Femi Esho

The family has announced the passing unto glory of Mr Samuel Babafemi Esho, popularly known and referred to as “Baba Esho”, Baba Musician, etc

As contained in a statement signed by Mr Bunmi Esho, for the family, Baba Esho departed to greater glory on Monday 17th June 2024 after a brief illness at the age of 77 years.

“Baba Esho until his demise was the Chairman of the Evergreen Musical Company as well as the Founder of the Evergreen Music Heritage Foundation.

*Mr Esho’s last birthday dance with his daughter, Bimbo. Credit: Femi Adepoju

Baba Esho was a mentor and “encyclopedia” to many ‘Highlife music aficionados.

He will be remembered as one who gave so much of himself to see to the “immortality” of the musical works of Nigerian Highlife, Juju, Sakara, Apala, Afrobeat and a crop of other Nigerian/African genre of indigenous music.

The family will announce the burial arrangements in due course.”

Born on October 29, 1946, in Ilesa, in present-day Osun State, he has attained an international stature based on his services to music, which he regards as a universal language that transcends boundaries.  A striking story, narrated by his daughter, demonstrates the value of his efforts to preserve yesteryear music.

When he visited Ghana in 2008 to seek permission rights to release the works of some old Ghanaian Highlife stars, the late Jerry Hansen of the Ramblers Dance Band, who was then 86, as The Nation reported, “could not hold back his tears as he exclaimed that it was a great shame that Femi Esho came all the way from Nigeria to present to him all his lost works.” The drama showed the importance of music collection, and underlined Esho’s significance as a music collector.

Esho once narrated how he began: “I started collecting music at the age of 12,” he told attendees at an electrifying event that celebrated “10 Music Legends of Lagos Evolution” in December 2017. The show, which took place at City People Event Centre, Gbagada, Lagos, was organised by City People Entertainment, Evergreen Musical Company and Members of Music Icons.  It was a celebration of Apala, Sakara, Juju, Highlife, Fuji, Waka, Folk, Agidigbo, Afrobeat and Were“