Ebenezer Obey
Ebenezer “Chief Commander” Obey (* 1942 in Lagos ) is a Nigerian musician and evangelist .
Life
Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi comes from the Yoruba people . He grew up in Idogo , Ogun State . He gained his first experiences with music as a child and teenager in school and in various local music groups. In 1964 he moved to Lagos and formed the band The International Brothers there . Their musical style was represented by the Nigerian Jùjú music with elements of the Ghanaian highlife .
After the first album E wa wo ohun oju mi ri was a commercial failure, Olomi Gbo Temi brought the national breakthrough in 1966 and the group enjoyed great popularity. From 1963 to 1993 Ebenezer Obey released over 100 albums and received 30 gold and 2 platinum records. Unlike his rival King Sunny Ade , Obey's fame was largely confined to Nigeria. In the 1980s he tried to gain international renown with tours through England, Italy and the USA, sponsored by Virgin Records , but without success.
After 30 years of music career, Ebenezer Obey decided to become a preacher in 1993. Obey had grown up Christian; his songs often have religious themes. Obey sees his work as an affair of the heart and a destiny of God.
Web links
- Recordings by Ebenezer Obey in the catalog of the German National Library
- Detailed biography of Ebenezer Obey
See also
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Obey, Ebenezer |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Obey, Chief Commander (nickname) |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Nigerian musician and evangelist |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 1942 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Lagos |