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OJB Jezreel

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Nigerian music artist (1966–2016)
OJB Jezreel.
BornBabatunde Augustine Okungbowa
(1966-07-04)July 4, 1966
Surulere, Lagos
DiedJune 14, 2016(2016-06-14) (aged 49)
Isolo, Lagos
Other namesJiggaman, DJ Young, Bishop
Children7 including Ayokunle Okungbowa (Ayo Jezreel)
Musical career
Genres
Occupation(s)Musician, singer, songwriter, record producer
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • piano
  • drums
Years active1986-2016
LabelsKennis Music, Amazing Records
Musical artist

Babatunde Okungbowa (4 July 1966 – 14 June 2016), popularly known by his stage name OJB Jezreel or OJB, was a Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer. He died on June 14, 2016, of kidney disease.

Early life

Babatunde Okungbowa a.k.a. OJB Jezreel was born on July 4, 1966, in Lagos to Chief Anthony Okungbowa and Isabella Abiodun Okungbowa (nee Pinheiro) in a matrimony that produced 5 others. He was the last child of his mother.

He attended Yewande Memorial Primary School and Mainland Preparatory Elementary School between 1972–1977.

He graduated from Federal Government College, Ijanikin in 1986 where he organized a music concert while he was a student of the school.

OJB furthered his education at Lagos College of Education and Liter-way College, Holland, Year 1987-1990. However, in true pursuit of his passion and a real career, he decided to follow his path in life as an artiste/music producer.

For the prolific producer, music started back in 1986. The artiste started making beats in back room studios, first in his Surulere neighbourhood and later in other parts of the city.

His first son Ayokunle Okungbowa is the rising gospel artist also known as Ayo Jezreel.

Career

OJB Jezreel was a seasoned producer and a great musician. Over the years, he has produced some of the greatest hit albums and singles in the history of R&B hip-hop and afrobeat music in the entertainment scene in Africa.

He worked with 2face Idibia who is one of the greatest African artists ever. OJB Jezreel single handedly produced 'Face 2 Face', the album that contained tracks like African Queen that took 2face Idibia to another level.

He has worked with Beenie Man, a Jamaican American-based musician.

He produced for artistes like RuggedMan re-establishing rap music to gain its ground in Nigeria. He also produced Jazzman Olofin, Weird MC, Paul Ik Dairo, Daddy Showkey, Sir Shina Peters, Olu Maintain.

OJB also produced albums and songs for Kcee, Faze, Iyanya, D'banj, Durella, Wizkid, Yemi Alade etc. to mention a few.

He made so much impact in the music industry thereby making Nigeria the cradle of entertainment in Africa also emerging a spotlight in Africa, he remains the greatest producer ever to emerge from the continent Africa.

As a musician he is one of the greatest vocalists and by virtue of years of experience as a producer he has been able to impact his gathered knowledge into his style of music thereby making him Mr. versatile in his last album ‘No Drama’ with great hit songs like ‘Searching’ and ‘Pretete’ which created so much impact that it sold close to one million copies in less than 4 weeks without the push and promotion of a record label. If you call OJB Mr. versatile, he is.

Discography

Singles

  • "Pretete"
  • "Searching"
  • "Beautiful as You Are"
  • "Soldier"
  • "Pon Pon"
  • "Shitta Anthem"
  • "Gbemileke"
  • "Keys to My Heart"
  • "Oleku"
  • "Follow Me" ft. Goody Goody
  • "I Believe"
  • "I Don Tire"
  • "Missing You"
  • "No More"
  • "Malaika"
  • "Dallu"
  • "Wan Yoh Ma"
  • "Get There"
  • "What It Gonna Be"

Production

Albums

Personal life

OJB was married to three wives, Mabel, June & Korede with eight children between them.

The respected music producer and singer battled with Kidney problems since 2013. He was consequently flown to India for a transplant in 2013. With his kidney experience, he decided to set up a Foundation, ‘OJB Foundation’ to help people with kidney problems in appreciation to God for saving his life.

However, his kidney transplant failed again a week before his demise and OJB passed on. He is survived by his wife Mabel and her 3 children, June and her 3 Children Denzel, Emmanuel & Zion, and Korede and her 2 children Damilare & Ifebiyi.

OJB was buried on 8 July 2016.

Awards

  • Best Producer At Faith Award 2000
  • Best Duo Group At Faith Award 2000
  • Best Song At Faith Award 2000
  • Best Pop At Faith Award 2000
  • My Mic My Sway ( Recognition award for his Inspiration & Contribution to African Youth)
  • NEA Honours (Nigerian Entertainment Awards) In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the Nigeria Entertainment Industry.
  • Outstanding Achievers Award From Y’S Dom Of Black Kulture Inc.
  • Best Music Producer, Nigeria Music Award Owerri
  • Dynamic Global Concepts Award

Filmography

Anjola 2015

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References

  1. "PHOTO: Late OJB Jezreel and His Bological Son, Gospel Singer Ayokunle - AMEBO ONLINE NEWSPAPER".
  2. Temiloluwa Temiloluwa (2016-06-14). "OJB Jezreel dies at 49 | Punch Newspapers". Punchng.com. Retrieved 2016-06-19.
  3. "Music producer OJB is dead, 3 years after kidney transplant - Vanguard News". Vanguardngr.com. 2016-06-14. Retrieved 2016-06-19.
  4. "Photo: Late OJB Jezreel And His Biological Son, Gospel Singer Ayokunle".
  5. "5 Artists Who Started Their Careers With OJB Jezreel | Nigerian Entertainment Today - Nigeria's Number 1 Entertainment Daily". Thenet.ng. 2013-06-30. Archived from the original on 2016-06-17. Retrieved 2016-06-19.
  6. Adebayo Emuleomo (14 June 2016). "11 famous Nigerian artistes OJB Jezreel produced hit songs for". YNaija.com. Retrieved 2016-06-19.
  7. Harbimz (2016-06-21). "OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE: The Truth About The Life Of OJB Jezreel 'Jiggaman'". Olodo Nation. Retrieved 2016-06-21.
  8. Naij.com (25 February 2014). "OJB Jezreel's 3 Wives And 8 Children (Photos) ▷ NAIJ.COM". naij.com. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  9. "OJB Jezreel sets up kidney foundation - The Nation Nigeria". thenationonlineng.net. 15 March 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  10. "Music producer, OJB Jezreel dies of kidney failure". guardian.ng. 15 June 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  11. "#RIPOJB: Meet the 3 Wives and 8 Children OJB Jezreel Left Behind | Nigerian Entertainment Today - Nigeria's Number 1 Entertainment Daily". Archived from the original on 2016-07-19. Retrieved 2016-07-09.
  12. Odumade, Omotolani (8 July 2016). "OJB: Dele Momodu, others attend singer's burial - Celebrities - Pulse". pulse.ng. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
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