- Ayinla Omowura was a musician born in 1933; he was married to more than a wife, and his daughter Queen Halimat is an Apala musician
- The father of one was killed at the age of 46 by his manager who was later sentenced to life imprisonment and later died by hanging
- Tunde Kelani recorded his story in a film, Ayinla in a film; Lateef Adedimeji played the role of the musician
Ayinla Omowura, born Waidi Ayinla Yusuf Gbogbolowo was a renowned talented Apala musician. He addressed societal issues and was known for his rich voice and lyrical content before his death in 1980, leaving behind his wives and children, including a singer, Queen Halimat.
The musician recorded several songs and albums in his lifetime such as Awa Kise Olodi Won, Ayinla Omowura Ise Ile, National Census 1973, Ina Ran, and Ise Aje.
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- Full Name: Waidi Ayinla Yusuf Gbogbolowo
- Nickname: Ayinla Omowura, Hadji (Alhaji) Consulate, Egunmogaji of Egbaland, Anigilaje
- Date of Birth: 1933
- Died: 6 May 1980
- Aged: 46 or 47 years old
- Place of Birth: Itoko, Abeokuta, Nigeria
- Parents: Yusuff Gbogbolowo (father) and Wuramotu Morenike (mother)
- Nationality: Nigerian
- Ethnicity: Yoruba
- Religion: Islam (also an alleged traditional worshiper)
- Sexuality: Straight
- Marital Status: Married (polygamous)
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Early Life and Family of the Famous Musician
Ayinla Omowura was born in 1933 in Itoko, Abeokuta, Nigeria. His parents were Yusuff Gbogbolowo (father) and Wuramotu Morenike (mother). His father was a blacksmith and his mother was a disciplinarian and also used to sing ege with other women.
With respect to Wuramotu’s discipline, she made the singer sit on 200 needles with the assurance of not hurting him.
Ayinla had an only brother, Dauda Gbogbolowo, and was raised in a home where he was exposed to music. His father was an itinerant Sakara musician.
Ayinla did not grow up in affluence or influence nor gain a formal education. Regardless of this, he learned several trades and was said to be an apprentice at his father’s blacksmithing job.
He also did a number of menial jobs such as serving as a driver, butcher, carpenter, and bus park boy.
What to Know About Ayinla Omowura’s Music Career
Ayinla was first a backup singer for a singer called Osho at Igboore in Agbo-Oba before he was discovered by drummer Adewole Alao Oniluola. At the time, Oniluola had a band but needed a vocalist and Ayinla’s voice captured his attention.
He adopted the stage name Omowura (the son of Wura – his mother). His fame grew over time with the band and he contributed to the popularity of Apala music.
In his career, he was known for his great lyrical prowess. He was known for using puns, proverbs, metaphors, and innuendos.
He also addressed societal issues in his music. He took a place of a messenger between the government and the people through music. Some messages found in his songs are those addressing salary increments in Nigeria, Lagos rent edict, census, change of the Nation’s currency, and even women who changed their complexions with bleaching.
In the early 1970s, the artist was signed to a record label, EMI Records. This contributed to how famous he was as well as the fame of his band with Oniluola.
According to an interview with Oniluola, in the 1970s, their music was more famous and they even became notable before musicians such as King Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey, and Barrister Sikiru.
Songs
- Awa Kise Olodi Won
- National Census 1973
- Omowura
- Emokan
- Pansaga Ranti Ojo Ola
- Ebi Kipagun D’ale
- Enirobisimi Ibiaba
- Challenge Cup
- Kollington Ayinla
- Late Owo-ni-fari
- Enu Dun Rofo
- Late Mary Awolowo
- Erin Onihun Se Nile
He was known for Fighting With Different Artists
Based on several reports, the artist had temper problems, fought with a lot of people, smoked marijuana, and was a heavy drinker. However, his drummer, Oniluola disclosed in an interview that the artist did not fight anyhow but he hated indiscipline and cheating.
He also recounted that Ayinla did not smoke and neither did he like or drink beer. He attested that the late singer would only drink some gin when they had to perform.
However, he did not completely keep himself away from fights and controversies. He fought several musicians such as Fatai Olowonyo and Yesufu Olatunji. Here’s what to know about his other fights in the music industry.
Ayinla’s Fight with Haruna Ishola
Haruna Ishola, also an Apala musician was notable in the music industry. The men were said to have feuded.
Their fight was related to music. Whatever the case, there are reports that Ishola later supported that Ayinla was his boss as the former started producing music before Ishola.
His Feud with Ayinde Barrister
Ayinla and Ayinde Barrister were at first friends before their relationship turned sour to the extent that Ayinde was accused of conniving to kill Ayinla.
Their fight reportedly started when Ayinla visited Barrister’s house and he was told to fill out a visitor’s form. The angry Ayinla then left the house.
There is another report that the beginning of their feud is rivalry and jealousy. According to this report, Ayinla wanted to remain at the top of the music industry and Barrister was becoming famous in fuji.
The fight landed the men releasing popular diss songs.
Ayinla Had a Fight Epo Akara
The Apala singer was said to have had a feud with Dauda Epo Akara, another musician. The story of the rivalry is contradictory as different sources have different tales to tell.
According to some reports, the rivalry between the singers went as far as leading Ayinla to curse Epo Akara’s car. Akara’s traditional man revolted against the curse and it killed 2 members of Epo’s band – Dauda and Omoboade.
