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Since hitting the limelight with his breakout song ‘Welu Welu’ from his debut album Unconditional Love in 2000, the voice of Sammie Okposo never failed to stand out among his peers. A powerful baritone with a satisfyingly pulsating pitch — rallying, bopping, deep and divine. And for more than two decades he was at the top of his game, staying relevant in the African gospel music space till his last breath.
Okposo, who died on Friday, November 25, 2022, didn’t just earn his place as an internationally recognised, award-winning vocal coach, multi-instrumentalist, music producer, choir director and gospel singer, it was a product of sheer talent, hard work, and consistency.
According to the official statement released by Hector Okposo, on behalf of the family, on November 25, 2022, the Okposo’s are consoled because Sammie is happily singing with the angels in heaven.
“Sammie slept and went to be with the Lord on the morning of Friday, November 25, 2022. We are consoled because we know he is with Jesus Christ singing with the angels,” the statement read,
Winning multiple awards in and out of Nigeria, Okposo was a Glo Ambassador for up to 10 years, CEO of Zamar Entertainment and SOHI (Sammie Okposo Hope Initiative), a Non-Profit Organization to promote social change, and a United Nations Peace Ambassador till his passing.
Born in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria, on May 30, 1971, his father was Isoko, from Uzere, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, while his mother was from Cross River state.
Okposo’s musical journey began as early as the age of ten when he started playing the piano as a chorister in his local church choir in Warri, Delta State.
Reverend father Ekpenyong Okon Bassey, the founder of Karis Music Ministry and a long time mentor to Okposo, who had come in contact with the gospel singer through music as far back as 1991, recounted how promising he was as a young boy.
“I met Okposo in 1991. I went to Warri for a wedding and from there, I needed a good keyboardist. Someone then introduced me to Okposo whom I arranged to come with me to Lagos because he was a fantastic singer and instrumentalist.
“Okposo can be likened to a full-grown eagle that came down to perch in a small nest of birds when he joined us. We were already flying, but Okposo exceeded me”, Rev. Ekpeyong told me at Okposo’s Nights of Tributes held Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at La Madison Place, Oniru, Lagos.
Okposo’s professional music career began a year later, in 1992, when he became a movie soundtrack composer, making tracks for some of the most critically acclaimed Nollywood movies, including Escape from Congo, Onome and Narrow Escape starring Saint Obi. While making his soundtracks, he was never shy to infuse his sanctimonious grounding and elements of didacticism into his songs even as he told his stories through sound. With such talent, it was obvious that he had a gift and his true success needed only to be watered to life.
Pastor Paul Adefarasin, the founder and Senior Pastor of House on the Rock Church, became instrumental in Okposo’s successful adventure in Lagos. Due to their father-son relationship and Okposo’s obvious musical prowess and gospel inclination, the boy from Warri became the choir director for Chosen Treasure, the official choir at House on the Rock.
Speaking at the 2022 Experience, Pastor Paul Adefarasin recalled how much work Okposo put into his craft. He said: “I’d like you to stand on your feet for one minute as we observe a moment of silence for a legend in gospel music who passed away about a week ago. I speak of a man who graced this platform many times over the last 17 years and has entered the golden and pearly gates of glory. None other than minister Sammie Okposo now of blessed memory.”
In the year 2000, Okposo, together with his band ‘D X. Generation, released his debut album Unconditional Love and he took the gospel music scene by storm as the song ‘Welu Welu’ gained widespread popularity and dominated the airwaves. ‘Welu Welu’, a combination of traditional Isoko music style and language, Pidgin English and a foreign gospel vibe, featured storytelling and bible verses which are well highlighted by the chorus “Wellu Wellu”. The song was a break from the norm, a sign that gospel music could be much more urban and perhaps less hymnal.
The year 2004 saw the award-winning singer release another album Addicted, and receive an invitation from the Nigerian ambassador to America to perform at the Martin Luther King Day and July 4th Independence day Celebration. He followed up with other relevant works including No More Drama and The Statement which he co-produced with ten-time Grammy Awards winner Kevin Bond. His collaborations ensured he became a sensation on the international stage as he went on to perform beyond the shores of Africa, in Europe and North America, sharing the stage with Yolanda Adams, Deitrick Haddon, Ron Kenoly, Cece Winans, Nicole Mullen, Maxi Priest, Shaggy, Missy Elliot, and many more.
