The Anambra brothers Chukwuebuka and Ifeanyichukwu, known as Umu Obiligbo, deliver Legendary – an 8-track solo album with no features, just the duo doing what their bloodline prepared them for.
Choosing to put out a full project without a single guest is a statement. After “Culture” with Flavour and Phyno became a national anthem, and after collaborations with Davido and Larry Gaaga expanded their reach, they come back inward on Legendary – just two brothers, Igbo storytelling, and highlife. The title is not careless either. Their grandfather, Chief Ezigbo Obiligbo, was a highlife icon who received a car from General Yakubu Gowon for his music. Their father, Chief Akunwafor Senior Obiligbo, also performed. So when these two call an album Legendary, they are speaking about a lineage, not just themselves.
The 8-track body of work carries titles that lean heavily into Igbo spiritual and cultural language – “Ebube Agu,” “Obi Ocha,” “Sina Chukwu,” “Ndidi.” Even “Trust” and “Balance,” the two English-titled cuts, suggest they are anchoring big ideas in simple words. That is a technique their grandfather also understood well. Umu Obiligbo won Best African Group at AFRIMMA 2020, and their 2020 album Signature kept traditional highlife breathing for a generation that could have easily looked away. Legendary carries that same intention forward.
Hum along to Legendary and let us know in the comments – which track from the album hit you deepest?
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