Alhaji Muhammad Àmínù Kúrángà, who was popularly known as Jáígbadé Àlàó, was a prolific musician, erudite composer, meticulous hunter, tireless farmer and outstanding community leader.
This illustrious artiste hailed from Bàbá Òyó Compound in the Òkè -Anífowóse segment of the popular Pàkátà area of Ilorin. His father was Mallam Kuranga, who was a farmer, while his mother was Madam Salamatu. His maternal home was Maleke Compound, Jagun Quarters, Okelele area, Ilorin, which is also the ancestral home of the popular Islamic preacher, Imam AbdulRazaq Aduagba.
Jaigbade was among the many statesmen of Ilorin origin and of his age, who did not have the privilege of western education. His experience as a young boy was even more peculiar. He was not privileged to receive Quranic learning in the course of his childhood unlike most of his contemporaries.
Although his birth was not documented, he was born in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
Last year, he had surprised everybody with the announcement of his retirement from music when he visited the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji(Dr.) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, to intimate him of his intention.
His death is being mourned by the entire nation. He will be remembered as the legend of Ilorin entertainment.
AS a talented youngman, who had always shown potential for music compositions, Jaigbade joined the band of the only professional master he had, Akano Oloru, where he honed his musical skills.
Jaigbade completed his musical apprenticeship about eight decades ago. It was thereafter that he set up his Dadakuada Music Group, which he successfully managed and led until year 2022, when he retired from music performance.
Through his efforts and those of his contemporaries in the field such as Alhaji Isiaka Agbeyangi, the brand of their music has come to be identified as the most enduring form of the traditional music associated with the people of Ilorin.
Apart from the high quality of the distinguished musicians, who trained under him such as Alhaji Omo-Kekere Amao of Okelele, Alhaji Iyanda Ena of Oke-Aluko, Alhaji Raheem Abiowa from Abayawo and Baba Eyin Oke of Akodudu, the leadership of Alhaji Jaigbade in Ilorin traditional music was incontrovertibly settled with his turbanning as the Oba Olorin (Head of Musicians) of Ilorin by the ninth Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji (Dr.) Sulu Gambari. The announcement was made in 1990 and he was turbaned in 1991 at a very colourful ceremony, which was graced by his admirers and colleagues including the famous Ogbomoso-born Ijala singer, Ogundare Foyanmu, who entertained guests at Jaigbade’s home after the turbanning.
This distinguished son of Ilorin Emirate had no fewer than 47 musical albums to his credit. He also featured in innumerable open-air performances.
JAIGBADE’S professional success could also be appreciated in the fact that he was the only musician of his genre who not only played all over Nigeria, but also had the privilege of taking his brand beyond the shores of the country.
He took his music to the United States of America in 2008. His band also went on musical tour of Brazil in 2011.
Both tours were arranged by the award-winning Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Prof. AbdulRasheed Na’Allah, who also served as the pioneer Chief Executive of the Kwara State University, Malete, between 2009 and 2019.
The dadakuada crooner was among the statesmen the state government honoured in the maiden edition of its lifetime achievement awards dedicated to different personalities who served or contributed to the development of the state or the country at various levels/sectors.
What is dadakuada in Yoruba?
Dadakuada is a type of Yoruba performance art form, which originated from and is popular among the people of Kwara.
Of the secular music, dadakuada appeared to be the most enduring and popular genre among the real indigenous people of Ilorin Emirate. Its popularity is rooted in the efforts of some of compatriots who were performing artistes that dedicated their times and energies to its performance over the years.
It has some musical genres that are peculiar to it. These genres include, Wákà, Bàálù, Senwele, Pankèkè and Dadakúàdá.
They are played and enjoyed by the people of Ilorin Emirate and have been embraced by their neighbours in Yoruba lands. Once you hear the music, you are sure that you are in the midst of the people of the southernmost Emirate.
One of his children, Alhaji Abdulrasaki Jaigbade, said that he did not show any sign of sickness before his death.
He said, “Baba died this morning without showing any sign of sickness. When he woke up early in the morning, he complained of a slight headache, and before we decided to take him to the hospital, he had given up the ghost.”
Abdulrasaki said four wives and 34 children survived the late Jaigbade.
Jaigbade, in 1939, started his genre of Dadakuada music, which traditionally originated from Kwara.
The music maestro was honoured with an honorary doctorate degree in Arts and Culture in 2017 by the Kwara State University and was also recognised by the Kwara State Government as one of the most distinguished personalities in the state in December 2022.
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has commiserated with the family of the late music legend, praying to Allah to grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus (paradise) and comfort the family.
A condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, read, “On behalf of the government and people of Kwara State, I send our condolences to the family of Alhaji Jaigbade Alao and all lovers of his inimitable Dadakuada music worldwide. Alhaji Jaigbade was a legend whose mastery of his genre of music projected the state positively.”
“He was also a community leader in his own right. His death has created a void in the chain of great mentors for younger ones who took to his genre of dadakuada music.
“The dadakuada crooner was among the statesmen that the Kwara State Government honoured in the maiden edition of its lifetime achievement awards dedicated to different personalities who served or contributed to the development of the state or the country at various levels/sectors.”
Also, in his reaction, Kwara State University’s acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Shaykh-Luqman Jimoh, said the university community received the news of Jaigbade passing with sorrow.
He said the legendary musician was an exemplary bard, who used his art to entertain and promote historical and political awareness.
“Alhaji Jaiyegbade Alao had given live performances in the university and received KWASU’s award of an honorary doctorate in recognition of his contributions to music and the development of society through his songs,” Jimoh was quoted as saying in a statement by the varsity’s Director of University Relations, Saeedat Aliyu.
Vice-Chancellor of University of Abuja, Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, has also commiserated with the family of the late Dadakuada music maestro, Alhaji Jaigbade Alao, who died in the early hours of Monday at the age of 121.
This is contained in a condolence message by the university’s Head of Information and University Relations, Dr Habib Yakoob, on behalf of the Governing Council, Senate, staff members and students of the institution.
The vice-chancellor commiserated with Kwara State government, Gov. Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq and the Emir of Ilorin, Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, Maimartaba Sarkin Ilori, friends, fans and lovers of the deceased across the world.
Na’Allah, who said he had researched extensively into Jaigbade’s music as resource for African Oral Literature and Performance, said he was sad to hear about the death of the veteran musician.
He described the late music maestro as an exceptionally brilliant and warm-hearted person, who believed in using music to create critical changes in the society.
“He took his traditional performances around the world, including USA and Brazil, where I had opportunity to see first-hand how he made a huge impression of his exceptional creative talents before the global community.
“He was a role model to many and used his music to advance the philosophy of love, good neighbourliness, excellent creativity, hard work, patriotism, fear of God, commitment to humanity, love of culture and many more.
“I am honoured to have researched his work and had many hours of close personal encounters with this legend of Ilorin art, history and culture. He was turbaned as the King of Singers (Oba Olorin) by the ninth Emir of Ilorin, Muhammad Zulkarnaini Ayelabowo Gambari,” he said.
The vice-chancellor called on President Muhammadu Buhari to immortlise the musician for his great contributions to the musical world.
