Did Umu Obiligo Entered Lagos Late?

Highlife genre is not something new to the people in the east, all the way from Onitsha to Holy Ghost park in Enugu, to Owerri, Weatheral road, down to Ariaria market suburb in Aba. With men in beer parlour, sipping from a bottle of Hero beer and a bowl of pepper soup, discussing the day’s affair on a cold night, with their friends or the ones they made at the beer parlour. Though, they became popular in Enugu, as they are brothers from Enugu.

Umu Obiligo can’t be new to the Ibos in Lagos neither are they oblivious of their commanding voice on the highlife genre, enhanced with the guitar and drums. Little could be said of them in the music industry, as their type of sound is not one that is the norm, but not anymore.

I heard one of their songs, ‘Udo Ga Adi’ when I went to Owerri, as far back as 2017. I tried searching for their songs online, as a lover of highlife music, even when I don’t understand whatever is being said. I couldn’t get a hold of it, except CDs played in my friend’s house whenever I went visiting…

Fast forward to 2020, they seem to have penetrated the Lagos market, with the help of Larry Gaga. Then they followed it up with another one by Larry Gaga featuring Davido, this seem to have shot them high there in the Lagos market. A space explored by ‘The Cavemen’ already (another strong duo of creatives). Alaba boys will be happy that they finally don’t have to go back home before they can enjoy the aura of this sound with their fellow brothers.

They recently released their album titled, ‘Signature (Ife Chukwu Kwulu)’ and trust me, it is one to listen to with fine rhythms from the beginning to the end.

I foresee them winning at least one Headies award for themselves in the next edition and they may actually have headies creating the Highlife category for them, with the hard work of The Cave Men, who are also brothers.