Ìsọ̀lá Ògúnsọlá, popularly known as I show Pepper, appeared on the cover of the Atọ́ka Photoplay Series in August 1982. Born Timothy Olusola Isola Ogunsola on November 14, 1942, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, he hailed from the Baala Dasaolu compound in Oke Itoku. However, he spent much of his early life in his family village of Olokuta, located in the Oluyole local government area of Ibadan.
In 1959, Ogunsola joined the Akin Ogungbe Concert Party, a theatre troupe based in Abeokuta, alongside contemporaries such as Jimoh Aliu, Charles Olumo (Àgbákò), Femi Adeyemo (Baba n gba life), and Afolabi Afolayan (Jagua). After completing his training under Akin Ogungbe in 1965, he teamed up with Afolabi Afolayan to establish their own theatre group, the Afolayan Ogunsola Theatre Group. Ogunsola mentored several artists, including Samson Eluwole (Jinadu Ewele), who managed the troupe until Ogunsola’s death, as well as Adeniyi Orofo (Ewejoko) and Gbolagade Adedeji (Aro).
Ogunsola was a versatile theatre artist, excelling as a director, actor, singer, drummer, dancer, and music composer. He was among the pioneers of television plays, following in the footsteps of legends like Hubert Ogunde and Kola Ogunmola. Ogunsola was also among the first to have his plays featured in the Photoplay Series, Atọka.
In 1969, he was awarded an honorary doctorate in the use of drums by the University of Jos, earning him the title “Dr. Ishow Pepper.” He also co-produced Nigeria’s first home video film, Ekun, with Muhideen Alade Aromire.
Some of his notable works include Efunsetan Aniwura, Ìyàwó Alalubosa, Agbalowo Meeri, Ibu Olokun, Jomi Joke, Aja lo leru, Koseegbe, Fere bi ekun, Olowolayemo, and many more.
Ogunsola collaborated with various artists such as Adedeji Aderemi (Olofa Ina), Kareem Adepoju (Bàbá Wande), Lere Paimo, Idowu Philips, Lanre Hassan, Sunday Omobolanle, Gbenga Adeboye, Fatai Odua, and others. He passed away at the age of 50 on December 28, 1992.
Source: ayoadams
