Daily Discovery: Chris Obehi – Otiloh

Christopher Goddey, performing under the name Obehi, is a 23-year-old Nigerian singer-songwriter residing in Sicily, Italy. Obehi’s migration from Nigeria was driven by religious persecution from Boko Haram, leading him through a perilous five-month trek across Niger, the desert, and Libya, culminating in his arrival at Lampedusa. After briefly staying in Messina, he settled in Palermo where he was welcomed by a community for minors and studied contrabass at the Alessandro Scarlatti conservatory, intensifying his musical pursuits. He started his music career performing on the streets of Palermo, and his debut album, released in March 2020, quickly earned him a growing following.

His latest single, “Otiloh,” which means “departure” in Yoruba, combines pop, folk, afrobeat, and reggae. The song highlights the universal struggles of life and showcases Obehi’s dedication to human rights, with lyrics in English, Italian, Yoruba, and Sicilian. “Otiloh” is a poignant homage to Nigeria, directly appealing to President Bola Tinubu to champion democratic progress amidst national difficulties.

You can stream and listen to the single HERE