Awesome Deji’s 2021 classic, “O.K.O” arrives fresh as a mix of nostalgia and intrigue, with its earworm 2010s-style Afrobeats progressions and Deji’s cathartic delivery.
An acronym for Omo Kekere Olowo (“young and wealthy”) — the song spins off as an aspirational single, where Deji fantasizes about the dividends of wealthy living. “Omo Naija, mo ni packaging/ Anywhere I go, them dey holler me”, he sings, with a raspy accented cadence that underlines the song’s cultural flavour.
In the song, Deji’s code-switching, combining Yoruba, English and Nigerian pidgin, expands the song’s enjoyability, with lyrics such as “You can call me Mr Awesome/ Mo ta lenu bi Tom Tom,” ringing with easy-recall. The delivery style is reminiscent of Afrobeat’s golden vintage eras of Olamide, Dagrin, Lord of Ajasa and Reminisce, with the wordy talk-singing hooks and hypermelodic old skool Naija pop percussions.
Produced by Cedelon, the track also tributes Davido’s breakout era, where his debut album and accompanying moniker Omo Baba Olowo (OBO) became cultural statements adored by fans over the world as a metaphor for the quintessential celebrity billionaire. His delivery is very confident and refined with neat accuracy reflecting that nostalgic style. And it evokes catharsis, with its groovy arrangement — especially the interlude outro.
“O.K.O” stands out as a celebratory anthem, a crude, culturally charged memento of Afrobeats golden past and a pinhole peek into Awesome Deji’s fluid progressive street pop. Its only flaws lie within its lyricism, with packs too many fillers and underwhelming street slangs that fail to connect as catchy or meaningful, irrespective of the eras they reflect.
Nonetheless, “O.K.O.” by Awesome Deji rings out as a playlist starter, a groovy street tune that immerses listeners into a dance trance and also conjures ample catharsis for a wholesome experience. It’s rife with replay value and its core hook and chorus are woven with catchy and memorable lyrics.
Born Ibrahim Busari, Awesome Deji has carved a distinctive space in the modern Afrobeats scene as an artist, songwriter, and performer whose sound bridges tradition and innovation. His style fuses Yoruba melodic sensibilities with global
Afrobeat and Amapiano influences, resulting in music that resonates both locally and internationally.
Now based in the United Kingdom, he has performed at numerous high-profile events both home and abroad, building a reputation for his charismatic stage presence, spiritual depth, and genre-fluid artistry.
