The Lijadu Sisters, Taiwo and Kehinde Lijadu, are identical twin sisters fr… Read Full Bio ↴The Lijadu Sisters, Taiwo and Kehinde Lijadu, are identical twin sisters from Nigeria who were an Nigerian music duet from the mid-1960s to the 1980s. They achieved success in Nigeria and had modest influence in the United States and Europe. They were notable for being a West African version of the Pointer Sisters who mixed Afrobeat sounds with jazz and disco, according to one source. Since the late 1980s, they retired from the music scene. They were cousins of popular Nigerian musician Fela Kuti.
The twins grew up in the Nigerian town of Ibadan, and were inspired musically by various artists including Aretha Franklin, Victor Olaiya and Miriam Makeba. They had guidance from music producer Lemmy Jackson who is credited with helping them with their early successes. Their music was a mix of Jazz, Afrobeat, Reggae and Waka. Sometimes they sang in English and other times in African languages. One of their first songs was arranged with assistance from jazz saxophone player Orlando Julius. They released their first album Iya Mi Jowo in 1969 after winning a record contract with Decca Records. They worked with the late Biddy Wright on their third album Danger (1976). They recorded Sunshine in 1978 and Horizon Unlimited in 1979.
The sisters were top stars in Nigeria during the 1970s and 1980s. During these years, they branched out to America and Europe and found modest success. They performed with drummer Ginger Baker's band Salt at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games in Munich at the World Music Festival. The New York Times reported that the sisters were "smiling free spirits" who mixed "sisterly banter and flirtatiousness" in their performances which featured positive messages such as the benefit of returning home. Their reggae number Reincarnation insisted that if reincarnation was a reality, then they would like to be reincarnated again into the home where they grew up. Some of their song lyrics were politically themed. Their harmonies were described as "ethereal".
In 1984 Shanachie Records released Double Trouble in the US which was a compilation of their previously recorded material from their albums Horizon Unlimited and Danger. Their song "Orere Eljigbo" was included on a double CD entitled Nigeria 70, Africa 100, and was added to the Roots & Wings playlist in 1997.
The sisters moved to Brooklyn. They performed in various venues including the lower Manhattan club Wetlands and in Harlem with King Sunny Adé's African Beats as their backing band. They performed with the Philadelphia-based band Philly Gumbo. They were featured in the music documentary Konkombé by English director Jeremy Marre, and their music was featured in the Nigerian instalment of the 14-episode world music series entitled Beats of the Heart which aired on PBS during the late 1980s.
On 1 April 2014, they appeared live at an all-star tribute, the Atomic! Bomb Band, for reclusive Nigerian musician William Onyeabor at the Barbican Centre in London. They sang some of their own tracks including "Danger", as well as providing backing and lead vocals on William Onyeabor material. They also performed with the Atomic! Bomb Band on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and on tour dates in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles in May 2014.
On 9 November 2019, Taiwo suffered a stroke and died on the same day, at the age of 71.
The New York Times music critic Jon Pareles described their music as "a West African parallel to the Pointer Sisters" with a mix of Nigerian Afro-beat, reggae, South African pop with elements of disco and "Memphis soul".[1] Critic Peter Watrous described the sisters sound as "riveting".
Reviewer Myles Boisen in All Music Guide wrote that they were "a rarity in the African music scene" and added that they were "liberated twin sisters who share the spotlight on smooth close harmonies and command a sharp, inventive backing band."
Discography
Lijadu Sisters
Title Year Label Type Band Notes
Iya Mi Jowo / Jikele – Maweni 1969 Decca album Lijadu Sisters title means "Mother, please"
Danger 1976 Decca, Afrodisia album (LP) Lijadu Sisters Ade Jolaoso (bass), Johny Shittu (keyboards), Biddy Wright (guitar, saxophone, drums)
Mother Africa 1977 Afrodisia, Decca album (LP) Lijadu Sisters
Sunshine 1978 Afrodisia album (LP) Lijadu Sisters Biddy Wright (producer, various instruments), Candido Obajimi (drums), Gboyega Adelaja (keyboards), Jerry Ihejeto (bass)
Horizon Unlimited 1979 Afrodisia album (LP) Lijadu Sisters two versions available; second source says 1983 release Musicians: Friday Jumbo on cleffs and ekwe, Buttley Moore, Nelly Uchendu on drums.
