OLAYIWOLA Ibrahim Majekodunmi, popularly known by his stage name, General Pype, needs no introduction as his debut hit single, Champion critically announced him into the Nigerian entertainment music scene.
The reggae/dancehall musician is one of the pioneers of the dancehall music genre, which draws inspiration from the famous music icons like Bob Marley, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Majek Fashek, Barry White, Supercat, Don Carlos, Sizzla, Barrington Levy and Sean Paul.
Formerly known as Majek, General Pype creates unique sounds that go beyond the African continent with some elements of Jamaican language – Patois. He describes his sound as reggae fusion, which willingly incorporates elements of hip-hop, rock-pop and R&B into the riddims of reggae and dancehall. He calls it the ‘tube-sound’ – striking vocals that capture a forest of emotions and textures.
Though born on October 9, 1983 in Abeokuta, Ogun State, he was raised in Lagos State. He started his music career in the 90s while still in school, at the St. Gregory’s Secondary School, Obalende, where he joined a 30-man classical ensemble, Triumphant Chorale Voices.
His membership of the group earned him tour opportunities of the continent and performances in Abuja’s Eagle Square ushering in the new millennium, and at the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.He left the group to pursue his solo musical interests. His manager changed his stage name from Majek to ‘Pype’, an acronym for Prolific Youth Positive Entertainer. By 2005, he had established himself as a reggae/dancehall performer.
In 2007, American television series The Shield included his song Keep it Cool. He wowed the nation with his song Champion (2009), which was well received with massive rotation in radio stations across the country. He followed with Give it to Me in 2012.
Champion, reverberated across the world, and back home, where it became the anthem for local sports stations, and received the remix treatment from late Dagrin, Vector, Naeto C, Sasha and GT (in addition to numerous unofficial remixes and covers that popped up across the continent).
For his musical ingenuity, the reggae/dancehall star has been recognised with numerous honours, most notably the Channel O Music Video Award for Best Dancehall/Ragga Video in 2010.
General Pype was for some time, off the music grid following what may be considered a self-imposed music hiatus after his last single Mash It Up in 2018. He is back, improved and ready to weave his wand of soul-stirring lyrics in his wildly anticipated singles, collaborations and EPs with the diaspora, and the world.
His latest offering is an intense lover’s hymn titled Mine Only. The new anthem was produced by Izybeats, the Grammy Award winning producer, Yo Izy! Are You Kidding Me! under the banner of his own record company, Obalende Records.
The energetic, passion filled new single resonates with all lovers of love, reminiscing about the impact of love in a melody mesh they can vibe to. The lingering phrase “Every Rose is a flower but not every flower is a Rose, so what is mine is Mine Only” that resonates throughout this tune, encompasses the essence of the Afro-reggae artiste, who compliments hip-hop, rock, pop and R&B into the ‘riddims’ of reggae and dancehall.
Asked how he feels about other artistes taking his place in the industry as king, especially on the speculations that there are hard feelings between him and Burna Boy and some other artistes who practice his style of music, Pype dismissed the claims, saying, “I’m not contesting with anybody. Even in all my quietness, none of them has been able to beat General Pype’s record.
“They’ve been doing great jobs and I love their vibes but everyone knows I’m the progenitor of that style. It is pointless for me to then think of any of them as rivals because I’ve set my own pace already. If I wanted to drop four or five albums today without recording, I could do that. I did All The Loving, with Burna Boy and Phyno.
On why he opted for reggae/dancehall, Pype said: “Of all the kinds of musicians that I ever agreed with, it was reggae, because they were rebellious and they speak the truth to power. People feel it; they could say things directly to the government from the ghetto.”
Apart from years of recording in his own studio, the incredibly talented headliner stated that he spent an intense month in the country recording music, shooting videos, and working on notable collaborations towards his upcoming EP.
“We generated our power and water, everything. That wasn’t something I was so happy about. I told myself, if I’m ever going to do my own music, I’m going to be singing positive messages to the youth,” he said of his experience at Obalende.
He enthused that finishing touches are currently being put to his much anticipated debut album, with record labels Podium Vybez and Storm 360 combining forces to ensure that it hits the world stage.
