Luaka Bop Records

Oshomah, Alhaji Waziri – Vol. 1-5 (1978-1984) [5xLP BOX SET] – New LP

$ 112.00

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Alhaji Waziri Oshomah — known to his fans in southern Nigeria as the Oyoyo King, the On the heels of his already critically acclaimed (yes, already!) forthcoming retrospective, WORLD SPIRITUALITY CLASSICS 3: THE MUSLIM HIGHLIFE OF ALHAJI WAZIRI OSHOMAH, Alhaji Waziri Oshomah — the Oyoyo King, the Godfather of Afemai Music, the Etsako Super Star, Mr. Please Please Please, Mr. Dynamite — returns with his complete Volume Series, compiled for the first time in a 5 LP box set.

Waziri hails from a small part of Edo State in southern Nigeria called Afemailand, known for being a harmonious region where Muslims and Christians live—and dance—together. And there, as a devout Muslim and an exemplar of religious piety in his community, Waziri’s music fuses Etsako/Afemai folk styles with pan-Nigerian highlife and pop to create a sublime vehicle for his Islamic philosophy that gets everyone—Muslims, Christians, whoever—on the dancefloor.

This 5 LP set, VOL. 1-5 (1978-1984), focuses on Waziri’s illustrious mid-career output—the music he created during the years leading up to and after he made his first hajj. Every song here (some of which you might recognize from THE MUSLIM HIGHLIFE) strikes his signature balance of traditional music, highlife, and funk, as he entreats you to stay on the straight and narrow, though there’s nothing straight about his beat.

Included in the box set is a copy of THE JOURNEY SO FAR, a limited-edition book written and designed by his children, to celebrate Waziri’s remarkable life and career

Godfather of Afemai Music, the Etsako Super Star — is the originator of a form of Muslim highlife that fuses local folk styles with pan-Nigerian highlife and Western pop.

A devout Muslim and an exemplar of religious piety in his community, Waziri has recorded more than 100 albums over the course of his decades-long career. To this day, he continues to perform to adoring audiences who regard him as the greatest entertainer in Edo State.

Alhaji Waziri Oshomah begins his sermon before a dancing crowd.

His lyrics warn about the vice of jealousy, but the congregation is here to get down. We’re in a small part of Edo State in southern Nigeria called Afenmailand, which is known for being a harmonious region where Muslims and Christians live—and dance—together. The atmosphere is one of enjoyment, excitement, and pleasure, because to see Waziri perform is to be addressed, body and soul.

He's the creator of a unique dance music that's fused with local folk styles, highlife, and Western pop, and imbued with Islamic values—and he's the greatest entertainer in all of Edo State.

They call him the Etsako Super Star.

released 2022

Alhaji Waziri Oshomah
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