The Remix: Simi takes on Ebenezer Obey

Born Simisola Bolatilo Ogunleye, Simi kick started her career as a gospel Singer, and went on to release her first album; Ogaju. Although this output would not be said to have soared, however Simi embodies an inspiring sense of persistence as she didn't start to make waves until 2014, at the release of her famous single ‘Tiff’, which would be six years after her official step into the Nigerian music scene.

One could easily assume that her haitus was a time for reeducation, unlearning, and self - discovery as she has been able to carve a tender niche in the ears of her avid listeners; perhaps because of her intentional appendage of a soulful Yoruba accent running in undisturbed tandem with her Pidgin/English lyrics, or her exciting relaying of mundane issues as in the antics of love as seen in ‘Jamb Question’ and ‘Soldier’ both respective wave makers, it could of course come back to being her soulful, birdy voice, but whatever it is, Simi sure understands her capabilities, just as she isn't afraid to use them.

This comes with authentication through her most recent self-titled, second studio album ‘Simisola’, with only Adekunle Gold as a featured artist, and from where her version of Chief Ebenezer Obey’s epic tune ‘Aimasiko’ finds a pleasurable modern twist.

A twist that is yet, very conscious of the wisdom the original song is meant to convey, while both artists approached this in different ways; seeing as mainstream music allows only for snappy, straight forward, and minimalistic lyrics in production, the vintage counterpart is free ranging, allowing for the band to weave artfully through intermissions, and in a more relaxed manner, as opposed to Simi’s party friendly tune, it seems quite hard to not be in awe of what Simi has done with this absolutely fine song.

The title/ theme of the song ‘Aimasiko’ the ignorance of time( specifically one’s time for breakthrough) being slightly obsolete in a mentality redesigned world, can take only the guts of a genius to give it the urgency it needs to match recent times.

While Chief Ebenezer Obey rode free on the sleighs of wise sayings and Yoruba proverbs, Simi gives it a widely receptive touch up by setting things off in pidgin (laced of course with her almost playful accent)

“you dey work ooo, you dey pray,

You dey push ooo, everyday,

You dey try oo no be play.. But your hustle never pay..”

This here cuts across to the everyday man, a friendly advice of sorts, to hold on, to persist, yet take things easy, to believe, and to keep hard at work because one’s moment of breakthrough is known to none.

Although many have attempted renditions, it would be safe to say that this is one exceptional tune where attention is paid to every detail; where things like her use of a band might suggest caricature or a sort of parody familiar with renditions, on the contrary, everything plays out flawlessly, such that the revamped tune could be mistaken for the original one, the back ups (just as they were in the vintage version) giving the song a lively, party friendly boom, and the overall arrangement telling of a serious artist with a serious appreciation for age, and excellent work.

With this jam, this powerful fusion of wisdom and talent, it is certain that even the aged wouldn't feel left out of mainstream music, and without doubt Chief Ebenezer Obey must be exceptionally proud of this redefinition.