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Tatalo Alamu Baba Ni Ibadan

 





by Ayoade Davidson Ojeniyi FCA 


He was a big time Ayan and a singer called Dundun and Aro and Sekere singers genri. Talking Drum !!! He was the owners of the band and highly talented bc he could sing and he could handle the big Iya Ilu Dundun. Omo Aje(later called Babalaje), advised him to look for a vocalist while he, the band leader would concentrate on drumming. Thus he hired Amuda Agboluaje. When the money started pouring in, they separated. My man popularly called Tatalo Alamu (real name Atinsola Lamidi Alamu Ajalaruru) stood on his own and started singing and hired a lead drummer. Being talented with a good voice, he became an instant hit. Amuda Agboluaje also hired a lead drummer and became big. But Tatalo was far far bigger.


How Tatalo normally knew all those songs and names in memory was a mystery till he died. Nothing would be written down. Please listen to his album IGBA IRAWO see the numbers of the names he chanted. Another popular album is ORO IBADAN. Another one is AFIDIKALE NI.


Babalaje, who later became Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji Aje Oguguluso made Tatalo extremely rich. Tatalo was a power dresser with a lot of women and concubines swarming around him. He loved gold neck chain die. He had so many cars especially the reigning Peugeot Cars and many Civilian Long Buses. Uncountable buildings in choice areas of Ibadan.


He praised himself for turning Dundun and Sekere into a gold mine: Atinsola se rere e ma bu mo, onidundun nra moto, won rale won nkole, tee ba mo oore, e ma bu mo !!! He felt Agboluaje was an ingrate for dragging the Band leadership with him bc he was the one that hired him. After the separation, they abused each other till they died. But Tatalo was richer and more popular. While Agboluaje had one Civilian bus, Tatalo had 6, tear rubber.


His rivals became jealous of him and deposited a dead body behind his house. He was detained for many years before he was acquitted and discharged, by that time he had sold several of his houses to pursue the case. But after his release, he shunned out several hit albums. He made a lot of money from live plays. Alaafin loved him. Oloye Olusola Saraki spent a lot for him. He toured West African countries. He also came to Eruwa my town many times, brought by my uncle Alhaji Amuda Elepo Adedeji. 


After his death, just like Ayinla Omowura Eegumagaji Oosa, the genre died with him. Nobody could copy him. It was easy to copy Amuda Agboluaje and O Jere My Dear.


Tatalo Alamu dominated Ibadan during his time. He was treated like a King. He was a power dresser.


Omo Aje later promoted Dauda Epo Akara, Sule Alao Malaika,  K1 etc. K1 became Omo Aje/ Babalaje biggest artist. K1 now has his own label. 


Omo Rapala Abass Akande Obesere is the son of Tatalo Alamu's brother. Technically in Yorubaland, Obesere is his son.


There was a country.


Continue to rest in peace Tatalo Alamu.


The popular Columnist with The Nation is using the name now.

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