voice to the raging controversy about the origin of fuji
music in this chat with TOFARATI IGE
What is the origin of fuji music ?
Fuji music is the fusion of some genres of music
including were which was usually sung by Muslims
during the Ramadan period . However , it was the late
Barrister that created the brand called fuji because he
fused several genres together and created a unique
sound , calling it fuji.
What are your thoughts on K 1 de Ultimate’s claim
that Barrister wasn ’t the originator of Fuji music ?
During his lifetime, Barrister boldly said it that he is
the creator of fuji and I think the only person that is
qualified to have disagreed with him is Kollington
Ayinla, and since he hasn’ t said that Barrister is not
the originator of fuji music , who amongst us, the
younger generation , has the right to say otherwise ?
The only thing Kollington said was that God should
bless the work of our hands that it is not all about
titles. Even K 1 said so himself in his first album
released in the 80 s that Barrister is the creator of fuji
music. Why is it after the death of Barrister that he
is now saying something different ? It is a pity that
this has to come from someone like K 1. Barrister
picked him from the gutter, washed him clean and
gave him opportunities . Barrister trained him and
what other fuji acts did not enjoy from Barrister , K 1
got . Barrister never took offence with K 1 even in
instances where he should have; rather he handled
issues diplomatically because he didn’ t want to be
seen as an elder who was envious of a younger one .
Wasiu Ayinde should go and think deeply. Why is it
that he always rubbishes everybody who appreciates
him ? That is why I can never associate with him
because he always messes people up . Anybody that
God wants to keep away from disgrace wouldn’ t go
near K 1. When I said I didn’ t want to get close to
him , people thought I was a bad person but now they
know better. In spite of how Malaika used to respect
K 1, he eventually abused him with a whole album .
Even though Saheed Osupa acknowledged K 1 in the
US , and people thought they had settled their
differences , Saheed later abused him again because
K 1 tried to mess him up . When Barrister proclaimed
Saheed Osupa as the king of music , K 1 was annoyed
that why should anyone else be named king instead
of him . Meanwhile , all these titles are just to
appreciate ourselves. There is no musician that
wouldn’ t call himself the best so it ’ s all normal. Why
is it that K 1 is always having issues with people? He
is envious of the people behind him , he is jealous of
the people ahead of him and now, he is fighting with
the dead . Why hasn’ t anyone come out to abuse me ?
It is because I always give people their due respect
and I ’ m constantly working to improve myself.
K 1’ s name was initially Wasiu Ishola but he adopted
the name Wasiu Ayinde Barrister to promote himself
as a protégé of Barrister . K 1 is just an ungrateful and
unappreciative person . When Barrister was alive, K 1
used to treat him like a god . But those of us who
know how to interpret music know that K 1 used to
abuse Barrister stylishly with his songs. When he
was alive, I once told Barrister not to tolerate
nonsense from K 1 but he said he didn’ t want it to
seem like he was envious of his protégé . But can you
see the result now? Even though I ’ m not up to
Barrister ’ s level , I am sure that K 1 can never
disrespect me . Barrister was supposed to perform at
the inauguration ceremony of Oba Rilwan Akiolu
years ago but because of K 1’ s closeness to Tinubu ,
he managed to corner the deal for himself. Even
then , Barrister wasn ’ t offended .
Now , K 1 is saying that all those who have been
disagreeing with him on his latest claim are
uninformed . So , is he the only wise person ? He feels
he has gotten to a height where no one else has
gotten to. Meanwhile , all what he has is nothing in
the sight of God. He is only known among the
Yoruba people, not the Igbos or foreigners.
What are you doing to ensure the growth of fuji ?
In the recent past , there was nothing like hip hop in
Nigeria , it was all about fuji . In those days , what was
known about hip hop in Nigeria were songs by
American singers such as Usher, Puff Daddy , Jay Z ,
among others. But now, Nigerian hip hop has taken
over the whole place and I think it is a plus for us
because there are elements of fuji in most of these
songs . People who sing strictly fuji music employ
their traditional language in their songs. As for me ,
I ’ m a Yoruba man from Ibadan and there ’ s no way I
would sing without using my native language . And
because fuji music is done in a local language , it can
never go extinct as long as the language still exists .
Hip hop is only using its time .
What have you done to preserve Barrister ’s
legacy ?
There is no time that I don’ t sing about Barrister . I
have even recorded a whole album for him . What I
am doing right now is also part of the efforts at
keeping his memory alive because we have to let
people know the important role he played in Fuji
creation .
What do you think the future holds for fuji music ?
Fuji music can never fade away . Right now, fuji is
used to sing hip hop so you can say it ’ s in another
phase now.
Do you agree that it is no longer as popular as
before?
It ’ s not that it ’ s no longer as popular , everything in
life is about time and that ’ s what I want you to
understand . That’ s why people like us are playing
along so we would be relevant and fuji music
wouldn’ t die . Besides, hip hop artistes cannot be
invited to perform with bands at weddings or other
social occasions. They would only come there to
mime about two songs of theirs. It is usually fuji
artistes that perform with bands and praise -sing
people.
What has your experience been as a hip hop
singer?
I have gained more fans . My fuji fans still remain
and I also have hip hop fans . Fuji and hip hop
artistes need one another . Some people listen only to
hip hop but when a hip hop artiste features a fuji
singer , they get to learn more about the genre , and
vice versa.
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