Sixteen years after his death, fans of Oliver Sunday Akanite, popularly known as Oliver De Coque, will be privileged to enjoy his Ogene sound again as his second son, Darlington, has remixed the highlife maestro’s evergreen song, Identity, to keep his spirit alive.
Better known by his stage name as Safin, Darlington Akanite, released the single recently under the Asaba-based Virgin Bird Entertainment, and the song is already enjoying massive airplay.
Identity was first released in October 1991, by Chief Dr. Oliver De Coque and His Expo ‘76 Ogene Sound Super of Africa.
Safin said, in remixing the song, he reassembled his late father’s band members, including his backup vocalist who helped in delivering the chorus of the song and reuniting the fans with the Ogene music again.
Though Safin’s music is a slight departure from his late father’s Ogene sound, as he plays hip hop with a blend of highlife, Identity remix is more of a spiritual connection with his late dad.
The artiste said he believes in following new trends while keeping tab with the message of his music.
The song, however, relives the sweet memories of the heydays of Oliver De Coque on stage.
He admitted that, growing up he has always wanted to take after his father. “You can’t be the son of Oliver De Coque and you wouldn’t want to go into music. Music has always been in me,” Safin said.
Recall that Oliver De Coque died on June 20, 2008, as a result of heart attack. He had over 73 albums to his credit.
Commenting on the single, owner of Virgin Bird Entertainment, actor Cyril Pharaoh, said, Identity remix will not only launch Safin’s career into the mainstream music.