Double Trouble 1984 album Lijadu Sisters
"Orere Eligjigbo" 1997 Shanachie single Lijadu Sisters
The twins grew up in the Nigerian town of Ibadan, and were inspired musically by various artists including Aretha Franklin, Victor Olaiya and Miriam Makeba. They had guidance from music producer Lemmy Jackson who is credited with helping them with their early successes. Their music was a mix of Jazz, Afrobeat, Reggae and Waka. Sometimes they sang in English and other times in African languages. One of their first songs was arranged with assistance from jazz saxophone player Orlando Julius. They released their first album Iya Mi Jowo in 1969 after winning a record contract with Decca Records. They worked with the late Biddy Wright on their third album Danger (1976). They recorded Sunshine in 1978 and Horizon Unlimited in 1979.
The sisters were top stars in Nigeria during the 1970s and 1980s. During these years, they branched out to America and Europe and found modest success. They performed with drummer Ginger Baker's band Salt at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games in Munich at the World Music Festival. The New York Times reported that the sisters were "smiling free spirits" who mixed "sisterly banter and flirtatiousness" in their performances which featured positive messages such as the benefit of returning home. Their reggae number Reincarnation insisted that if reincarnation was a reality, then they would like to be reincarnated again into the home where they grew up. Some of their song lyrics were politically themed. Their harmonies were described as "ethereal".
In 1984 Shanachie Records released Double Trouble in the US which was a compilation of their previously recorded material from their albums Horizon Unlimited and Danger. Their song "Orere Eljigbo" was included on a double CD entitled Nigeria 70, Africa 100, and was added to the Roots & Wings playlist in 1997.
The sisters moved to Brooklyn. They performed in various venues including the lower Manhattan club Wetlands and in Harlem with King Sunny Adé's African Beats as their backing band. They performed with the Philadelphia-based band Philly Gumbo. They were featured in the music documentary Konkombé by English director Jeremy Marre, and their music was featured in the Nigerian instalment of the 14-episode world music series entitled Beats of the Heart which aired on PBS during the late 1980s.
On 1 April 2014, they appeared live at an all-star tribute, the Atomic! Bomb Band, for reclusive Nigerian musician William Onyeabor at the Barbican Centre in London. They sang some of their own tracks including "Danger", as well as providing backing and lead vocals on William Onyeabor material. They also performed with the Atomic! Bomb Band on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and on tour dates in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles in May 2014.
On 9 November 2019, Taiwo suffered a stroke and died on the same day, at the age of 71.
The New York Times music critic Jon Pareles described their music as "a West African parallel to the Pointer Sisters" with a mix of Nigerian Afro-beat, reggae, South African pop with elements of disco and "Memphis soul".[1] Critic Peter Watrous described the sisters sound as "riveting".
Reviewer Myles Boisen in All Music Guide wrote that they were "a rarity in the African music scene" and added that they were "liberated twin sisters who share the spotlight on smooth close harmonies and command a sharp, inventive backing band."
Discography
Lijadu Sisters
Title Year Label Type Band Notes
Iya Mi Jowo / Jikele – Maweni 1969 Decca album Lijadu Sisters title means "Mother, please"
Danger 1976 Decca, Afrodisia album (LP) Lijadu Sisters Ade Jolaoso (bass), Johny Shittu (keyboards), Biddy Wright (guitar, saxophone, drums)
Mother Africa 1977 Afrodisia, Decca album (LP) Lijadu Sisters
Sunshine 1978 Afrodisia album (LP) Lijadu Sisters Biddy Wright (producer, various instruments), Candido Obajimi (drums), Gboyega Adelaja (keyboards), Jerry Ihejeto (bass)
Horizon Unlimited 1979 Afrodisia album (LP) Lijadu Sisters two versions available; second source says 1983 release Musicians: Friday Jumbo on cleffs and ekwe, Buttley Moore, Nelly Uchendu on drums.
