Anthony Babajide Omileyan Ojomo, a dynamic Afrobeat musician and creative visionary, says his music was inspired by the legendary sounds of Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Dr. Orlando Owoh, and Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister.
He referred to the trio as giants who used music to challenge authority and connect with the masses.
Fela Anikulapo Kuti (Abami Ẹda) emphasised fearlessness, ideology, and political consciousness; Orlando Owoh demonstrated discipline, authenticity, and cultural elegance; and Ayinde Barrister exemplified innovation, creativity, and social responsibility. All three taught me about lifestyle discipline, belief systems, the African cultural mindset, and a strong spiritual identity,” he said.
He said their inspiring strides inspired him to incorporate traditional instruments such as omele, gangan, and bata into Afrobeat to make his music unique.
Babajide, whose stage name is Omileeyan, stated that he plans to use Afrobeat, folklore, and bush-centric jazz to create a soundscape that celebrates African spirituality, unity, and cultural pride, bringing his vibrant message to the global stage.
In an interview with The Nation, the Afrobeat star stated that his music carries the torch of Afro-root revival, fusing traditional African rhythms with modern expression to resurrect lost beats and voices from his heritage.
“My Yoruba ancestry profoundly influences my music and storytelling through rhythmic complexity, tonal language, and oral traditions. It’s a living archive that connects the past and present, influencing genres like Afrobeats, highlife, folklore, and African bush-centric jazz,” he explained.
Despite being born and raised in Lagos, the Ondo-born music star claims that living among the Awori greatly influenced his music by exposing him to diverse rhythms, street consciousness, and cultural fusion, all of which had a significant impact on his creative vision.
When asked how he differs from other Afrobeat artists, he stated, “Omileeyan builds on the foundation of Afrobeat by merging political consciousness with complex musical structures.” I prioritise long-form, spiritually driven compositions over short commercial hits, thereby contributing to the genre’s legacy.
My music entertains, but it also preserves culture and serves as a source of African pride.”
The artist who recently released two tracks called All We Wait For and Sisi Pelebe,
He is still committed to blending traditional elements with contemporary sounds, allowing authenticity to meet global appeal without diluting it.
Omileeyan, who has previously collaborated with Yinka Davies, hopes to collaborate with Asa, Burna Boy, Terry Apala, Lagbaja, TeeMac, Alikiba, Harmonise, Rayvanny, and Tracy Chapman.
