Robo Special Songwriting celebrates the Urhobo people

By Patrick Ezema

Music has an identity. For songwriters, a tribe’s identity may serve as inspiration for a song. This is what Uririnoghene Obiuwevbi, professionally known as Robo Special, who co-wrote “Oshekure” with Tudac, did on the single released on September 20, 2024. Urhobo culture was displayed proudly in the writing as it celebrates the people of the land, who are flag bearers of its traditions wherever they live in the world. Robo Special shows a strong understanding of heritage in her songwriting, and it is a distinct trait that shines through in the song.

This cannot be by accident, as she has worked with many artists to create songs that listeners can enjoy and identify with. Her writing invites conversation and curiosity for people who are not conversant with the energy of the Urhobo people and the cheerful spirit that defines them. The lyrics are meant to introduce the Urhobo sound to those who are unfamiliar with it and make it one of the songs to be listened to.

The opening lyrics of the song begin with the Urhobo dialect, “O she kure/ Ọ ghwẹgba re/ We ri n’ ughe ooo/ Emọ Urhobo rhire ooo.” This appears to be a call to celebrate the arrival of the Urhobo people. The lyrics then go further, “I feel the power/ This is my time and this is my hour/ Now my sweat don turn their shower/ It’s not by might/ Not by power.” Here, Robo Special used the lines to affirm that the hour of success is now and not later, and that it does not happen as a result of any human power.

Robo Special and her co-writer went on with the lyrics, “Urhobo this ohhh/ Urhobo disco/ No go try to call police ohhh/ Leave am ohhh/ This one na gbedu”. This writing shows an intent to make listeners aware that this is not just any song; it is an Urhobo disco. By using the Yoruba slang “gbedu”, they want people from other cultures to know that this is good music. The use of Pidgin English with Urhobo phrases is a conscious way the writers attempt to make the song relatable to different kinds of listeners, those who are from Urhobo and those who are from the other tribes in Nigeria.

Moving on, the writers make note of the hard-working nature of the Urhobo boys in their songwriting: “Akpọ na we n’ ughe/ See/ Urhobo boys display/ Work hard/ Dem say e no de pay/ Now we turn night to become holiday.” The writing shows that while some believe that being hard-working does not pay, they are made to see the result through the success displayed by the Urhobo boys. This reveals that while the boys grind hard, they also party hard.

The drum pads sit well with the melodies, allowing the lyrics to be heard loud and clear. Log drums were evident, showing the song’s influence from Amapiano elements. Some traditional Urhobo instrumentals were also added, giving the tune an Urhobo feel. For listeners, the track is danceable and one that will be hard to forget.

‘Oshekure’, written by Robo Special for Tudac, is a song that proudly celebrates the Urhobo people and their culture. Through its lyrics, the song shares a message of pride, hard work, and success. The use of the Urhobo language and pidgin English helps the song connect well with different listeners, making it both enjoyable and easy to relate to. “Oshekure” is a lively track that many people will enjoy.