The members died in an accident while returning from an event in Ibadan.
In an Oyo Insight report, a former Epo Akara band member refuted the claim that the allegation on Ayinla was true. He shared that the singers were even friends and it was fog that caused their accident and not any curse as it has been widely claimed. He also noted that many of the band’s members were drunk at the time of the accident.
Who was Ayinla Omowura Married to?
Omowura had more than a wife. The ones known are Afusatu of the Ile Eleni clan, Tawakalitu Owonikoko, and another woman known as Iya Agba.
The singer was known for also having mistresses. Based on rumors, he could do anything to get any woman he wanted, and as such he was said to have used black magic (love potion) on some of the women that he wanted.
In the book, Ayinla Omowura: Life and Death of the Legend based on his story one of his surviving wives, Iya Agba alleged that he sent her a fried guinea fowl. Although she claimed that she was warned not to eat, she was adamant and it made her start craving the musician afterward.
Many of his relationship details stayed out of the public space.
He was Accused of Rape
Ayinla was accused of rape and reports even suggest that he went to jail for the gang rape of a woman identified as Amosa oniresi ni Sodeeke.
Nonetheless, based on reports, this happened before he became famous.
In an interview with his former drummer, it has been revealed that there were allegations that he deflowered a lady in another man’s house. When the man arrived and notice that the girl had bled and was weak, he called the authority and the singer was said to be arrested for “rape”.
Meet Ayinla’s Children
The musician had children and he was said to have loved them so much that he gave many of them marks so another man would never claim them. Another source gave the reasons for the marks differently.
The source claims that Ayinla had tribal marks and that was good reason enough to give his children the same.
Whatever the case, the singer tried to give his children an education but not all of them were able to explore that path.
With respect to their private and career lives, many of the singer’s children have stayed away from the public, his first son was Akeem Gbogbolowo “Omowura”, a singer who died in 2016.
Another child of Ayinla is Queen Halimat, born Morenike Ashabi. She is a trained nurse and an Apala musician.
Ayinla died when Halimat was only 5 years old but at the time, she was already exposed to his music right from home. In fact, his producer, the late Alabi Atenisemesi also became her producer before his death.
4 decades after Ayinla’s demise, Halimat released an album entitled Apala Extra Ordinary in 2021. The album was released under Exotic records owned by Adegbesan Olusegun.
Also, the album was to celebrate the memory of the legendary singer as well as to remind people that although he may not be physically present, he immortalized himself through music.
What to Know About Ayinla Omowura’s Death
Ayinla died on May 6 1980 at about the age of 46-47. The legendary musician died at a bar in Ago-Ika, Abeokuta after he was struck on the head with a beer mug by his then-manager, Fatai Bayewumi in a fight.
This then led to a cerebral hemorrhage that killed him.
In his last hours, the reportedly left one of his wife’s homes after having a meal and then headed to the bar. There, there was a fight, and its result was what led to his demise.
A day after, EMI Records recorded at least 50,000 copies sale on each of Ayinla’s albums.
Well, Bayewu was arrested, charged to court, and sentenced to death a few years after.
About 6 months prior to his demise, Ayinla had predicted his death. Sources point out that he had told Bayewumi that he was his Judas and would be the cause of his death.
According to a report by City People Online, Bayewumi “Baiyewu” gave his life to Christ while serving a jail term. He also led others to Christ. According to the report, the former music manager was later killed by hanging alongside 13 other prisoners in Abeokuta Prison.
All that Happened After His Death
His Succession
Following his death, his band called on his only brother named Dauda to take his place. This was said to have brought rivalry between Dauda and Ayinla’s oldest son, Akeem.
Sources claim that their feud continued for years and other immediate and extended family members were affected.
In 2005 Dauda died while Akeem died in 2016. There are recordings that their deaths were caused by their rivalry.
See Also: Who Is Dunsin Oyekan? His Career, Wife, And Children
A Film was Made About His Life
Famous and legendary filmmaker Tunde Kelani recorded a biopic about the singer titled Ayinla. The film was written by Ade Derek Adeniji and was released in 2021.
Actor Lateef Adedimeji played Ayinla. Other actors in the movie are Edunjobi Abdulganiu, Adebowale Adedayo, Bimbo Ademoye, Adejuke Adeosun, and Kunle Afolayan.
The film which is also on Netflix recorded ₦91.4 million at the Box Office against its ₦50 million budget.
It also generally received general reviews and was nominated in 4 categories at the 2021 Africa Movie Academy Awards in the categories of
- Best Actor in a Leading Role (Lateef Adedimeji)
- Achievement in Cinematography (won)
- Best Film in an African Language
- Best Nigerian Film
There is a Book About His Life
The book, Ayinla Omowura: Life And Time Of An Apala Legend was written by Festus Adebayo.
The book was published by Noirledge and it recounts the times of Ayinla and even his death.
Also, the book has 570 pages and it narrates the story of the musician from his family to growing up, fame, controversies, and death.
Away from these books that have received many positive reviews, there are several other written documentation about the legendary artist.
Presently and many years following the death of Ayinla, he is still celebrated for the mark he made in the music industry. While his genre, Apala is not famous, his music lives on.
He will also continue to be one who has seen the rise of music in Nigeria.
