Yusuf Olatunji

Yusuf Olatunji, also known as Baba Legba or Baba L’Egbaa (1905 -1978),was a Nigerian Sakara drum player, who popularized the sakara music style. He was purportedly born in 1905 or 1906 in a village called Gbegbinlawo in Ogun State in south-western Nigeria, although there are still doubts about the location of his birth. His mid-life conversion to Islam boosted his career in Yoruba music. He was born a Christian and he hailed from Iseyin in Oyo State. He was formerly known as Joseph Olatunji. He started his career in 1937 with his first record and he joined Abibu oluwa band in 1927.

He died on December 15, 1978 age 74. He is survived by 4 children and 3 wives. Olatunji was a friend of the late Lamidi Durowoju, Late Jimoh Ishola, who was later hanged in the late 80s, Late Raji Orire, Late Badejo Okunsanya and other great men. They were the rich men he mostly sang for. He also sang a lot of praise songs for some numerous prominent social clubs in Southwestern part of Nigeria. A very rich woman that goes by the name Alhaja Kuburatu Abike Adebisi known as cash Madam in Abeokuta sent him abroad for surgery, he died 7 years later.

Let’s talk about this great musician. His songs especially.

To the Elders.

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