Olufunmi: ID Cabasa revives Styl-Plus’ classic with Afrobeats stars

“We crafted new magic from a timeless classic,” ID Cabasam, best known for working with acts like Olamide and 9ice, posted on social media. “Styl-Plus provided us with an unforgettable gbedu, and we reimagined it with some friends.” Fireboy DML added that he “had a great time” working on the record, expressing gratitude to those who put the project together.

The rendition, titled ‘Olufunmi Reimagined’ and arriving with a Clarence Peters-directed video, maintains the dance-ready essence and nostalgic pull of the original, particularly by keeping Styl-Plus’ voices on the hook while introducing a modern twist with fresh verses and noticeable sprinklings of horns and strings. Like the version it reinterprets, the song centres on romantic love.

Fireboy DML opens the track, his lyrics conveying longing and a promise of enduring love. Rapper Odumodublvck, who comes next, takes a contrasting approach, boasting about his irresistible charm and the way women are naturally drawn to him. 

BOJ returns to the theme of longing in his verse, asking his partner to stay, suggesting that they should be together despite any obstacles, while Joeboy wraps up the song with a plea for another chance to make things work. 

The collaboration has already generated industry-wide praise, with fellow producer and Mavin Records CEO Don Jazzy expressing his excitement on social media. “Too excited for this one,” Don Jazzy commented. “Heavyweights on a reimagined classic.”

The original ‘Olufunmi’, taken from Styl-Plus’ Expressions LP, was a Nigerian pop classic that resonated widely across West Africa and helped catapult Styl-Plus to international stardom. 

In addition to ‘Olufunmi Reimagined’, ID Cabasa has been actively reworking other classic Nigerian hits. In December, he released a reimagined version of 9ice’s hit single ‘Photocopy’, which he originally produced. The updated version features rapper Vector.