After 17-year hiatus, ace highlife singer Kabaka returns with ‘Abialam’ album

Godwin ‘Kabaka’ Opara, the ace Nigerian highlife singer, is set to release his latest album titled ‘Abialam’ — after 17-year absence from the music scene.

Kabaka, 77, is the leader of the famous Oriental Brothers music band formed in the 70s.

The ace singer recently partnered with Derda Promotions, the entertainment company, for the project release.

At a media briefing on Wednesday, Kabaka expressed his delight and readiness to “take over the music world” with his indigenous highlife album.

The musician said ‘Abialam’ aims to restore the highlife genre and to address the controversies surrounding the Oriental Brothers and why the members went solo.

“It is so good returning after leaving the scene and with all that my brother and friend passing away,” he said.

On her part, Anyanwu Glory Ammarachi, the chief operating officer of Derda Promotions, described the partnership with Kabaka as a way to “bridge the generational gap between young and old while retaining the authenticity of our highlife music”.

“As a promotion company, this is the first legendary artiste, we would be working with and it is just to bridge the generational gap between young and old and also retain the authenticity of our highlife music,” she said.

“A project of this scale is a team effort. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Kabaka of the Oriental  Brothers for entrusting Derda Promotions with the privilege of unveiling Abialam to the world.

“We also extend our deepest thanks to the Phiz team for their involvement in bringing Abialam to life. We invite music lovers, critics, and fans alike to join us in celebrating the musical genius of Kabaka and His Oriental  Brothers.”

The six-track album is set for release on September 15.

In the project, Kabaka enlisted Sir Foreigner, the Bongo singer better known as Eze Bongo.

The original Oriental Brothers were formed by Kabaka with Dan Satch Emeka Opara, Sir Warrior, Nathaniel ‘Mangala’ Ejiogu, Hybrilious ‘Akwilla’ Alaraibe, and Prince Ichita.

The group first split in 1977 when Dan Satch Opara and Prince Ichita left to start their bands under the Oriental Brothers moniker.

Opara’s group put out six albums between 1977 and 1984, while Ichita’s band recorded two projects before he died in the early ’80s.

The three Opara brothers then reunited to record two albums: ‘Anyi Abiala Ozo’ in 1987 and ‘Oriental Ge Ebi’ in 1996.

Kabaka last put out a music project in 2006.

Some of his albums include ‘Uwa Atualamujo/Ihe Chinyere,’ ‘Ihe Oma,’ ‘Ischim Nyara Gi,’ ‘Five Fingers,’ ‘Oriental Special,’ ‘Osa Enwe Akwu,’ ‘Onyaoma Nmadu Eji Egbuya,’ ‘Anam Ele Chi,’ ‘Hallelujah,’ and ‘Madu Bu Aja’.