In an industry driven by hit records and chart positions, CJ Obassey has become one of Nigeria’s most trusted behind-the-scenes architects, an artist whose guitar strings and songwriting instincts subtly define the emotional core of today’s biggest songs. From Omah Lay’s Reason to OdumoduBlvck ft Davido’s Funds, CKay’s Forever, and OdumoduBlvck’s expansive catalogue of genre-bending records, CJ’s fingerprints are everywhere. His work is not loud, but it is unmistakable: smooth live guitar arrangements, expressive string layers, and musical decisions that make songs feel richer, warmer, and deeply intentional. Artists consistently turn to him when they want their records to sound “expensive” without losing soul; a balance few musicians can strike naturally.
Beyond session work, CJ Obassey’s influence runs deeper through full-scale production and songwriting. He led the production of Ladipoe’s Hallelujah, co-produced culturally rooted records like Kolaboy’s Ezinwanyi, and played a defining role in Chidinma Ekile’s gospel transition, shaping songs that blended spirituality with contemporary sound. His collaborations stretch across generations and genres: Ajebo Hustlers, Kaestyle, Blaqbonez, Niniola, Yemi Alade, Ice Prince, and more, each time adapting his guitar language to serve the artist’s identity. What truly sets CJ apart is how he bridges eras: carrying the melodic discipline of Igbo Highlife inherited from his legendary father, Rev. Patty Obassey, into modern Afrobeats. In a music scene that moves fast, CJ Obassey remains proof that depth, culture, and quiet excellence still power Nigeria’s biggest songs
