Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

ISHOLA, Haruna

(b '18, Abadan, Nigeria; d '83) Singer-composer and studio owner who helped popularise the Apala style and dominated it for decades. Neo-traditional Apala began among Muslin Yoruba; characterised by Iyalu talking drums accompanying one or more vocalists, it emerged as a distinct form around '25, usually performed by amateurs during period of fasting; professionals enlarged the instrumental base with drums of DunDun family and the agidigbo (a large hand piano); by '40s it had lost religious aspect and become a music of entertainment. By the '50s Haruna Ashola and his Apala Group had emerged as leading exponents, releasing countless singles and 26 LPs on Decca's West Africa label. Success led to opening his own 24-track studio at IjebuIgbo, near Abadan; on his death many top Nigerian musicians recorded songs in his memory. Three of his last albums were widely found outside Nigeria: Egbe Oredegbe, Oluma Nikan Lobe and Onise Nsise. Another major Apala star of '60s-70s was Alhaji Ayinla Omowura; equally prolific were Kasumu Adio and Fatayi Ayilara.