Ayinla Omowura Biography
Ayinla Waidi Ayinla Omowura, born Yusuf Gbogbolowo in Itoko, Abeokuta, Nigeria, in 1933, died on May 6, 1980.
Profile
- Name: Waidi Ayinla Omowura Yusuf Gbogbo lowo
- Born: 1933 Itoko, Abeokut
- Nationality: Nigerian
- State Of Origin:
- Death: 6 May, 1980 (46-47 years of age)
- Genres: Apala
- Profession: Musician
Early Life
Blacksmith Yusuff Gbogbolowo and weaver Wuramotu Morenike had a son named Ayinla Omowura. He dropped out of school and worked as a bus park boy, butcher, and driver before finally settling on a career in carpentry. Adewole Alao Oniluola saw him, though, and started learning Olalomi, a form of Apala, so he could be his lead drummer.
Ayinla Omowura Career
The musician Ayinla Omowura was notorious for warring with everyone from lesser musicians to those above him in the musical hierarchy, such as Haruna Ishola, whom he eventually acknowledged as his superior. Ayinde Barrister, Fatai Olowonyo, Yesufu Olatunji, and Dauda Epo Akara were among the people with whom he had a feud.
His entire discography was influenced by these feuds. Those around him warned of his short fuse, pot use, and tendency toward violence.
Ayinla Omowura may not have been able to read or write, but he was well-versed in current affairs and was a master of puns, proverbs, innuendos, and analogies. He was an observer of society, a critic of it, and a teacher of morality.
He frequently acted as a conduit via which the government’s policies were communicated to the people, and he also relayed the opinions of those people to those in power. In his 1976 album, Owo Udoji, he praised the government for raising wages but called for a similar increase in the private sector.
In his radio show, Orin Owo Ile Eko, he outlined the rationale behind the new Lagos rent decree and lauded the state government of Lagos, led by Mobolaji Johnson, for its populist initiatives. As a result of his album of the same name, he was able to shed light on the 1973 National Census and shape public opinion in favor of the policy.
In his album from 1973, Challenge Cup ’73, he discussed the shift to right-hand driving and the replacement of the colonial pound sterling with the Naira and Kobo, two currencies introduced by the military administration of General Yakubu Gowon. Outside of the news, he utilized his records to promote sports.
As a musician, Ayinla Omowura used his craft to advocate for social transformation, portraying both sorrow and joy in his compositions. In addition, he had nothing good to say about women who engaged in skin bleaching or who were promiscuous.
Discography
After his death, EMI Records (now known as Ivory Records Nigeria) released two more of his LPs to the public.
- 1972 – National Population Census
- 1972 – Challenge Cup ’72
- 1973 – Orin Owo Ile Eko (Lagos Rent Edict)
- 1973 – Challenge Cup ’73
- 1974 – Challenge Cup ’74
- 1976 – Owo Udoji
- Owo Tuntun
Personal Life
Hadji Costly was just one of his many names. He was known for wearing expensive Swiss lace and gold jewelry on his agbadas and other clothing.
Using names like Egunmogaji, Anigilaje, and Alujannu Elere, he was clearly the musical outcast of his day.
Although Ayinla Omowura wasn’t raised as a Muslim, he converted to Islam and went on to perform the Hajj in 1975. But he also followed the rituals of his ancient faith. His wives were Tawakalitu Owonikoko and Afusatu, both of the Ile Eleni clan.