Fuji Music

The Fuji phenomenon
Fuji music origin was not that chaotic.The music is believed to have originated from here,itself some sort of call-to-prayer music performed by ajisari groups to wake the Islamic faithful during the Ramadan, Islam's holy month. As musical style, was popularized by Gani Irefin and the deceased Ibadan-based wure exponent, Alhaji Dauda Epo-Akara. In the early days of Nigeria's independence, several small ajisari groups thrived in the Muslim-dominated communities of Isale Eko on Lagos Island and Mushin on the mainland. Before Fuji music came to dominate the Yoruba party scene, these performers, known as ajiwere, with their main accompanying instrument - sakara drum - ruled the scene. Prominent among performers in those days were the likes of Ayinde Fatai, Ayinde Muniru Mayegun a.k.a. "General Captain," Ajadi Bashiru, Ajadi Ganiyu, Ayinla Yekini, Bashiru Abinuwaye, Sikiru Abiba, Kawu Aminu, Sikiru Onishemo, Jibowu Barrister, Saka Olayigbade and Jolly Lawal, among others. Today, in certain quarters, some variously credit Saka Olayigbade, Jolly Lawal or Jibowu Barrister (under whom Sikiru Ayinde Barrister cut his musical teeth) as creating the new genre known as Fuji. Most, however, insist that Fuji music was pioneered and popularized by none other than the man now revered as Fuji's grand lord, Dr Sikiru Ayinde Barrister. Barrister, many maintain, was the one that created Fuji music, bringing it to the mainstream and borrowing from the influences of earlier styles like Apala and Sakara to create a unique sound that has today become an influential music style in this part of Africa.

Sikiru Ayinde Barrister was among the many youths that played were music in those days before the Nigerian civil war broke out in 1967. During the war, many of these youthful singers, including Barrister, were drafted into the military. After the war, Barrister continued singing and started recording songs even while he remained in the military. Before he eventually quit the military in 1976 for full time career in music at the prompting of juju legend and now minister of God, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi, Barrister had emerged a prominent singer whose music lightened up party scenes. He was credited with christening the new style Fuji music. Barrister would later invite his friend and co-combatant in the army, Rasak Kolawole Ayinla, now known as General Kollington Ayinla, to also hop aboard the Fuji train. Their success and rivalry - invariably led many other youthful singers with varied styles to mount the Fuji platform. Among early players on the Fuji turf were Saura Alhaji, Fatai Adio, Waidi Akangbe, Sikiru Olawoyin, Iyanda Sawaba, Wasiu Ayinde Barrister (who eventually jettisoned the Barrister moniker for Marshal, and picked up the title, King of Fuji), Fatai Ishola Sandoka, Easy Kabaka, Ramoni Akanni, Love Azeez, Suleiman Adigun, Sakaniyau Ejire, Suleiman Adigun, Sir Shina Akanni, Rasheed Ayinde, Wasiu Ayinla, and others. While many of these names have fizzled out from the scene, a few still maintain some measure of relevance. These days, among the stars dominating the scene are Adewale Ayuba, Abass Akande Obesere, Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, Shefiu Alao, Saheed Osupa, Remi Aluko, Muri Thunder, Bayo Ojuyobo, Sule Adio Atawewe and several others.

In Lagos, Ibadan, Ijebu and other parts of Nigeria's southwest, Fuji music commands a cult-like followership. Wherever you go, it seems the preferred music for every season. At the motor parks and bus stops, on adio and television, among donning revelers at Owanbe parties, and from the cassette players of commercial Fuji music assails the ear from every comer. On every danfo and molue bus in Lagos, photographs of Fuji singers in varied postures smile at you.And at night,around the many slums in Lagos, Ibadan and other towns in this part of the country, you see several young men in little groups of three or four, a few improvised drums in their midst, all clothing themselves in the garb of Fuji stars, singing the night away in diverse tones.


Weird names,weird acts
Across the world, it is not strange for artistes to dump their birth names for some new appellations.Among Fuji singers,this practice is not just the fad,but using real names seems a major taboo.Not too many artistes go by the name their dads gave them at birth, unlike in juju music where many artistes keep to their original names. The names of Fuji singers usually follow a specific pattern.There is always a first name, a middle name (usually a Yoruba praise name), and a stage name that a mentally balanced parent would certainly refuse to christen his kid with. Such names include Obesere (Omorapala), Pasuma (Paso), Atawewe, Scorpido, Sandoka, Askari, Ojuyobo, Thunder, Tekoma, Tekoye, Merenge, and the like.

Feuding, a normal fad
On Fuji scene,no life has yet been lost to the unhealthy rivalry among artistes.Many have,however,had their psyche bruised with abusive songs from fellow songsters. Since the days of its early exponents, peace on the Fuji landscape has been as scarce a commodity as a set of teeth in a chicken's mouth. For decades, Alhaji Ayinde Barrister and his arch-rival, General Kollington Ayinla, have been at each other's throat over the former's claims that he pioneered the Fuji genre. And, apparently following in the footsteps of their role models, other Fuji artistes have taken up the gauntlet, bickering with one another over allegations of name dropping, title theft, piracy and the like. Since his coronation as fuji king,Wasiu Ayinde,now known as Kl The Ultimate, has hardly had a tranquil reign. On many occasions, his authority has been challenged by younger artistes who query his claim to kingship. Notable among such rebels is Obesere. At other times, there have been feuds between Obesere and Easy Kabaka, Obesere and Rasheed Ayinde, Saheed Osupa and Alabi Pasuma, Saheed Osupa and Muri Thunder, and several others. Recently, the purported crowning of Saheed Osupa as king of Fuji (or king of music) by Barrister raised considerable dust which continues to cause ripples on the Fuji scene.

Acting,the new pastime
In Fuji,acting has become a second calling for most artistes.Several artistes have successfully combined acting with singing. Fuji big names like Ayinde Barrister, Wasiu Ayinde, and Obesere have participated in movies at one time or the other. Even now, Fuji stars like Saheed Osupa and Pasuma have virtually added acting to their musical career.Besides acting,Saheed Osupa is also gradually emerging a major producer in the Yoruba home movie sector.

Exaggerated lifestyles
One thing you can't miss out is the flashy and exaggerated lifestyles of the practitioners.Among Fuji artistes,exhibition of ostentatious living is a consistent habit. Although not every Fuji singer is guilty of such practice, the vast majority are, and do-not give a damn. As soon as the artiste returns from a trip outside Nigeria, (it matters little if it's to Abidjan, Accra or Addis Ababa), he quickly releases an album where he narrates an exaggerated tale of his exploits abroad, regaling his fans with how white men and women have embraced his style of Fuji.He flaunts his harem of women,the houses he purportedly owns in Canada and automobiles he just brought from Europe,usually a Hummer, Lincoln Navigator or Ford Expedition.