Still retaining his cap as one of Nigeria’s finest music artistes till date, Afro-pop music icon, Sir Orlando Julius Ekemode, clocked 74 on Friday.
Having given 57 fruitful years to the music industry, the veteran will be hosted by fans in Belgium and will perform in two cities, Brussels and another in Belgium, where he will thrill guests with his lovely wife and dancer, Latoya Aduke Ekemode.
Known for his dexterity with music, Orlando Julius, who halls from Ilesha in Osun State, has, no doubt, inspired many artistes including Fela Kuti, who he inspired to play the trumpet during his early years.
The king of classics, as he is referred to, incidentally shares same birthday date with King Sunny Ade, and is also at home with the new school of musicians like Seyi Shay (Ololufe Mi), Blaise (Osika remix) and others.
That no more than a few artistes have been more crucial to the invention, development, and popularisation of Afro-pop than Orlando Julius, is stating the obvious.
Starting his musical journey in the states, Julius is known for his amazing skill at fusing traditional African sounds and rhythms with those of American pop, soul, and R&B.
Aside performing and recording in his home country, Nigeria, he spent many years in the United States working on collaborations with Lamont Dozier, the Crusaders, and Hugh Masekela. His 1966 effort, Super Afro
Soul, made him a national celebrity in Nigeria, going as far as to influence music in the United States.
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