I wrote the song “Oba” because I needed a way to connect with my people, my roots, where I’m from which is Edo state

Words by Sesan Adeniji

Today, If you make a list of the top five highest earning artists in the Nigerian music industry, the one element that has allowed their songs to resonate with ages grades across gender and borderlines is the fact that they have successfully master the art of infusing local cultural lingo and rhythm into their music. Right now, pop-music royalty is defined through the lens of those that understands the local market.

It doesn’t matter if you are a rapper, singer or dancer based in Nigeria or outside the shores of this country; everyone is injecting local elements into their body of work. This allows them to trace their way back to their roots to connect with the legion of grass-roots audience waiting to become their card-carrying devotees.

From Wizkid to Davido, Phyno to Olamide, Tiwa Savage to Yemi Alade, these artists command die-hard local audience all across the country. Another artist ready to take that further is Mustapha Bello a.k.a T-Kross. His latest ‘Oba’ music docu-series ignites the significance of the Benin cultural heritage. Arguably, this is the first time in the history of the industry where an artiste will shoot a documentary-like music project to propagate his cultural gospel.

“I wrote the song Oba because I needed a way to connect with my people, my roots, where I’m from which is Edo state. I was born and raised in Benin City, we stayed near Ogbe Stadium and moved once or twice before moving to our place in Ikpoba Hill. Remembering how fun it was walking passed the Oba’s Palace to and fro from school.

DOWNLOAD – T-Kross – “Oba”

Everyday was like a movie, the stories my Grandma told us, the books we read in school, it suddenly just hit me, why would I be trying to be like everyone else when I’m from the best place on earth. At that point, I figured nobody would know except I started telling my story. I decided to start by telling the tale about the King (Oba).

You will find out what the follow up will be soon but I guarantee you, it’s #goan be epic. I already put out a hint on my Instagram a little while back…look out for “Edo Girl”. Let me say this, there’s nothing wrong is singing in other peoples or culture languages but just make sure your identity isn’t lost in the process because remember, music is a universal language”- T-Kross