The Nigerian music industry mourns the death of Samuel Babafemi Esho, fondly known as “Baba Esho” or “Baba Musician”.
According to a statement from Bunmi Esho’s family, Baba Esho passed away on Monday, June 17, 2024, at the age of 77, after a brief illness.
Esho is a pillar of the Nigerian music industry. He served as the chairman of Evergreen Music Company and founded the Evergreen Music Heritage Foundation. He spent his life meticulously collecting records by Nigerian musicians. Driven by a desire to share his collection, Esho founded Evergreen Records.
At the time of his death, Ash was actively involved in creating a music empire called the Evergreen Music Legacy Foundation. The project is a collaboration with the General Superintendent of the Ministry of Wildfires, Olukoya DK, and is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.
The Evergreen Music Heritage Foundation is conceived as a multi-faceted complex that includes a music museum, a music library and an art gallery displaying sculptures of famous musicians. It also houses more than 1,000 photographs of Nigerian musicians since 1914, as well as historical artifacts such as costumes and musical instruments. The plan also calls for a concert events centre, cinema and recording studio.
The Evergreen Music Heritage Foundation aims to be a haven for music lovers around the world as a historical landmark and tourist destination.
Details of his funeral arrangements will be released to the public by the family.
