For more than sixteen years, Gospel Singer and proponent of Alujo gospel, Laolu Gbenjo has been traversing the Nigerian music landscape. His long list of released body of work has been a time capsule in the music space. His energetic musical performances have become highlights of gospel concerts and carnivals in Nigeria and all around the world.
Laolu Gbenjo might have released a large number of songs; however, his 2021 hit song “Oniduro” still resonates with the fans years after it was released to the public.
Right now, in the Nigerian music industry, the gospel arm has leveled up with its youth-conscious, percussion-based production, artists like Yinka Aiyefele already pioneered the Alujo-based kind of play. Laolu Gbenjo has smartly taken things to another perspective with his copious use of backup singers, drums, and synth. It’s a whole lot of work.
On the pristine “Oniduro,” Laolu Gbenjo gives all the praise and worship to the most high. Oniduro is a Yoruba word that means a helper or supporter.
A pedal guitar starts the song, followed by Laolu’s sultry vocals of “Oniduro mi eshey oh,” and a Hypemen with some slang. In the first verse, Laolu keeps on thanking God while at the same time reflecting on the journey so far. The place of God in his life couldn’t not have been forsaken. His thoughtfulness and appreciative gestures are commendable.
The next part of the song features neat guitar picks and some strings, with the temp drums still delivering magic; the drum formed the engine room of this song. Laolu Gbenjo smartly keeps the praise singing minimal in this song. It is just a combination of praises with various percussion.
On Laolu Gbenjo’s “Oniduro” track, many things combine to form a beautiful song, from the poetic wording of the song to the cerebral backup singer and the masterly produced beat and more. The song finds the singer attempting to showcase another side of his art to the public. Yinka Aiyefele might have started Alujo Gospel, but on his part, Laolu Gbenjo takes it to another level; he inculcates youthful elements into his music, and in a way, he broadens the song into a new demographic.
Right now, “Oniduro,” is ranked as one of the finest gospel songs to have come out of Nigeria in the 2020s. No wonder Laolu Gbenjo continues to be the most sought-after Alujo gospel in Nigeria.
