Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe

Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe (17 March 1936 – 11 May 2007), often referred to as just Osita Osadebe, was a Nigerian Igbo highlife musician from Atani. During his career spanning over four decades, he became one of the best known musicians of Igbo highlife. His best-known hit was the 1984 single "Osondi Owendi", which established him as a leader in the highlife genre and was one of Nigeria's most popular records ever.

Biography Osadebe was born on 17 March 1936, in the Igbo town of Atani, the city on the eastern bank of the Niger River in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, Southeastern Nigeria. He came from a line of singers and dancers in Igboland. His genre, Highlife, encompassed Igbo and traditional musical elements. Along with this, calypso, Samba, bolero, rumba, Jazz and waltz were also present in Osadebe's musical style. It was in his high school years in Onitsha, a major commercial city near Atani, that Osadebe grew interested in music. A prolific composer, Osadebe released his first album in 1958, and went on to write over 500 songs; half of which were released commercially.

As he became better established, Osadebe's style matured to include social commentary, similar to, but not as confrontational as Fela Kuti. Personal trials and tribulations were usually the main topics of his commentaries. He sang in English, pidgin English and Igbo. Osadebe often extended his tracks for his audience's enjoyment, allowing room for 'people on the dance floor' to indulge in the songs.

Discography

Mkojo - 1985 Yoba Chukwu Ozubulu Brothers - 2007 Okpi Uzo Enweilo - 2007 Singles "United Nigeria" / "Okpaku Elieli" Stephen Osadebay and Nigerian Soundmakers, 1962-63 (His Master's Voice NH37) "Sylvanu Olympio" / "Ifeayi CMakojo - 1985 Egwu Ogolo - 1985 Abube 85 Oguigha - 1985 Yoba Chukwu - 1986 Star Social Club Of Nigeria - 1987 An'Edo Social Club - 1987 A gbala a.k.a Na Azo - 1987 Onu Uwa Ana Masi Ije Uwa - 1988 Gwam Okwu - 1988 Nwanem Ebeniza - 1996 Ka-Anyi Jikota - 1996 Agadi Nwanyi Na Nri Sports rd's Special Onuigbo - 1996 Aye Mama - 1996 Nyem Obi Gi - 1996 Kwue Nkeyi En'u Wa Nwanne Dmamba - 2006 Onukwulu Njo - 2006 Ndia Na Ndia Anaedo Special Kedu America - Gretthukwu" Stephen Osadebay and Nigerian Soundmakers, 1962-63 (His Master's Voice NH41) "Monkey De Work Baboon De Chop" / "Nwezigbo Omume" Commander In Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe & His Nigeria Sound Makers, 1971 (6259085 PE)/"Egwu Amala"/"Ndubusi" Albums

Highlife Parade Commander-in-Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe & His Nigerian Sound Makers, 1970 (PR 6386 009) Stephen Osita Osadebe & His Nigeria Sound Makers 1972 (PL 6361 024) Commander In Chief Stephen Osadebe & His Nigeria Sound Makers 1972 (PL 6361 015) Osadebe '75 Commander-In-Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe & His Nigerian Sound Makers International, 1975 (POLP 001) Osadebe In London Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe & His Nigerian Sound Makers International, 1975 (POLP 003) Osadebe '76 Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe & His Nigeria Sound Makers International, 1975 (POLP 004) Osadebe '76 Vol. 2 Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe & His Nigerian Sound Makers International, 1976 (POLP 007) Chief Osadebe '77 Vol.1 1977 (POLP 010) Osadebe '78 1977 (POLP 017) Osadebe '78 Vol.2 1978 (POLP 024) Arum Achoro Nsogbu Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe And His Nigerian SoundMakers International, 1979 (POLP 032) Agbalu Aka Azo Ani 1980 (POLP 052) Osadebe In 80's - Oyolima Vol. 1 1980 (POLP 048) Onu Kwulunjo, Okwue Nma 1981 (POLP 056) Onye Bili - Ibeya Ebili 1981 (POLP 058) Nke Onye Diliya 1981 (POLP 060) Ogbahu Akwulugo 1982 (POLP 077) Onye Ije Anatago 1982 (POLP 074) Ndi Dum Tufu Dum Cho '83 1982 (SPOSA 002) Igakam Ogonogo 1982 (POLP 089) Onye Achonam 1982 (POLP 075) Ok'puzo Enweilo 1982 (POLP 092) Onye Kwusia Olieonuya Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe And His Nigerian Sound Makers International, 1982 (POLP 101) Unubi Top Special Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe & His Nigerian Sound Makers International, 1984 (SPOSA 006) Makojo Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe & His Nigerian Sound Makers International, 1985 (POLP 125) Nwanneka Special Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe & His Nigerian Sound Makers International, 1986 (SPOSA 008) Peoples Club Of Nigeria Special Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe & His Nigerian Sound Makers International, 1987 (SPOSA 010) Ife Onye Metalu Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe & His Nigerian Sound Makers International, 1987 (POLP 165) Ana Masi Ife Uwa Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe & His Nigerian Sound Makers International, 1988 (POLP 194) Nigeria Go Better Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe & His Nigerian Sound Makers International, 1988 (POLP 184) Eji - Keme Uwa Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe & His Nigerian Sound Makers International, 1992 (JNLP 009) Late Sam Okwaraji[Polp 245 -Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe and his Nigerian Soundmakers International, 1990 Ezi Oyi Amaka[Polp 232]-Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe and his Nigerian Soundmakers International, 1990 Ndi Ochongonoko[Polp 144]-Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe and his Nigerian Soundmakers International, 1986 Onyiewe Ewerato {Polp 008]-Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe and his Nigerian Soundmakers International, 1983 Ofe Di Ufo [Agb 001]-Chief Osita Osadebe and his Nigerian Soundmakers International, 1981 Akwa-Etiti social club[SPOSA 005]-Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe and his Nigerian Soundmakers International, 1985 Osondi Owendi [Polp 120]-Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe and his Nigerian Soundmakers International, 1984 Onye Atumuna [Polp 058]-Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe and his Nigerian Soundmakers International, 1991 Onye Amamife[PMCD 024]-Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe and his Nigerian Soundmakers International, 1994 Kedu America [XENO 4044]-Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe and his Nigerian Soundmakers International, 1996 Ozonkemadu [SPOSA 012]-Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe And his Nigerian Soundmakers International, 1987 Ife Chukwu Kanma [KMLP 001]-Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe his Nigerian Soundmakers International, 1991 Ndia na Ndia [Polp 233]-Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe and his Soundmakers International, 2004