In the Nigerian music industry, Peter Ogunyemi, popularly known as Elemure, a legendary Nigerian traditional musician and cultural frontman who pioneered and modernized traditional Ekiti folk music (Ere Ibile) by infusing local Ekiti dialects with modern instruments to popularize the Native Blues also called New Dimension Blues throughout the world till today, cannot be forgotten for his deep commitment to propagating Yoruba culture.

The revered King of Ekiti Music was born on August 23, 1944, into the family of Olori Awo, Head of the Cult of Ifa Priests for Isaba and Egbeoba Land, Chief Jimoh Akanbi Ogunyemi Aleyelogigun; his mother was the late Oke Ogunyemi, an indigene of Ijelu Ekiti. In the 1950s, he completed his Standard Six education at St. Peter’s Catholic Primary School, Ikole-Ekiti, where he was the leader of a music band.

In 1966, Elemure, with an intention of learning plumbing or welding skills, was forced to drop out of vocational training due to financial struggle. However, he got employment at the Federal Ministry of Finance in Lagos, where he worked as a messenger and later a clerical assistant.

Because of the love he had for music, Peter Ogunyemi was juggling between the civil service and music. By 1972, he was already performing on television and at late night shows. During this time, he released his first record, Irawo Mi Le, in 1974. However, the responsibilities of the two conflicting jobs made him resign in 1976 from the civil service to focus on his musical career full time.

Upon his resignation, he bought his first ever set of music instruments with the one-year salary, approximately £864, he was paid. After three years that he left the civil service, he moved to Ekiti to establish his Musical Headquarters and formed his legendary status.

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Being the son of Olori Awo, Elemure was exposed to the mysteries of Ifa oracular chants and traditional Yoruba religion which is evident in his lyrics. This knowledge helped him to flawlessly blend Yoruba idioms, aphorisms and proverbs, and his exposure to the Ifa verses made him stand out in delivering deep thoughtful lyrics which did not just make him famous, but set him as a cultural ambassador.

Elemure Ogunyemi did not just play Apiiri but modernized it into Ere Ibile, Indigenous Play, by blending the Apiiri rhythmic patterns with Hunters’ Chant, and introduced contemporary instruments like guitars to make it globally appealing.

Before his New Dimension Blues genre and the formation of his music band, Chief Dr. Elemure Ogunyemi & His New Dimension Blues Int’L, Elemure, who had no formal music training, drew his inspiration from the diverse Ekiti music genres which include Apiiri genre, prominent in Emure, Alele, Alamo, praise chants and Adamo, notable with instruments like the Pipiri (Okiiri) drum, Sekere (gourds) and Agogo (metal gongs), performed during sacred rituals, social celebrations and historical storytelling.

Peter Ogunyemi Elemure’s sound relied on indigenous and modern instruments like Okiiri (or Pipiri), Sekere, Agogo, Dundun and later introduced electric guitars and keyboards into his music to modernize the rhythms and appeal to a broader urban audience. His music was unique because of the Emure-Ekiti dialect that he flawlessly used to deliver his philosophical messages, using animal metaphors and proverbs to address social issues like the time of petrol scarcity he talked about in his breakout hit, “Seranmo.”

Over his career, the King of Ekiti Music released between 46 to 50 albums with tracks like Seranmo, Ekiti Kete / Ekiti State Anthem, Ere Igbagbo, Irawo Mi Le, Berekete and Ekiti Yeye. His mastery of the Emure-Ekiti dialect and traditional rhythms took him on tours to the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and Poland.

Elemure’s genre template influenced his peers and other prominent singers like King Femi Ariyo, often cited as Elemure’s chief contemporary and “rival,” Dele Matina, Osaloni Ojo, among others.

Until his passing on Thursday, September 18, 2014, Elemure remained one of Nigeria’s most honoured traditional musicians. He received over 105 local and international awards and was conferred with an honorary Doctorate degree by the University of Ilorin in 1994. He also held high-ranking traditional titles, including Elejoka of Isaba-Ekiti in Ikole Local Government and Amuludun of Ayede-Ekiti.

Through his music, Peter Ogunyemi Elemure immortalised Ekiti culture, ensuring that the rhythms, dialects and spiritual depth of his people continue to resonate across generations.