivative of the ancient gbedu. The ensemble of drummers constitute the larger part of the band. Vocalists and western instrumentalists make up the rest. Lagbaja’s groovy fusion has been referred to as afrojazz, afrobeat, higherlife and afropop until now that he himself has christened the music AFRICANO, alluding mostly to the central role of African drums and grooves in his music.
In March 1997, Lagbaja established his club, Motherlan’ in the heart of Ikeja in Lagos. Motherlan’s design is influenced by the traditional African town or market square, where people gather under the moonlight for ceremonies and artistic events like dance, music, story telling, wrestling etc. True to this function, over the years, it has become a place for many comedians to polish their act in front of a demanding audience.
With a serene gorge of beautiful trees and greens as background, the venue merges traditional Africa with the contemporary, creating the ambience of the countryside in the urban city. Lagbaja performs at Motherlan’ every last Friday of the month to a full house of faithfuls.
Lagbaja is fast emerging in the forefront of contemporary African music, rich in the traditions of the continent while cosmopolitan in attitude. He has started to take his music beyond the shores of Nigeria, performing in festivals and venues around the world.
More Genres
No Artists Found
More Artists
Load All
No Albums Found
More Albums
Load All
No Tracks Found
Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Search results not found
Song not found
Lágbájá Lyrics
200 Million Mumu Mumu mumu mumu Mumu x mumu Mumu mumu mumu Mumu x mumu 200 mi…
200 Million Mumu (Part 3) Agenda 3rd Term Agenda 3rd Term Agenda 3rd Term If You talk…
Abami Many many, many years ago for yoruba land (ehe) Before dem b…
Africalypso Africalypso, Africalypso Some four hundred years ago They to…
Aisan Ko gbodo mu mi ju e o Ko gbodo mu e…
Akebaje My ti dagba, mo ti balaga O to ki n…
Baby Ta Ni Ko Fe Wa Pararapapiapa, prapapapia, Prapapapiapa, prapapapia, paperap…
Bling Bling Panda Because of panda Wey I no dey wear Dem say I no…
Coolu Temper Oh why is it difficult for us to live in…
Deja A Mi Gente Quedarse Mose si wi fun Farao (And Moses said to Pharaoh) Jeki…
did i Spanish Verse Es verdad, te dije que te amaba Es verdad, te…
Different Cloth Different Occasion As for me mukomuko I go talk true make devil kini? I…
dream come true You came along, You proved me wrong, I thought that I, taugh…
emi mimo Emi Mimo, so kale Holy spirit, descend Emi Mimo, sori mi…
Enu Dun Ro'Fo Sa ba′le To ba ta fele fele Sa ba'le To ba ta fele…
feyin e Aa ka maa se kini / Yes, Ahaa / Ka…
Gra Gra Not do, not do / Not do, not do /…
iyawo tororo Aaaah atoto arere Them go say Lagbaja done come again o Yes,…
jenke Efimile... Efmile... Eje ejeun soro fun!!! Okapa leyin Won b…
Joy Cometh in the Morning 1 Oh, weary pilgrim, lift your head, For joy cometh in…
ke ke ke ke Gboin gboin ntoke – oke gboin gboin Gboin gboin ntoke –…
Knock Knock Knock Ko ko ko ko Omo, shilekun fun mi Je n wo'le Knock knock…
Konko Below Pade mi ni'sale ele le le le lelelelele Ah pade mi…
Me And You No Be Enemy We come from different places Speak with different tongues B…
Me And You No' Be Enemy We come from different places / Speak with different tongues…
Million Million Aaa … everybody don't say Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Do…
Mummy HI Unnnnnn Ahhhhhhh Eeeeeeeeeiiaa Mo mololufe dele Kolo ki mama…
Naija Must Sweet Again Nigeria na one country, yes The thing God done put together,…
Never far away Hmmm all alone When i think about the good times…
Nipa Ife Olugbala nipa ife olugbala ki yosi nkan oju rere re kin pada…
Nothing for you Omo gbe mi saya / Eh eh gbe mi saya…
Omo Jayejaye Aiye je mi to... ma de se kini Ma gba esan,…
Owo Eko Eko ti mo wa, owo ni no wa pa o Ofe…
Prayer For The Youth Ko soun tOluwa o le se To ba sojo a soda A…
Redemption Song Old pirates, yes, they rob I Sold I to the merchant…
Redemption Song (2 African Soldiers) Attention Salute to great African soldiers Fela style, lagba…
Rock Me Gentle Take it easy, Let me flow And you flow with me Flow…
Shake Body 000 Album GenreDuration00: 03: 45Rank− (−) history Rate −…
Sharp-Sharp! Sharp sharp, Sharp sharp, Pa pa pa Pawo... paiwo, Eeee... A…
Side By Side Looku de waaaaay De way de way de way way de…
Skentele Skontolo Ko si fashion kan to ju tia lo Iro ati buba…
So Wa? How you dey? (I dey) Madam ko? pikin ko? family ko? (Them de…
Subo Oro mi ti d'ayo Subo subo subo Oro mi ti d'ayo Subo subo…
Suuru Lere Three Gbosa lalala ... Melo la fe ka Leyin adipele Amo lagba…
Tokunbo Won ti b'aye je Won ti s'aye tokunbo Won ti b'aye je…
Toun T'erin Beeni awon mejeji won jo nlo Beeni Toun terin ni o lo,…
Vernacular I speak You hear When you speak I understand Oro wa ti ye, i…
Who Man? Mankind shall never find justice, until first, he ensures ju…