The Story Behind Tope Alabi’s 2001 Makosa Song Baba Mimo Mowa Sope
Tope Alabi, also called Agbo Jesu by some fans, is a well-known gospel singer from Nigeria who uses deep Yoruba language in her music.
Before focusing solely on music, she was a pioneer in creating soundtracks for Yoruba films in the 1990s. Reports say she has composed over 350 soundtracks, which is impressive.
Tope Alabi began singing at her local church when she was just seven and has since become a prominent figure in gospel music.
Her journey into gospel music started after she committed her life to Jesus Christ. In 2001, she released her debut album, “Oore Ti o Common” (which means “Uncommon Blessings”). This album featured more than eight tracks, including the popular song “Baba Mimo Mowa Sope,” which is the focus here.
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“Baba Mimo Mowa Sope” is a lively track with a Makossa beat, making it a favorite for dance performances in Nigerian churches and school parties in the early 2000s. The song’s upbeat rhythm, supported by guitar music, encouraged dancers to move in specific steps.
While the Makossa dance style has become less common in Nigeria, the Makossa genre itself is still enjoyed, especially in Christian praise music.
The original version of “Baba Mimo Mowa Sope” was “1er Gaou” by Magic System, released in 1999. Unlike Tope Alabi’s gratitude-filled rendition, the original song by Ivorian Zouglou artists was about a lead singer’s emotional experience with a former girlfriend who tried to reconnect after he became famous.
