Kola Ogunkoya – The Rolling Stones of Afrobeat

Kola Ogunkoya is the Rolling Stones of Nigerian music industry. He knew he would end up becoming a musician. In fact, a successful one he once believed.

From the humble, young instrumentalist for one of Africa’s music giants Sir Victor Olaiya to leading his own band to several mega concerts in Nigeria with no record deal from recording companies, Kola is the typical a-can-do-spirit personality.

Such is the preamble for musical odsyssey of one of Africa’s most illustrious sons in world music – Kola Ogunkoya popularly known as Gbedu master.

Kola Ogunkoya’s family originated from Ijebu Remo, Ogun State, a commercially vibrant tribe in southwestern part of Nigeria. Kola Ogunkoya’s father was a police officer while the mother was a trader. Kola was born in Owerri, an Ibo speaking area of the eastern part of Nigeria.

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ecause of the nomadic career of his father, Kola Ogunkoya’s parents later moved back to Lagos and berthed in Mushin, a densely populated suburb in the city of Lagos.
The young Kola and his family were devoted members of Cherubim and Seraphim church. Kola and his siblings found themselves being part of the church choir almost every other time and performing in several church choirs and functions picking up and learning musical instruments.

Music became a passion and gradually tilting into a career for Kola Ogunkoya. A passion that pitched him against his policeman father who wanted him to take his education more seriously than indulging in a business that he felt was for the street and miscreants.
Kola ended up becoming a member of the legendary Sir Victor Olaiya’s band in the late 80s

Getting a record deal in Nigerian entertainment industry was a herculean task for Kola Ogunkoya. His many rejections by recording companies and their executives did not deter him and instead the young unassuming Kola and his band continued to perform endlessly at shows, concerts and events available.

This was a strategy that worked and launched his young band and he has proceeded to record several critically acclaimed sounds and mind blowing albums. Also launching his own record label Yoruba Records.

His romance with the Saxophone is a story he readily shares

While music gradually moved from beings a career into a passion, Kola has no regrets so far. In fact, it was a mission accomplished.

And for the up and coming ones striving hard in the entertainment industry, Kola Ogunkoya drops few lines for them as a form of encouragement.

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Article /Ireho Aito/photographs /Kola Ogunkoya