Unearthing Lost Etsako Classics: The Full Albums

A Forgotten Treasure of Sound

Across the valleys and farmlands of Edo North, Nigeria, lies a treasure trove of sound, history, and memory. For decades, the Afemai people, particularly the Etsako, expressed their joys, struggles, and aspirations through music.

These songs were more than entertainment. They were carriers of language, chronicles of community events, and vessels of spiritual reflection.

Yet, as modernity swept across Nigeria, many of these musical treasures faded. Records once played at ceremonies, vinyls that brought families together at dusk, and tapes that echoed through markets slowly disappeared from memory. Today, only fragments survive in homes, old collections, or fading recollections of elders.

This is why the project Unearthing Lost Etsako Classics: The Full Albums was born. It is an intentional cultural rescue effort, an attempt to revive not just the songs, but the worlds they embody.

A Mission Rooted in Culture

This project is more than archiving. It is about conserving and propagating the culture of the Afemai through storytelling and creative media.

For centuries, music has been central to Afemai identity. From the percussive intensity of traditional drums to the lyrical depth of folk storytelling, these works embody resilience, joy, and communal living.

The Afemai, often overlooked in wider narratives of Nigerian culture, have nonetheless made superb contributions across governance, arts, commerce, and social life. Their music is a living testimony of that contribution. To conserve it is to ensure that future generations remain connected to their roots.

From Passion to Project

With over twenty years of experience in media, I have seen firsthand the power of storytelling in shaping perception and legacy. That experience, combined with my deep passion for Afemai culture, led me to launch Etsako Guy, a creative platform dedicated to documenting and projecting Afemai heritage.

Through video documentaries, digitized full albums, cultural showcases, and community events, Etsako Guy is building a bridge between past and present. Each rediscovered album is not just music but a journey into time, inviting audiences to feel, hear, and understand the values preserved in sound.

Icons of Etsako Music

The story of Etsako music cannot be told without its legendary voices:

Chief Vincent Ugabi – A storyteller whose songs defined community gatherings

Sir Alhaji Waziri Oshomah – Pioneer of Afemai modern sound, blending highlife, Afrobeat, and Etsako rhythms

Collins Oke – Celebrated for his fusion of folk and popular Nigerian sounds

Late Akhanmisi – A traditionalist whose music carried deep ancestral tones

Agbi Dance Group – Brought ceremonial and celebratory life to villages

Esther Omozele – One of the few notable female voices, adding balance and depth

Jeremiah Oshiorenua also known as Jericho – A vibrant performer whose songs taught and entertained

These musicians, along with countless unsung local performers, preserved Etsako identity through melodies, proverbs, and rhythms.

Why It Matters Now

In a globalized world, cultures that do not tell their own stories risk being forgotten. While Nigerian music has gained global fame through Afrobeat and Afropop, local traditions remain underrepresented.

By shining a light on Etsako classics, we expand the story of Nigerian music beyond Lagos clubs and international charts, rooting it in ancestral wisdom and community traditions.

There is also urgency. Many original custodians of these songs are aging. Without documentation, their voices and legacies could vanish forever. Digitizing and sharing their works ensures Afemai youth and the world can access this inheritance with pride.

Looking Ahead

Unearthing Lost Etsako Classics: The Full Albums is only the beginning. The vision extends into oral histories, festivals, cuisine, fashion, and contemporary expressions of Afemai heritage.

The goal is not nostalgia alone, but continuity, ensuring Afemai culture remains alive, adaptive, and respected. In celebrating our past, we inspire creativity for the future.

Proudly Afemai

This mission is both personal and communal. Proudly Afemai, I am committed to projecting Afemai to Afemais and to the world.

To my people, this is a reminder of who we are and what we have contributed. To the wider Nigerian and global audience, this is an invitation to listen, to learn, and to celebrate with us.

The beat of Afemai is still alive. It only needs to be heard again, one lost classic at a time.

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