Star-Studded Creative Team Sets Sights on Global Audiences.
Lagos, Nigeria – White House Productions is thrilled to announce a groundbreaking partnership: the esteemed Nigerian singer and songwriter Adekunle Gold will be co-producing a documentary that will span the last century of Yoruba music. The documentary, titled ’The Odyssey’, will trace the history and evolution of different subcultures within the music, including Were, Sakara, Apala, Juju, AfroJuju, and Fuji, among many others. The documentary's stellar cast of producers, headed by Executive Producer Bobo Omotayo, is garnering attention within the music industry.
Adekunle Gold will serve as a producer alongside Tosin Ashafa, Papa Omotayo, and renowned director Abba Makama to enhance the documentary's storyline with his knowledge of the industry, network, and love of Yoruba music. This formidable group is committed to providing an exciting, genuine look at our history, culture, and where we're going from here.
‘The Odyssey’ is now under production and will take viewers on an illuminating journey through the history of Yoruba music, its cultural significance, and its impact on Afrobeats. It features some of Nigeria's most revered music historians, academics, chart-topping artists, music legends, iconic producers, record label owners, and music journalists, both past and present.
Abba Makama, Director: "Working with these producers, each with their own backgrounds and perspectives, has enlivened the creative process. We've already captured some incredibly fascinating interviews, and Adekunle Gold's involvement adds a new dynamic layer to the story."
Bobo Omotayo, Executive Producer: “Our goal from the start has been to make a documentary that gives justice to Yoruba music by showcasing its essence. Our dedication to genuine and diverse storytelling is strengthened by Adekunle Gold's addition to our team.”
Adekunle Gold, Co-Producer: "This documentary is more than simply another project; it's an opportunity to highlight the history of a sound that has shaped and will continue to shape music culture around the world. Working with the rest of the team, I can't wait to bring this story to life with authenticity, energy, and enthusiasm.”
The team invites potential partners to explore opportunities for innovative and brand collaborations. An example of this is a current collaboration with the award-winning photographer Andrew Esiebo. Andrew has become a part of the crew, capturing unique and intimate moments with the subjects in the documentary, both
in private settings and onstage. This captivating collection of images will highlight a distinctive exhibition that underscores the profound emotion and energy of these figures. The exhibition will open alongside the premiere of the documentary, offering audiences a vibrant experience that honours the essence of Yoruba music through both visual and auditory elements.
The Odyssey's release date will be announced soon.
Visit www.theodysseydoc.com to learn more and/ or follow socials @theodysseydoc.
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Note to Editors:
About Abba T. Makama:
Abba T. Makama is an award-winning filmmaker and visual artist from Nigeria. His feature film debut "Green White Green" had its 2016 world premiere at Toronto International Film Festival, since then it has screened at over twenty international film festivals including Stockholm international Film Festival, Berlin Critics Week, Carthage Film Festival. The film was distributed on Netflix worldwide and Canal Plus
His sophomore “The Lost Okoroshi” also premiered at TIFF 2019 and subsequently screened at BFI London Film Festival and The Berlin Critics Week 2020. The Lost Okoroshi was release on Netflix in 2020. Abba is a co-founding member of the Surreal 16 collective and S16 Film Festival. The S16 collective released their anthology film “Juju Stories” which won the Boccalino D'oro Award for Best Film at Locarno 2021. It was released on Amazon Prime Video in 2022. His films have been reviewed and featured in publications such as The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, The New York Times and Indiewire.
His work as visual artist is heavily inspired by film and storytelling, where he uses mixed media to explore themes like pop culture, fashion, and religion. These themes are most often explored through a parody or satirical lens. He also has a deep interest in the study of Dreams and is a Jungian Psychology enthusiast.
About Bobo Omotayo:
Bobo is a force in the promotion and preservation of Yoruba music, with a remarkable portfolio of pioneering programs and events, especially under his cultural umbrella 'FUJI: A Opera'. FUJI: A Opera is a multi-dimensional entertainment platform that deconstructs and reimagines the mysterious Fuji music genre for a new generation of music and cultural enthusiasts.
Since its inception in 2020, the platform has featured open-air concerts, street installations, music workshops, pop-up exhibitions in Lagos and London, and much more. Bobo's inventive leadership and unwavering dedication helped bring Yoruba music to generational prominence.
About Adekunle Gold:
Adekunle Gold is a Nigerian born and bred singer-songwriter who gained recognition from his very first release, "Sade" a love song released as a cover of One Direction's "Story of My Life" which led to him signing a recording contract with a Nigerian label YBNL just two weeks after its release.
Originally known for highlife and folk storytelling, the singer-songwriter infuses Afropop with Afrobeats, Fuji, Juju, R&B, and Amapiano to concoct a unique blend of sounds and tell real-life experiences and stories. He has released 5 studio albums: Gold (debuting at #7 on the Billboard World Albums Chart), About 30 (shortlisted for the GRAMMY® Best World Album), Afro Pop Vol 1 – which has amassed a staggering 680 million plus streams and spawned the global hit records "Okay" and "Something Different", “Catch Me If You Can” and “Tequila Ever After”.
Adekunle Gold’s has garnered over 1 billion career streams and collaborated with an array of top-tier talent including Pharrel, Davido, Nile Rodgers, Khalid, Ty Dolla $ign, Stefflon Don, Fatoumata Diawara, Fousheé, Davido, and Lucky Daye.
Adekunle Gold is known for his incredible live performances and showmanship. In previous years, he has toured over 80 cities across North America, Europe, United Kingdom, Australia and Africa.
In 2024, he performed his largest capacity venue in the U.K. at the renowned OVO Wembley Arena.
About ‘The Odyssey’:
‘The Odyssey’, which is now in production, promises to be a revelatory investigation of the Yoruba people's cultural legacy and musical tradition. The documentary, directed by award-winning filmmaker Abba T. Makama and produced by executive producer Bobo Omotayo, takes viewers on an immersive journey through the captivating rhythms and rich history of Yoruba music, revealing its profound influence on the global music scene and role in shaping the emergence of Afrobeats.