LAWRENCE OLAIWOLA EDUN (LARRY)
About Larry
He was born on the 25th of September 1958 in Isale Eko on Lagos Island. He attended the Apostolic Grammar School and later Badagry Grammar School before leaving Nigeria in 1979 to study Law in the United Kingdom. He returned to Nigeria in 1986 to equip himself in what he believes in. He went ahead to the University of Lagos, Akoka where he gained a certificate in Music and Diploma in Law.
Also, he is a graduate of History and International Studies from Lagos State University, Ojo. He has a Master of Arts Degree in History and Strategic Studies from the University of Lagos. He graduated from the University of Ibadan, where he gained an M.Phil in History and International Studies. Presently, he is a PHD student at the University of Ibadan, Department of History and International Studies. He is happily married with two lovely children.
His work emphasis feelings and attitudes that serves to develop a shared philosophy of love and justice. Having been open to new ideas, the Afro reggae style has helped him to fuse reggae into jazz with the afro touch of African percussions, with his saxophone serving as the lead melodic voice.
He has been in the Nigerian music scene since 1999 and has played at several live shows in different locations in the country and around the West Coast of Africa, impacting positive messages into peoples’ lives. In the recent past, Larry and his Afro reggae jazz band have performed at Felabration Concert 2015, the Africa Meets Reggae Concert 2014, 2015 and 2016.
Albums
1st Album: Africa's Problem
Larry’s debut album, titled “Africa’s problem”, is dedicated to the children of Africa as a tool of emancipation from poverty. It contains tracks like ‘politics’, ‘Africa’s problem’, ‘rasta reggae’, ‘Jamaica, we say hello’, ‘Ghetto dub’, and ‘time for school’, which exposes the ills in the contemporary African society.
2nd Album: H.G.V.
‘Hyper Greediness Virus’—‘HGV’ for short is the title of the second album. HGV is a cry for the eradication of corruption in the present African society. The legendary Bob Marley and the Afro beat king, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, influenced it. It also contains tracks like ‘you must be funny’, ‘american blackman’, ‘party dub’, ‘under-age’, and ‘happy DJ’.
3rd Album: MONEY
His third album, titled ‘Money’, has tracks like E.O.P. meaning Enemies of Progress. It is about the unprogressive attitude of Africans towards development. ‘Sacred Cows’ is a jazzy third track, about the untouchables, above the law rogues in Africa, with a track dedicated to Jah, and another jazzy political track.
4th Album: Today
His 4th album dealt with corruption in Africa. It includes tracks like ‘Today’, ‘Wake up Africa’, ‘Survival’, ‘Keep on lying’, ‘Shayo pure afro beat’ and ‘Gheto Dup ii’, jazz with no vocal.
5th Album: D.A.Y.S.
‘Dance Away Your Sorrows’—‘D.A.Y.S.’ for short is the title of his fifth album. It includes tracks like ‘Dance Away Your Sorrows’, ‘Good Morning Africa’, ‘Our Friend’, ‘Relax’, ‘This World’, and ‘Village Groove’.
6th Album: Good Morning Africa
His 6th album contains only instrumentals of previously released tracks with no vocals.