London based composer and singer - Juwon Ogungbe has released a new single, called Orishirishi.
Translated from Yoruba (and Nigerian Pidgin English), Orishirishi means ‘all sorts.’
Drawing from his eclectic range of musical influences, Juwon Ogungbe has created a carnivalesque song, evocative of al fresco festivities. Orishirishi takes listeners into a vivid and colourful world, filled with street performers in a market environment.
Juwon Ogungbe's Orishirishi
Juwon Ogungbe's Orishirishi
Ogungbe says ‘I remember meeting friends and acquaintances for the first time as a young adult, in an atmosphere filled with edginess and uncertainty. Skinheads with right wing political leanings were in vogue and those of us who didn’t fit into their idea of an ideal world often had to tread gingerly around some parts of London. On the other hand, there were safe havens such as Dalston and the Ridley Road Market where folks of all backgrounds could mingle easily. Orishirishi tells a tale about moving from a menacing space to a comforting place.’
Orishirishi is now available on Juwon Ogungbe’s Bandcamp at https://juwonogungbe.bandcamp.com.
The song comes from a soon to be released EP entitled Embers of de Empire.
Juwon Ogungbe performs on Saturday 20th of July 2024 at The Africa Centre as part of a series of events marking the 90th birthday of Wole Soyinka – Nigeria’s leading man of letters.