Oritse Femi

About Oritse Femi

Oritse Femi is one of the legendary artists Nigeria has. He was born on January 5, 1985, and he is the third born to his mother – his father was polygamous and has a total of 25 children. He traces his roots to Delta State and belongs to Itsekiri tribe. He attended different primary schools but ended up completing his primary studies at Army Children School before proceeding to Randle Secondary School.

He loved books and he was drawn by the glamour of being a voice for the voiceless which is why he studied hard to get admission to the university to study law. Luckily, Delta State University admitted him for a law degree but he was at crossroads having listened to Fela Kuti’s songs for many years. He eventually dropped out of school to concentrate on his music career.

Oritse Femi attributes his interest in music to Sizzla Kalonji and Daddy Showkey besides the legendary Fela Kuti. They shaped his artistic mindset and spurred a fire in him to be like them. He honed his musical skills while in school, performing at parties and social events. He was a member of the Ajegunle Cherubim and Seraphim choirs. It was then that he met Johnny Napp, a promoter who brought Jamaican artists to Nigeria to help develop local talent at his music school. The ‘Breakfast’ hitmaker took lessons in this music school which he says was instrumental in shaping his career as an artist.

Napp moulded the likes of Baba Fryo and Daddy Fresh. The 37-year-old was intrigued by reggae fusion back in the day. He tested the waters by collaborating with Chibudo – the other member of the Junglist Boys - on their first album ‘Boys Dey Binu’ and did a second album ‘Money Na Time’. He was still finding his sound in 2006 and enjoyed working with the Junglist Boys. However, he ventured out as a solo artist as an Afro-hip hop singer in late 2006 after a fallout with Chibudo. Both launched solo careers but Oritse Femi seemed the lucky one.

He released an all-time favourite hit ‘Flog Politician’ just before Nigeria’s 2007 General Elections. It catapulted him to fame as the general population agreed with him that Nigeria’s political class was corrupt and change was inevitable. He followed this hit with his first solo album ‘Elewon’ (meaning chase them). It was directed at greedy politicians. His second solo album, ‘Wicked World’, was about the world's depravity. The hit song from the album "Mercy of the Lord" was inspired by his personal experiences and how his mother's prayers saved him by awakening the spirit of God in him. He recalls struggling with sadness after leaving his godly upbringing and venturing into Afro-hip hop.

Oritse Femi launched his label before 2010 and did another album ‘Money Stops Nonsense’ in honour of the label called Money Stops Nonsense. In 2015, he took Nigeria by surprise with Fela Kuti’s ‘Double Wahala’ remake. He said in an interview that the song was inspired by the plight of ordinary Nigerians including a flooding experience that remains etched in history.

Oritse Femi Popular Songs
1. Double Wahala
2. Body & Soul
3. Redi Dance
4. Money na Time
5. Boys dey Binu
6. Flog Politician
7. Mercies of the Lord
8. Sexy Ladies
9. Eyo
10. Happy Day
11. Baby Boo
12. M Olo Noni
13. Make Am
14. Sanumi
15. Breakfast
16. Awoo Ewa
17. Debe Confirm
18. Born to Win

Oritse Femi Albums & EPs
• Wicked World
• Money Na Time
• Corporate Miscreant
• Boys Dey Binu
• Elewon
• Musical Taliban
• L.I.F.E
• Double Wahala
• Unfadeables
• The Urban Pulse
• Urban heartbeat

Oritse Femi songs and albums are online on Mdundo.com and are available for download in MP3.