Godwin ‘Kabaka’ Opara, the ace Nigerian highlife singer, is poised to release his latest album titled ‘Abialam’ after a 17-year hiatus from the music arena.
Kabaka, 77, is the founder of the well-known Oriental Brothers music group, which was created in the 1970s.
For the project’s release, the ace singer recently collaborated with the entertainment organization Derda Promotions.
Kabaka stated his pleasure and preparedness to “take over the music world” with his indigenous highlife record during a media briefing on Wednesday.
‘Abialam’ intends to rebuild the highlife genre, as well as address the controversies surrounding the Oriental Brothers and why the members went solo, according to the musician.
“It is so good returning after leaving the scene and with all that my brother and friend passing away,” he said.
On her part, Anyanwu Glory Ammarachi, the chief operating officer of Derda Promotions, described the partnership with Kabaka as a way to “bridge the generational gap between young and old while retaining the authenticity of our highlife music”.
“As a promotion company, this is the first legendary artiste, we would be working with and it is just to bridge the generational gap between young and old and also retain the authenticity of our highlife music,” she said.
“A project of this scale is a team effort. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Kabaka of the Oriental Brothers for entrusting Derda Promotions with the privilege of unveiling Abialam to the world.
“We also extend our deepest thanks to the Phiz team for their involvement in bringing Abialam to life. We invite music lovers, critics, and fans alike to join us in celebrating the musical genius of Kabaka and His Oriental Brothers.”
The six-track album is set for release on September 15.
In the project, Kabaka enlisted Sir Foreigner, the Bongo singer better known as Eze Bongo.
The original Oriental Brothers were formed by Kabaka with Dan Satch Emeka Opara, Sir Warrior, Nathaniel ‘Mangala’ Ejiogu, Hybrilious ‘Akwilla’ Alaraibe, and Prince Ichita.
The group first split in 1977 when Dan Satch Opara and Prince Ichita left to start their bands under the Oriental Brothers moniker.
Opara’s group put out six albums between 1977 and 1984, while Ichita’s band recorded two projects before he died in the early ’80s.
The three Opara brothers then reunited to record two albums: ‘Anyi Abiala Ozo’ in 1987 and ‘Oriental Ge Ebi’ in 1996.
Kabaka last put out a music project in 2006.
Some of his albums include ‘Uwa Atualamujo/Ihe Chinyere,’ ‘Ihe Oma,’ ‘Ischim Nyara Gi,’ ‘Five Fingers,’ ‘Oriental Special,’ ‘Osa Enwe Akwu,’ ‘Onyaoma Nmadu Eji Egbuya,’ ‘Anam Ele Chi,’ ‘Hallelujah,’ and ‘Madu Bu Aja’.
