Late Sunny Okosun, Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, Sunny Ade
African International music Ambassador, Dr Sikiru Ayinde Barrister described Fuji music as a fully sewn white garment that musicians of various class would have their share of beautiful sewn regalia.Barrister-a philosophical singer must have seen todays from his premises.He described Fuji music as the combination of gudugudu, afro beat, highlife, Sakara, Apala and juju.
He has this acumen of being able to switch-over to any style of songs.He was very versatile in both lyrics and could sing hip hop or rap.
Hence, it is not a surprise that he mentored kwam 1 whose stage name was formerly Wasiu Ayinde Barrister.
He tutored him on the rudiments of Fuji music. He was a close ally, rival and childhood friend of Kollington Ayinla.They both enlisted in the Nigeria Army and resigned together. The rivalry between the duo was very stiff and notable among their fans. A replica of the rivalry between Ayinla Omowura and Fatai Olowonyo.
Indeed, at a point, Ayinla Omowura lost his teeming fans to Barrister who was an upcoming musician then.
Nevertheless, the success of the aforementioned was traced to the Apala and Sakara legends like Alhaji Haruna Ishola, Yussuf Olatunji, Saka laigbade, Abibu Oluwa etc. These were the pioneers of the Yoruba indigenous music whose feat were recognized home and abroad.
Although, Barrister had the history of being a godson to Chief Ebenezer Obey. He played a vital role in his music career as a young man growing up in the seventhies. King Sunny Ade- a rival to Ebenezer Obey must have learnt a lot from Fela Anikulapo Kuti who tutored KSA on the inclusion of little English in his music to attract more European fans during his musical tours. The late Afrobeat king joined the kola lobitos while KSA was under the apprenticeship of Moses Olaiya aka Baba Sala. According to Barrister,he was the second musician to release album after KSA in the same record label under the watch of Abioro records, while Ebenezer Obey pitched tent with Sony records.
Dr Orlando Owo stepped into music radically with his ondo ascent that was generally accepted till today even within the academic sector of the kegites group ( palm wine group)
Fatai rolling dollars, Bobby Benson, Victor Olaiya,Ik Dairo,Adeolu Akinsanya &Adekunle were all contemporaries. Later we had Dele Abiodun, Empror Peter etc
The younger generation musicians down-the-line from Kwam 1 to sir Shina Peters who paired with Segun Adewale before releasing his popular album titled Ace.
Prior to this era, the late Sunny Okonsun and Victor Uwaifo, Christy Essien Igbokwe with her popular lyrics ” Omo mi soun rere were fantastic……
Queen Salawa Abeni- the Waka Queen came to limelight after the early retirement of Batuli Alake whose style of Waka suddenly gone into oblivion due to the modernisation prowess of Salawa Abeni.
During the stardom of Sir Shina Peters, musicians like Dayo kujore, Dele Fajemiroku, nosedive into music space with their kind of afrojuju styles.They all had short career span except Sir Shina Peters.
The Fuji music scene has numerous practitioners that cannot be mention here for a known reason. Adewale Ayuba- the bonsue Fuji master remix an album to protest bringing to book the killers of slain Journalist- Dele Giwa.This album brought Ayuba to prominence. Abas Obesere and his African Fuji Micheal Jackson, heat the market with his asakasa style for almost a decade. The duo became the ambassadors of Benson & hedges and star trek respectful. Alabi pasuma and Adewale Ayuba- were the first to do collabo with the hip hop musicians.This represents the beginning and fusion of Fuji and hip hop as prophecized by the creator himself- Sikiru Ayinde Barrister.
Lagbaja metamorphosed like the masked man he is by taking a lyrics from Kwam 1 “Ore mi show colour e in kokonbilo”
Tony Tetula’s Tinubu you don hit my car was recaptured from KSA songs of ” You don hit my car”
Sunny Nneji-“Oruka ti dowo na” became a socialites album for all weddings across the board irrespective of class, ethnic or tribe. This was equally a vibe from KSA old lyrics.
The Collaboration between KSA and Onyeka Onwenu ” If you love me you go wait for me”was a huge success.
Gradually, the like of Olamide Badoo borrowed a leaf from Kwam1 in “Abulesowo”Later wande Cole, Terry G etc.break the camel shell.
Tuface Idibia and Dbanj came to prominence with their bestselling album. They both featured at the Opening ceremony of All African games. To be continued…
