Ogundipe oluwatoyin amos Yusuf Olatunji, also known as Baba Legba or Baba L’Egba, was a Nigerian Sakara drum player who popularized the sakara music style. He was born in 1908 in the village of Begbinlawo Gbagura, Abeokuta, Ogun State, in southwestern Nigeria.
Olatunji started his music career at a young age of 8 as a drummer in his village. He later joined a sakara music group led by Shaki without his parents’ consent. His role models included his cousin Aminu Yusuf, Shaki, Suura Dan Busari, and Habib Ayinde Oluwa.
Olatunji was a gifted lyricist and composer. He had a team of music composers led by Lagos prince Taslim Ayinde Sonibare and Salawa Abeni. His band members were considered the best in sakara music, including lead drummer Pa Kasumu Isola Sanni, Olomele Shitta Bankole and Rahman Akanbi, and Onigba Sanusi Popoola Olosunde.
Olatunji’s mid-life conversion to Islam boosted his career in Yoruba music. He started his recording career in 1937 and joined Abibu Oluwa’s band in 1927.
Olatunji sang praise songs for many prominent social clubs in southwestern Nigeria and was a friend of late notable figures like Lamidi Durowoju, Jimoh Ishola, Raji Orire, and Badejo Okunsanya.
Olatunji died on December 15, 1978, at the age of 74. He is survived by 4 children and 3 wives: Mama Sabitiu Abake, Alhaja Fatima Yusuf, and Alhaja. A rich woman named Alhaja Kuburatu Abike Adebisi, known as Cash Madam in Abeokuta, sent him abroad, but he died 7 years later.
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