Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

DAIRO, I. K.

(b Isaiah Kehinde Dairo, '30, Offa, Nigeria; d '96) Singer-composer, accordion; widely regarded as the father of juju music. Moved to his father's home town of Ijebu-Ijesha '37; unable to complete education, worked as apprentice barber, learning to make and play drums in spare time early '40s. Travelled widely in western Nigeria '42--6, working as cloth salesman, road builder, farm labourer, carpenter; settled in Ibadan, performing with early juju exponent Ojoge Daniel. Served ten-year musical apprenticeship, developing and refining own ideas; formed ten-piece Morning Star Orchestra '57, changed name to Blue Spots '61; began recording with Decca, releasing a huge number of records in 25 years; compilation of early sounds on The Juju Music Of I. K. Dairo. Soon famous in western Nigeria, but juju remained in the shadow of the highlife style; he represented Nigeria at Negro Arts Festival in Dakar '65 and as juju became main recreational music of Yoruba, Dairo was already the most popular artist. LPs from this period incl. Taxi Driver, Ashiko Music Vols 1 and 2, Iye Iye Iye and Iya Mi Iyo. Singing mainly in Yoruban but also English, Hausa, Urohobo and Itsikerri, he modernized juju, introduced accordion and talking drum to it; fame spread throughout Nigeria, also to Benin. Visited UK several times; awarded MBE, the first African musician to be so honoured. Despite challenges from Ebenezer Obey and Sunny Ade, he retained popularity through '70s with hit albums incl. Kekere, Emi Oni Gbe Sajo, Talaka Nke Ebi. Featured in TV documentary Beats Of The Heart '80; more albums incl. Iyo O Yemi '83, Mimo Mimo L'Olorun '84. Definitive Dairo '96 on Xenophile CD collects tracks recorded in London '71 and issued on Star in Nigeria.