It has come to my knowledge that the glorious Kefee passed on in the wee hours of this morning. This Public Administration graduate and United Nations Young Ambassador for Peace was on a fourteen hour flight to Los Angeles when she fell into a coma, forcing the plane to land. The doctors explained that she was in a critical condition, and it would take only a miracle for her to survive.1
Born to Deacon and Mrs. Andrew Obareki, Kefee started singing at the early age of 8. She was made Adult Choir Director at her church at 18, and released her first album titled ‘Trip’ in her university days.
In 2003, her ‘Branama’ titled album sold nine thousand audio cassettes within 3 weeks of release and over 2 million compact disks within a month! Needless to say she became the hottest female Nigerian artiste, even garnering international attention.2
Kefee touched me in a special way. Her song ‘Kokoro’ was so real to me, and every word inspired me to believe that she had a personal relationship with God. I remember jamming to it in my second year at the University of Lagos, with my roommate slotting in her name into the lyrics, chanting ‘Kefee and Dolapo, with Christ, we’re going higher and higher…’
I also recall watching her interview on a reputable television channel, when she was going through her divorce, confidently stating God’s words for her during this trying period.
Her voice was legendary and extraordinary;and she always pushed herself. On the traditional radar, she hit it with ‘Branama’, she smacked Urban Naija ‘Kokoroko’. She also sounded exceedingly sweet when she was featured in Sammie Okposo’s ‘Na Only You’.
Kefee is definitely someone I would not forget in a hurry.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sa57F9YMG8k]
1. http://dailypost.ng/2014/06/13/breaking-multi-award-winning-gospel-singer-kefee-branama-dead/
2. http://iroking.com/artist/29/kefee
Written and Edited by Ose Binitie
Very sad indeed…
Yes, very. God rest her soul.