CJ Obassey: The Musician Shaping Hits Behind the Scenes

In Nigeria’s contemporary music landscape, where the spotlight often rests on front-facing stars, a quieter force has been steadily shaping the sound of major records from the background; CJ Obassey; and he has proven that he belongs to a rare class of musicians whose fingerprints are everywhere, even when their faces are not. Known within industry circles for his musical intelligence and restraint, CJ Obassey has built a reputation not through noise or controversy, but through consistency, precision, and an almost surgical understanding of sound.

Born CJ Obassey on January 29, in Enugu State, CJ’s relationship with music predates ambition as he was raised in a household where music was ministry, discipline, and calling because his father, the late Reverend Patty Obassey, who remains a towering figure in Nigerian gospel music alongside his mother, Evangelist Esther Obassey, also a seasoned gospel singer exposed CJ early to structure, harmony, and the emotional responsibility that comes with making music people live with. When his father passed away in 2012, the loss became a defining moment; not one that pushed him away from music or made him feel distraught, but one that deepened his commitment to mastering it.

Unlike many of his contemporaries, CJ Obassey’s rise did not follow a predictable artist-to-fame trajectory. Instead, he embedded himself within the machinery of the industry, becoming a go-to instrumentalist and musical director fluent in electric and bass guitar, drums, keyboards, clarinet, and recorder, because he developed a versatility that made him indispensable in studios and on stages. His sound: clean, emotive, and intentional, began to surface across records by some of Nigeria’s most influential artists, often without public credit but never without impact.

Over the years, CJ Obassey has contributed to projects by Omah Lay, Ladipoe, Odumodublvck, Yemi Alade, Ajebo Hustlers, Niniola, Jaywillz, CDQ, Kaestyle, Wizard Chan, and others. These are not fringe names but central figures shaping modern Nigerian pop culture. In 2024, his work on Ladipoe’s Hallelujah earned recognition when the song won Lyrics of the Year, a moment that quietly spotlighted the depth of musicianship supporting the record. For those who pay attention to arrangements, transitions, and musical emotion, CJ’s influence has long been evident.

Artistically, CJ Obassey draws from a wide lineage of sound with his influences ranging from Ray Charles’ emotional honesty to Jimi Hendrix’s expressive guitar work, alongside the performance mastery of Michael Jackson and James Brown. Yet, his style is not derivative. Rooted in Afrobeat and R&B, his approach leans heavily on feel rather than the flash and glamour; a philosophy shaped by years of listening more than speaking, a sensibility that allows him to serve songs rather than overpower them, making him a trusted collaborator in high-stakes creative spaces.

Away from his behind-the-scenes work, CJ Obassey continues to develop his own artistic voice. With songs like Live My Life, One Lege, E.M.M.A 1&2, Love Language, Pass Me the Liquor, and the Sleeping Giant EP, he presents himself as an artist unhurried by trends. His solo work mirrors his personality: introspective, grounded, and confident in its timing. In an industry obsessed with visibility, CJ Obassey stands as proof that influence does not always announce itself; sometimes it simply plays, and the entire room listens. More of that will be evident in his upcoming 17 track album called Sleeping Giant The Album.