By Remi Adebayo, Ibadan
Alhaji Musiliu Haruna Ishola, son of late iconic Apala musician, Haruna Ishola has disclosed that Fuji musician, Abass Akande, popularly known as Obesere redirected his music direction for wider acceptance among the younger fans.
Alhaji Haruna stated this at the Madam Victoria Gbemuade Fashanu African Traditional Music Masterclass on Thursday, March 5, 2026 at the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State.
He described Obesere as his in-law with whom he enjoyed a very intimate relation.
The Soyoyo crooner stressed that singers Taye Currency, Saheed Osupa, Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, and others were greater than him because rather than inheriting parental fame like him, these musicians created their own brands and attained fame without leaning on anyone.
Narrating the impact of Obesere in the cause of his music, the musician said he once played at a social event in Lagos one year where he was billed to perform daytime while the Omorapala crooner was scheduled to play at night.
“When Obesere came in while I was playing, my show was abandoned and people ran to him. Instead of getting upset, I decided to wait for Obesere performance. When he saw me, he prostrated and asked why I was still around. I told him that I wanted to watch his show.
“At the end, I realised that ‘alujo’ (danceable beat) was responsible for the abandonment of my show. I then called my band members and drummers and instructed them that it was time to change the course of our beat,” Haruna said.
Haruna, who expressed gratitude to fans he inherited from his late father and those who love him for his music, commended his band members for standing with him for decades.