Double Trouble 1984 album Lijadu Sisters
"Orere Eligjigbo" 1997 Shanachie single Lijadu Sisters
Bobby
Lijadu Sisters Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Bobby' by these artists:
(Sandy) Alex G Bobby's just a friend of mine He's on his back I'm on…
Alex G Bobby's just a friend of mine He's on his back I'm on…
Alina Orlova Bobby has velvet skin He's only seventeen Raised by the…
Alma Forrer Bobby tu chantes les ombres, les visages blêmes Les mois de…
beabadoobee Bobby was 14 when she knew Nothing would last Wishing her li…
Beabadoobee - Topic Bobby was fourteen when she knew Nothing would last Wishing …
Belleruche The stupid things That come out of your mouth I should kno…
Beny Jr Oh-oh-oh Oh-oh-oh Oh-oh-oh Oh-oh Por-por las redes tú parece…
Bobby Baby bobby keeps you from the cold yeah bobby knows a secret…
Brian Setzer When you look into his eyes, it comes to you…
butch wifey Bobby's just a friend of mine He's on his back I'm on…
C.C.T.V Yeah Ooh baby baby drip for me Drip for me Drip for me…
Camp Trash Bobby put your shoes on I hope you know you can…
Cheu-B Bugatti on the trackz J'veux mon cash maintenant (maintenan…
Dc Yeah Ooh baby baby drip for me Drip for me Drip for me…
Elji Beatzkilla Ok it's beatzkilla hi Hello motherfker I ain't trynna be the…
Eunique Ey (ey, ey) Ja, ja (ja, ja, ja) Krr (wouh) Ja, ja, ja…
GFOTY Years ago, there were places to be Places to hang out Places…
I Am K Oh little girl you never had a chance Always singing…
Johnossi Soaked and alone, on his knees in a house He escaped…
Karlskrona Who is the guy that beats all expectations Who forces girls…
KITCHEN - beabadoobee Bobby was fourteen when she knew Nothing would last Wishing …
Koffi Lossa (J'prends une kichta) (J'casse la démarche comme Kobe) (Fais…
Len I've been locked in my room not waiting for long And…
Lightning Bug O daddy, your eyes are black oil I've always been scared…
Liz Wadman Bobby met Mary in nineteen-whatever Before they knew it, she…
Logic feat. My Dad Fame be like, like when you rich and famous and…
Lowlow Per cosa si vive Se non per marciare sulla testa dei…
M. Ward Everything i spit straight fire I'm above you like a hang…
Mali Velasquez You were older Older than me Sucking in a sponge…
Marcie Blane (You're not a kid anymore) (You're not a kid anymore) When …
Neil Scott (Oh, Bobby, oh-oh, Bobby) (Come back to me) A lonely teenag…
Niello Han kommer inte in, inte ens på klubben trots att han…
O.T.K Bobby's in the road again Singing like his life depends F310…
Pimp C I know you hoes on a mission to steal my…
Potter Payper Bitch I think I'm Rico It's Franky baby, check my steelo Fra…
Reba McEntire Bobby pleaded guilty to the charges that they read As they…
RZA Bobby, Bobby, Bobby Bobby Bobby, Bobby, Bobby Bobby, Bobb…
S.E.R. Uh, uh, uh Hi, I'm seventeen and my name is Bobby…
SANDY Alex G Bobby's just a friend of mine He's on his back I'm on…
Section Boyz Allow this tune listen to me spit follow man on…
Shady Bard Look what you've done, Bobby See what you've done You sold o…
Sweet G.A. Brown Ahahaha, y'all ready? Yeah, we back, ome on Teddy Face Brown…
The Pesos Baby Hard life What's the greatest now I wake up, just to kn…
The Roches Think he's got a crush on me I saw the whole…
Timaya Awasaye Put up your body everybody YungD My ladies my ladies…
Toun-e Uh, uh, uh Hi, I'm seventeen and my name is Bobby…
Tracey Ullman When people ask of me what would you like to be, now…
Twiztid [Chorus: repeat 2X] Hate! Don't like the way Don't like the …
Veysel (The Placements) Hey Mein Lieferant ist Amsterdam Er fährt …
Wooden Wand He painted his house the color of skin So if the…
Youth Lagoon You camped out in my mind and told me evil things like…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Lijadu Sisters:
Come and Dance Dance, get up Come on and dance, get up, get up Dance,…
Erora E rora E rora o Aye maa ma gbege o E rora E rora…
Life's Gone Down Low Well Do you know something baby Lifes gone down low Yeah Lif…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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