- Source: OJB Jezreel
Babatunde Okungbowa (4 July 1966 – 14 June 2016), popularly known by his stage name OJB Jezreel or OJB, was a Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer. He died on June 14, 2016, of kidney disease.
Early life
Babatunde Okungbowa a.k.a. OJB Jezreel was born on July 4, 1966, in Lagos to Chief Anthony Okungbowa and Isabella Abiodun Okungbowa (nee Pinheiro) in a matrimony that produced 5 others. He was the last child of his mother.
He attended Yewande Memorial Primary School and Mainland Preparatory Elementary School between 1972–1977.
He graduated from Federal Government College, Ijanikin in 1986 where he organized a music concert while he was a student of the school.
OJB furthered his education at Lagos College of Education and Liter-way College, Holland, Year 1987-1990. However, in true pursuit of his passion and a real career, he decided to follow his path in life as an artiste/music producer.
For the prolific producer, music started back in 1986. The artiste started making beats in back room studios, first in his Surulere neighbourhood and later in other parts of the city.
His first son Ayokunle Okungbowa is the rising gospel artist also known as Ayo Jezreel.
Career
OJB Jezreel was a seasoned producer and a great musician. Over the years, he has produced some of the greatest hit albums and singles in the history of R&B hip-hop and afrobeat music in the entertainment scene in Africa.
He worked with 2face Idibia who is one of the greatest African artists ever. OJB Jezreel single handedly produced 'Face 2 Face', the album that contained tracks like African Queen that took 2face Idibia to another level.
He has worked with Beenie Man, a Jamaican American-based musician.
He produced for artistes like RuggedMan re-establishing rap music to gain its ground in Nigeria. He also produced Jazzman Olofin, Weird MC, Paul Ik Dairo, Daddy Showkey, Sir Shina Peters, Olu Maintain.
OJB also produced albums and songs for Kcee, Faze, Iyanya, D'banj, Durella, Wizkid, Yemi Alade etc. to mention a few.
He made so much impact in the music industry thereby making Nigeria the cradle of entertainment in Africa also emerging a spotlight in Africa, he remains the greatest producer ever to emerge from the continent Africa.
As a musician he is one of the greatest vocalists and by virtue of years of experience as a producer he has been able to impact his gathered knowledge into his style of music thereby making him Mr. versatile in his last album ‘No Drama’ with great hit songs like ‘Searching’ and ‘Pretete’ which created so much impact that it sold close to one million copies in less than 4 weeks without the push and promotion of a record label. If you call OJB Mr. versatile, he is.
Discography
= Singles
="Pretete"
"Searching"
"Beautiful as You Are"
"Soldier"
"Pon Pon"
"Shitta Anthem"
"Gbemileke"
"Keys to My Heart"
"Oleku"
"Follow Me" ft. Goody Goody
"I Believe"
"I Don Tire"
"Missing You"
"No More"
"Malaika"
"Dallu"
"Wan Yoh Ma"
"Get There"
"What It Gonna Be"
= Production
=Albums
Face 2 Face - 2face Idibia
Personal life
OJB was married to three wives, Mabel, June & Korede with eight children between them.
The respected music producer and singer battled with Kidney problems since 2013. He was consequently flown to India for a transplant in 2013. With his kidney experience, he decided to set up a Foundation, ‘OJB Foundation’ to help people with kidney problems in appreciation to God for saving his life.
However, his kidney transplant failed again a week before his demise and OJB passed on. He is survived by his wife Mabel and her 3 children, June and her 3 Children Denzel, Emmanuel & Zion, and Korede and her 2 children Damilare & Ifebiyi.
OJB was buried on 8 July 2016.
Awards
Best Producer At Faith Award 2000
Best Duo Group At Faith Award 2000
Best Song At Faith Award 2000
Best Pop At Faith Award 2000
My Mic My Sway ( Recognition award for his Inspiration & Contribution to African Youth)
NEA Honours (Nigerian Entertainment Awards) In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the Nigeria Entertainment Industry.
Outstanding Achievers Award From Y’S Dom Of Black Kulture Inc.
Best Music Producer, Nigeria Music Award Owerri
Dynamic Global Concepts Award
Filmography
Anjola 2015