Osamoje ‘Osam’ Isaac, the programme director at Naija 102.7 FM, told me at Okposo’s Nights of Tributes that the gospel singer’s consistency and talent stood him out.
“I met Okposo about 30 years ago. He is a unique individual, very talented; a genius. Anytime I watch him perform, I expect the best and he never fails. The most fascinating thing about him is his consistency. Okposo is an engine of music.”
Okposo’s personality has been described as affable, funny yet firm. His wife, Ozioma Okposo, whom he met at Kingsway International Christian Center in London while she was queuing up to have him autograph a copy of his CD, described him as someone who “made those around him feel comfortable, at ease, safe and loved.”
“He relayed to people at all levels and would relentlessly go to the extra mile to ensure that success was attainable”, Ozioma wrote in her tribute contained in the funeral brochure shared at Okposo’s Nights of Tributes.
Okposo got married to his wife, Ozioma Okposo, in July, 2010.
His daughter, Alula Okposo, described him to me as “sweet” at his Nights of Tributes. “My fondest memory of my father would be of him always being so firm but still sweet at the same time. He could be screaming at me and telling me he loves me at the same time. He influenced me in every single aspect: my vocal ability, my music ears and fashion”.
Comic actor Charles Inojie said Okposo is an affable soul who makes everyone feel like they live next door.
“Every time you see Okposo, he creates a convivial ambience that makes you think you live next door. He’s a man with an ebullient heart who is always happy. However, no matter how jovial the situation might be, Okposo would find a way to drop a very strong word for those that are spiritually sensitive.
He very easily could have been one of Nigeria’s comedians if he chose to. If he chose to act, he would have made a fantastic actor too”, Inojie told me at Okposo’s Nights of Tributes.
Like many other celebrities, Okposo was not without scandals. He was linked to several ladies in the entertainment industry before he finally married his wife Ozioma Okposo in July 2010. He was linked to Gloria Ibru, Janet Fateye, Stella Damasus and Kate Henshaw, with reports claiming that he and the latter fell out due to domestic abuse.
Okposo blamed the affairs on his naivety adding that the fame got him distracted.
On January 24, 2022, Sammie Okposo informed the public that he would take a break from his ministry and offered a public apology to his wife, Ozioma Okposo, after being called out by an American-based lady known as African Doll for impregnating her and abandoning her.
“On my recent trip to the USA (Late 2021), I got intimately involved with a lady, knowing that this was not appropriate as a married man and a minister of the Gospel. I am ashamed and regret my actions as it has caused a lot of pain to my dear wife, Ozioma, my family and I,” Sammie Okposo said in an official statement released on his Instagram page.
“As I work in making peace with God, repenting and asking for His forgiveness, I am suspending myself from all ministry work until full restoration as this is what is proper and what I know I owe God and His people.”
However, that was just a dint in a glittering career as Okposo continued his music run and his SOPP (Sammie Okposo Praise Party). In fact, the news of the singer’s death came 19 hours after he posted a throwback video of his SOPP held in Lagos on November 4, 2022.
Okposo used his music for social change with songs like ‘Naija Dey Bam’ and to promote peaceful co-existence. No wonder he was awarded Youth Ambassador for World Peace by the United Nations. Sammie Okposo revolutionised gospel music by charting a path for those who came after him and showing that music could well capture the gospel even with experimentations that disrupt the status quo.
Gospel musician Eben says “He’s that kind of guy that will go all out for anybody. He was a people person who was very creative and talented. When I had my concert and I didn’t call him, he called me and was like ‘Eben, you dey do concert and you no call me?’ Then, he came with his whole team just to support me till the end of the event. Sometimes when people support you, they just do their bit and leave but Okposo stays till the end.”
The man who now sings with angels won the Song of the Year award in 2018 for ‘A Marvellous Thing’ at the African Gospel Music and Media Awards, Artiste of the Year in 2019 at Niger Delta Awards and International Artiste of the Year at Soar Awards, Illinois USA in 2022.
Sammie Okposo, who is survived by his wife Ozioma Okposo and children, was buried at a private cemetery in Ikoyi on Thursday, December 15, 2022.
You can relive moments from Okposo’s Night of Tributes here.
The post Sammie Okposo: From Movie Soundtrack Producer To Ruling The Gospel Music World For Over Three Decades appeared first on Nigerian Entertainment Today.
Source: TheNet
