The two-step guitar rhythm that opens up “Gbega” is a voyage into the lush history of Nigeria’s highlife genre. Before the advent of modern pop music, highlife has existed as a euphony of spaniard guitar traditions and African percussive styles. Its decline, circa the late ‘90s and recent renaissance within Afrobeats spaces, has highlighted it as a phoenix of sorts, one that finds its most resplendent beauty in fusions like Tunde Omomeji’s “Gbega”.

With a subtle bassy bounce, the chorus ushers Tunde Omomeji’s Christian supplications with a blend of Pidgin, English language and Yoruba, “Plenty plenty blessings for my life; because He (God)/ Come everybody make we glorify/ Oya Gbega gbega!” Other parts of the song, especially the bridge, is tucked with some folk-leaning Yoruba chants, “Ijo Majo fun Orisa/ Ma kun kun fun Olorun, fun Olorun….” The entire record salutes his maker for his continued blessings, soaring within Tunde Omomeji’s sonority and the song’s nostalgic compositions.

The song’s second verse shows Tunde’s Rap skill, as he rhymes:”Mr 10/10, I can’t navigate it/ Love me so deep, I can navigate it/ All of my pain, you eradicate it/ My life dey sweet, I dey celebrate it/ With you on my side, they can’t debate it.” Tunde’s tenor soars high across the record, flowing expertly with the song’s harmony. The song’s soothing mix uplifts its melodic ambience, creating a hyper textured feel of serenity and excitement with its chord progressions. Save for the song’s sparse lyricism and a bit of oversaturated crescendo within the hook, the entire song is a giddy groove thriving with sparky transitions, catchy and didactic lyricism, as well as sonorous delivery.

The entirety of “Gbega” is a salutation to Naija Gospel Christendom, showcasing the avant-garde nature of contemporary gospel catalogues like Tunde Omomeji’s highlife fusion. The song’s overall cohesion and relaxing groove make it a soothing listen, one that is poised to propel its overall recall and replay values.

Tunde Omomeji is a Nigerian pianist, vocalist, music director, arranger, and composer with over two decades of experience in the music industry. Renowned for his emotive and dynamic performances, Tunde is celebrated for his ability to blend Afrobeat, gospel, jazz, and contemporary styles into a sound that is both innovative and deeply rooted in tradition. His artistry lies not just in his soulful piano skills and powerful vocals, but also in his exceptional talent for arranging and composing music that resonates across cultures.