Jimi Solanke

EARLY LIFE

Jimi Solanke was born on 4 July 1942 in the Olowogbowo area of Lagos Island, Lagos State, Nigeria, into an affluent family with deep roots in Remo culture in Ogun State. His grandfather was a Lisa (a traditional title), and his father was a chief, providing a culturally rich environment steeped in Yoruba traditions. Despite initial family reluctance toward his artistic pursuits, his mother offered unwavering support and encouragement, nurturing his creative spirit from a young age. He grew up exposed to a blend of international music—from artists like Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Duke Ellington, and Sarah Vaughan—and African highlife bands such as E.T. Mensah, Bobby Benson, Charles Iwegbue, and Roy Chicago. Solanke attended Olowogbowo Methodist School for elementary education and Odogbolu Grammar School in Ogun State for secondary education, where he began songwriting. His passion for the performing arts blossomed early, influenced by the vibrant cultural scene around him. He later pursued formal training, earning a diploma in drama from the University of Ibadan under notable teachers including Geoffrey Axworthy, Martin Banham, Joel Adedeji, and Wole Soyinka. In 1969, he joined the Department of Dramatic Arts at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), further honing his skills under mentors like Ola Rotimi (drama), Akin Euba (music), and Peggy Harper (dance). This educational foundation, combined with his cultural heritage, shaped him into a lifelong custodian of Yoruba traditions and a bridge between traditional folklore and modern storytelling.

CAREER

Jimi Solanke was a multifaceted Nigerian cultural icon whose career spanned over six decades as an actor, dramatist, folk singer, poet, playwright, and master storyteller. He began his professional acting journey in 1961 as a pioneer member of the Orisun Theatre Group, founded by Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, and was part of the influential Mbari Club literary and artistic circle alongside Soyinka and other luminaries. His early work blended theatre, music, and folklore, drawing from Yoruba traditions while incorporating modern elements. After his diploma from the University of Ibadan, Solanke moved to the United States in 1969, where he founded the drama group The Africa Review. This ensemble focused on showcasing African culture through performances in Yoruba costumes at Black schools and communities, establishing him as a solo storyteller in Los Angeles, California. He gained international recognition, including features on CNN as a “master storyteller.” In 1986, he returned to Nigeria with members of his group, joining the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). There, he created and hosted the beloved children’s program Storyland, where he served as the minstrel—playing guitar, singing, dancing, and telling folktales with artistic flair. The show became a cultural staple, enchanting generations of young Nigerians and countering cultural fragmentation through education and entertainment. He also hosted or appeared in other NTA and LTV programs, including The Bar Beach Show, For Better for Worse, Village Headmaster, Family Scene, Children’s Half Hour, African Stories on AIT, and Maggi Family Menu. Solanke’s film and stage work was equally impactful. He played lead roles in many of Ola Balogun’s films and was part of the cast for the film adaptation of Wole Soyinka’s Kongi's Harvest. Other notable credits include Sango: The Legendary African King (1997), Shadow Parties (2021, as Akanji’s Father), and serving as narrator in Jagun Jagun (2023). On stage, he excelled in productions like Kurumi, Chattering and the Song, Ovoramwen Nogbaisi, The Divorce, Death and the King’s Horseman, and Sizwe Bansi Is Dead. He preferred the raw, immersive connection of stage acting over film, describing it as “raw, real, and [offering] an incomparable connection with audiences.” As a folk singer and poet, Solanke composed and performed songs that wove Yoruba linguistic and cultural elements with English code-switching, delivering didactic messages on themes like hard work, patriotism, and Nigeria’s potential. Popular tracks include “Onile Gogoro,” “Eje ka jo,” “Jenrokan,” “Na today you come,” “Owuro L’ojo,” “Eni bi Eni,” “Bere Mo’Le,” and “Ororo Ile.” He released albums such as Eke ka jo (Let us Dance), In the Beginning, Ase, Storyteller, America Has Got Magic, Orin Orisa, Multiplicity of Praise, Hidden Gold, and Once Upon a Time. Many of his songs were recorded by other artists, including Roy Chicago. His poetry and storytelling extended to events like the Lagos Black Heritage Festival. In 1977, after performing at FESTAC, he contributed what he claimed was the world’s first rap verse on Ralph MacDonald’s track “The Path,” alongside artists like Grover Washington, Hugh Masekela, and Miriam Makeba. He also encountered Stevie Wonder during the festival. Throughout his career, Solanke dedicated himself to propagating Yoruba culture and values in a modern context, mentoring younger artists and using his versatile talents—golden voice, flexible dance moves, and captivating narration—to preserve Nigeria’s heritage. He was celebrated as a cultural traditionalist and griot whose work bridged generations and mediums.

PERSONAL LIFE

Jimi Solanke was a devoted family man and cultural traditionalist who embodied the values of integrity, diligence, and legacy. He was married to the daughter of a reverend, whom he described as someone who saw beyond his public persona as an actor to the man, dreamer, and lover of life. His philosophy centered on the idea that life is not about the wealth accumulated but about the lives one touches and the legacy left behind. He credited his mother’s belief in his dreams as a cornerstone of his resilience and success, despite early family reservations about his artistic path. Solanke was known for his warm, engaging personality—affectionately called “Uncle Jimi” or “Baba Agba”—and his deep commitment to preserving Nigerian (particularly Yoruba) cultural heritage. He lived between Lagos and his country home in Ipara-Remo, Ogun State, maintaining strong ties to his roots. His personal outlook emphasized cultural pride, storytelling as a tool for education and unity, and a life of purpose. He passed away on 5 February 2024 at the age of 81 after a brief illness, while being rushed to the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital in Sagamu, Ogun State (some reports mention Babcock University Teaching Hospital en route from his Ipara-Remo home). His death marked the end of an era for Nigerian arts and culture, with tributes highlighting his role as a griot and master storyteller.

Jimi Solanke left an indelible legacy as one of Nigeria’s foremost cultural custodians, blending folklore, theatre, music, and film to educate, entertain, and unite. His philosophy—that life’s true measure lies in the lives touched and the legacy preserved—resonated through his decades of work. He was a versatile artist who excelled across stage, screen, television, and music, always prioritizing cultural authenticity and audience impact. His contributions to children’s programming like Storyland and his international storytelling efforts helped globalize Nigerian narratives while rooting them in Yoruba traditions. Tributes following his passing in February 2024 highlighted his role as a pioneer who mentored in the Nigerian art scene and innovated on stage alongside figures like Wole Soyinka and Ola Rotimi. Solanke’s timeless songs, poems, and performances continue to inspire, reminding audiences of the power of storytelling in preserving identity and fostering national pride. He passed away peacefully, having lived a life devoted to the arts and his cultural roots.