Wasiu haruna ishola
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Haruna Ishola Bello was a native of Ijebu-Igbo in the present day Ogun state of south west geo-political zone (born 1919) was a Nigerian musician, and one of the most popular artist in the apala genre. A music for the elites of those days.
In the decades leading up to Nigerian independence in 1960, apala music developed when amateur musicians would play to arouse the faithful after the long fast of Ramadan. Born in the town of Ijebu-igbo, Haruna Ishola began recording apala numbers in about 1955, and soon became the most popular artist in the genre, and one of the most respected praise singers in Nigeria. Ishola adapted and stuck to a strong traditionalist approach, citing both Yoruba proverbs and Koranic scripture in his songs, and introducing no Western instruments into his musical lineup. Haruna travled all over the world playing this apala music, he was even decorated with an award by the Queen of England.
Ishola would sit when performing, surrounded by two talking drummers, shaker and bell, and a chorus of singers. Also central to his sound was the agidigbo, a hollow lamell
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Participations
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Haruna Ishola
Haruna Ishola; one of the most popular artistes of the Apala genre of music in his day was born in 1919 in Ijebu-Igbo. Haruna Ishola started music early, and moved with time and trend, following whichever way the wind of music blew. He released his debut album in 1948 titled, Orimolusi Adeboye: The Oba of Ijebu-Igbo. The Apala music started as a result of evolution in the music played to rouse the faithful after Ramadan, and developed themselves each time they played, till they created the Apala, and Haruna Ishola joined in the early 50’s. In 1955, he had begun playing the Apala as well, but became exceptionally good at what he did, soon he became famous for his unique way of praise singing. His traditionalist approach of citing Yoruba proverbs as well as koranic scriptures carved a spectacular niche for him.
Ishola never introduced western instruments to his musical line-up, he would sit when performing surrounded by two Gangan (talking drum), Agogo (bells) shakers, akuba (conga-like drums) a chorus of singers, agidigbo (Lamellaphone, thumb piano). Ishola
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