SPOTLIGHT: 5 songs OJB Jezreel produced that made the Nigerian music industry

Today’s SPOTLIGHT starts our #TBT line up for today.

OJB Jezreel was the godfather of Nigeria contemporary music production. No A-list artiste from the 90s onwards can claim now they were never at Silver Point Studios in Surulere. You are not A-list if you never stepped in Jigga’s basement, period. Anybody wey dey produce music today for Naija Jigga na dem Papa. End of story. The man died on June 14 2016.

A minute of silence everybody, please.

Welcome back!

Today on SPOTLIGHT we review 5 songs OJB Jezreel produced that made the Nigerian industry what it is today. Enjoy, in memory of the guru.
Searching



The ace producer captures the slow moving but powerful rendition of the typical classic soul rhythm and blues cut on Searching. The lyrics are both sincere and haunting at the same time. This is the depth of true feeling, if truth really has anything to do with love.
Jazzman Olofin, Raise the roof ft. Adewale Ayuba



The traditional met the hip in Jazzman’s classic collabo with Adewale Ayuba, the fuji international super star. The song was actually both cover and remix of an Ayuba hit. But it is only OJB Jezreel that could deliver the mastery we experience over the combination of both genres of the game.
Paul Play, Mosorire



Rarely do children of music masters trace their father’s footsteps as closely as Paul Dairo did in this remake of his father’s classic song of the same name. And with Jigga’s production genius this quickly became the song that could be pointed at as having made Paul Dairo’s career.
Rugged Man, Baraje ft. C-mion



Some people would point at Rugged Man’s Ehen ft. Nomoreloss as the breakout song for the rugged one coming from OJB Jezreel. It was. Rugged man came out blasting at Kennis Music and their line up, running the airwaves at the time. But it is in Baraje that the vibe that stayed clear of negativities turned Rugged and his art to something that could roll beyond hardcore street beef stuff, the spirit on which future party anthems would build. With Nigeria’s Nate Dogg, C-mion, on the hook, OJB Jezreel told the world that the industry was ready to party.
Tuface Idibia, African Queen



The Nigerian song that conquered the globe needs neither much introduction nor more accolades. This was the one song that told the world that Nigerian music had come on board – to stay.

Ok, make I add one jara. This is Ruclean with the SwatRoot crew on Wetin I Want.



Stay blessed people!



odega shawa

IG: @shawa_kalakutabooks