Adekunbee's 'Marikotikoko' Fills Void in Nigerian Music with Children's Lullaby
In a music landscape dominated by adult themes, club anthems, and algorithm-driven playlists, Nigerian artist Adekunbee has carved out a unique niche with her latest release, 'Marikotikoko'. This wholesome soundtrack is specifically crafted for children, addressing a significant gap in the industry where recorded lullabies and kids' music are notably scarce.
The Current Music Scene and the Need for Children's Content
Our contemporary music environment is saturated with tracks catering to adult desires, the pulsating beats of nightlife, and the data-driven curation of streaming platforms. Upon closer inspection, there is a glaring absence of music intentionally designed for young audiences. While lullabies exist within oral traditions, passed down through generations in homes and playgrounds, they rarely find their way into professional recording studios.
The 2022 'African Lullabies' project by Platoon and Apple Music, featuring artists like Asa, Simi, and Ayra Starr, highlighted this very deficiency, acknowledging that such music is scarcely available in recorded formats. It is from this context of neglect and necessity that Adekunbee, born Adekunbi Rekiat Kosoko, emerges as a pioneering voice.
Adekunbee's Background and Artistic Mission
Adekunbee is a multifaceted artist: a chanter, ewi practitioner, folklore singer, and descendant of the royal Kosoko family of Lagos Island. Previously a member of her brother Adekunle Gold's 79th Element band, she has now dedicated herself to what she perceives as a critical and distinctive endeavor—creating music for Nigerian children. Her decision positions her as a trailblazer in an industry that often overlooks younger listeners.
Musical Composition and Emotional Depth of 'Marikotikoko'
'Marikotikoko' opens with a warm and inviting production, featuring drumsets, keyboard, guitar, saxophone, and the gangan (talking drum). Adekunbee's voice rises in repetitive nursery rhymes, quickly transitioning into a chant mode. She calls out 'Abigail', likely her daughter's name, echoing the age-old practices of Yoruba mothers who transform musings into poetic prayers.
The song serves as a eulogy not only for Abigail but for every child, extending its blessings to parents whose love is measured by their sacrifices. It captures the sweetness of a sleeping child alongside the immense responsibility of ensuring their safety, nourishment, and dreams. The chorus is enriched by the gangan's rhythmic pulse, guitar strums, and saxophone melodies, creating memorable musical notes—all condensed into a deliberate, under-two-minute composition.
Adekunbee's Artistic Blueprint and Ewi Tradition
This approach aligns with Adekunbee's other works, such as 'Agbanilagbatan' and 'Alagbara Medley', which are characterized by their brevity, potency, Yoruba titles, and deep emotional roots in family values, gospel devotion, or narrative richness. Her style is deeply influenced by ewi, a Yoruba poetic tradition that has evolved from village squares and court poets to modern recordings and digital platforms.
Scholars describe ewi as a form bridging oral and written traditions, drawing from older practices like oriki and ijala. Following in the footsteps of notable ewi chanters like Sulaimon Ayilara 'Ajobiewe' Aremu, Adekunbee integrates contemporary tools such as studio recording, social media, and digital distribution. She innovatively applies this tradition to music for children, families, faith, and emotion, making it accessible to a global audience.
Cultural Preservation and Global Impact
By recording in Yoruba and structuring performances around oriki cadences, Adekunbee undertakes a seemingly modest yet profoundly significant act. Languages and traditions thrive through usage and practice. A lullaby like 'Marikotikoko', recorded in Yoruba and released worldwide, enables children in Lagos, London, or Toronto to connect with their heritage. It represents cultural transmission at its most intimate—through the voice of a caregiver during moments when a child is most receptive.
Conclusion: A Legacy-Defining Record
'Marikotikoko' may be short in duration, but its purpose is monumental. It functions as a lullaby for children, a hymn for parents, and a vital act of cultural preservation. This song stands as an important contribution to Nigeria's contemporary pop culture and a legacy-defining record for Adekunbee, reaffirming the power of music to nurture and unite across generations.
