Odolaye Aremu
Mohammodu Odolaye Aremu was an Ilorin-born Dadakuada artist who sang in many Yoruba cities and recorded many albums until he died in 1997. During his life, he lived in many places including Ibadan, Ilorin, Abeokuta, Okeho, Shaki and Lagos. However, he spent most of his time in Ibadan.
Also recorded as Mohammodu Odolaye Aremu · Alhaji Odolaye Aremu
Odolaye Aremu
- Name
- Odolaye Aremu
- Born
- 1943
- Birthplace
- Ilorin
- Died
- 1997
- Occupation
- Folks Musician, Praise Singer
- Nationality
- Nigeria
- Languages
- Yoruba
Reference Check
Propose documentary evidence for Odolaye Aremu. A contribution is never written directly as fact: identity, source, rights and evidence gates still decide.
Sign in to contribute
World of VALÉORINE
Documentary connections
Only confirmed graph relationships appear here. Images are shown only when their identity and reuse rights both pass the documentary gate.
Documentary evidence
Documentary basis
Authority files
wikidata · Q105101586 · wikipedia · Odolaye Aremu
In this article
Key facts
Key facts
• Honorific Prefix — Alhaji • Name — Odolaye Aremu • Native Name — Mohammodu Odolaye Aremu • Born — 1943 • Birthplace — Ilorin • Origin — Ilorin • Died — 1997 • Genre — Dadakuada • Occupation — Folks Musician, Praise Singer • Instrument — Gangan, Bata Talking Drum • Label — Olatubosun Records
Early life
Early life
Odolaye Arẹmu was a renowned Yoruba oral poet and musician from Ilorin, Nigeria. Born and raised in Ilorin, he later based himself in Ibadan during the 1960s and 1980s.
Musical career
Musical career
Like many Yoruba musicians, he sang praises of many important and famous people in society. This includes Dr. Olusola Saraki, Chief Alhaji Abdul-Azeez Arisekola Alao; Alhaji Jimoh Saro, Chief Meredith Adisa Akinloye, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, Chief Ladoke Akintola, Ariyibi Adedibu and many others.
Music and style
Music and style
Odolaye was a prominent exponent of Dadakuada music, a traditional Yoruba genre. His songs combined oriki (praise songs) and owe (proverbs and epigrams), addressing social, political, economic, and cultural issues.
Historical significance
Historical significance
Odolaye's music serves as a valuable historical resource, providing insights into Yoruba oral literature and historical events.
Themes and commentary
Themes and commentary
Odolaye's songs entertained, educated, and mobilized his audience, tackling issues like national unity and survival. He presented himself as informed about Nigeria and its problems, often commenting on contemporary events.
Legacy
As a partisan poet, Odolaye supported various political parties during Nigeria's First, Second, and aborted Third Republics. His music remains an important part of Yoruba cultural heritage, offering unique perspectives on Nigerian history and society.
Discography
• Olowe Mowe • Alakori Alakowe • Eniyan Nlanla Lo • Ilorin Lawa
Primary material
Documents and archives
reference work
- “Odolaye Aremu”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q105101586: Odolaye Aremu
General reference · Wikidata
Text attribution
Licensing
Text attribution
Part of the biographical narrative on this page reuses licensed material. Its origin, revision and licence are recorded here.
The biographical narrative on this page is based on the Wikipedia article Odolaye Aremu, revision 1345951992 (EN edition), by its contributors. VALÉORINE has edited that text and built its own documentary record around it. The reused material is available under CC BY-SA 4.0, and this page's reuse of it is offered under the same licence. Everything else on this page — the chronology, the holdings, the evidence, the plates and the connections — is VALÉORINE's own record. Sources and licences.
References
Citations
References
Each reference names the institution holding it, so a reader may go to the document itself.
reference work
Secondary witnessauthority record
General reference
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 19 August 2026.
Elsewhere in Books
39,529 published records in this field, each with its sources named.
- Odimumba KwamdelaAuthor
- Odo MarquardAuthor
- Odo of DeuilAuthor
- Odo ReuterAuthor
- Odón Betanzos PalaciosAuthor
- Odon PeterkaAuthor
- Ödön RádlAuthor
- Ödön von HorváthAuthor
Best supported in this field
For owners
Own a work by Odolaye Aremu?
A specialist will read what you send and tell you what the house can establish, what it cannot, and whether the object is suited to sale. There is no charge and no obligation. The object stays with you throughout; nothing is shipped to us unless it is arranged in writing beforehand.