The Omo Baba Experience was the perfect case of conservative under promising, but charismatic over delivering.
‘Omo Baba’ is more than the literal translation of a child with traceable fatherly origin.
It is a catchphrase that circulated for most of last year.
It is a terminology that rocked the Gospel music space and with the aid of tik-tok and other micro platforms, it seeped into the consciousness of mainstream.
This is the same way the refix of Fisk Jubilee Singers 1901 ‘wade in the water’ by London band The Spirituals garnered this much appeal to corners other than the four walls of church.
‘Omo Baba’ is a 2022 song released by the group SOP (Spirit of Prophecy). They are the youth choir of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. Living Seed Chapel, Omole.
A church that has historically been a pivot for different expressions of creativity especially music, owing to their gigantic system of organisation.
And whilst it’s easy to dismiss their expressions as unrefined or even razz for a space seemingly conservative as RCCG, their process is the beam that balances the identity of their collective artistry.
The 30th of June 2023, was the date for their debut headlined show. An ambitious Shell Hall of the Muson Centre was the venue. Judging by the turn out, it would be abysmal to use such a (now) small space next time.
There was valid scepticism around the set list. Whilst it could boast of fairly popular names prevalent at gospel events (in the context of a younger demographic) it seemed to lack that ultimate ‘star power’ especially for the core fan base of the group.
It was a fairly priced ticketed event, so that made the impressive turnout even more speculative. But stepping into that jam packed hall on Friday night, none of these initial reservations mattered.
The Omo Baba experience boasted of musical performances from the likes of Gaise Baba, Emma Oh Ma God, Ife Play, Mike Abdul, Gloria, Beejay Sax, comic relief from in house Moromoluwatiketike and Damola Comedian, prophetic ministration from Pastor Daniel Olawande and Pastor Leke Adeboye capped of with music policy from DJ Horphuray.
The richness of this experience came not form the invited guests as memorable as their performances were. Rather, it came from the hosts.
In two stints of performances, spanning over 80 minutes, This choir of slightly over 20 members in coordinated outfits (on stage) would express musical ingenuity, obvious from several months of rigorous rehearsals.
Spirit of Prophecy have indelibly proven to us that they are rich in influences and would not be boxed in.
From the vantage point of a deft music listener, it was possible to appreciate Hip-Hop/ trap and any other modern similitudes.
For broader inclusion purposes, SOP deployed traditional Folklore influences in their performances. All of these and much was balanced with protracted energy level.
Every good thing comes to an end, but we would rather savour all that SOP is offering, and hope that it never comes to an abrupt end.
The Omo Baba Experience was by far one of the most dynamic events that has happened in the Church this year.
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