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Dele Ojo (10 July 1938 – 3 May 2018) was a Nigerian musician and performer. He is revered as one of the musicians to have spread and popularized the Jùjú genre of music.

Early life

James Ogundele Ojo was born on 10 July 1938 in the village of Ilara-Mokin as the only child of Òjóọya and his wife. He came from a family of devout practitioners of the Yoruba religion. His father was a worshipper of the Yoruba deity Ogun, and thus was given the name Ogundele, meaning "Ogun has arrived home." His parents later converted to Christianity, and he was given the name James. His father Ojooya was born as one of the six children of Ọ̀ṣúnrẹ̀, who was a worshipper of the water deity Olokun and Oshun, and was a titled chief, in Ilara-Mokin. Osunre herself was born into a family of Ifa religion and Ogun worshippers. She was the third child of Aóòláè, a babalawo who was the Obaala of Ilara-Mokin, and his second wife, Ifalọ̀úrọ̀, an Olókun priestess who bore the title of Elerege. The Elerege is the head of an annual festival that celebrates the sacredness of womanhood, virginity, and honors the deity Olúa. Dele Ojo's great-grandmother, Ifalouro, was from the town of Igbara-oke

Education

He attended St. Michael's Primary school from 1944 to 1955. As a fresh primary school student in 1952, Dele was taught how to use a typewriter through the sponsorship of his father. In 1954, he secured a job as a clerk but resigned after three months before he was given another job as a local school teacher.

Career

Ojo's music career began when he met Victor Olaiya who employed him as a member of his music band. In 1969, Ojo formed a band called "Dele Ojo & His Star Brothers" after Olaiya had disbanded his group. Ojo and his group started recording and performing songs to massive reception in live shows in Ekiti State, Lagos and Osun State. They also toured several cities in the United States of America.

He died on 3 May 2018 at his hometown of Ilara Mokin in Ondo State at the age of 79.

Selected discography

This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (May 2016)

• Alafia
• Juju Music at Its Best

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References

1. Bode Omojola (2006). Popular Music in Western Nigeria: Theme, Style, and Patronage System. IFRA. ISBN 978-978-8025-11-5.
2. "Veteran Highlife Singer, Dele Ojo Is Dead". Reporters At Large. 4 May 2018.
3. ^ Ben-Nwankwo, Nonye (21 May 2016). "I left the US when my band members deserted me – Dele Ojo". The Punch. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
4. "Highlife Legend Dele Ojo Dies at 79". National Insight. 4 May 2018.

• Nigerian musician stubs
• 1938 births
• 2018 deaths
• 20th-century Nigerian musicians
• 21st-century Nigerian musicians
• Musicians from Ekiti State
• Yoruba musicians
• Yoruba-language singers of Nigeria
• 20th-century Nigerian male musicians
• 21st-century Nigerian male musicians