Fuji is a type of Yoruba popular music that started in Nigeria in the 1960s. It came from a freeform style of music called wéré, also known as ajísari, which means "waking up for sari" and was played to wake up Muslims before sunrise during the holy month of Ramadan. The music was named after Mount Fuji, a tall mountain in Japan, by Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, who is considered the founder of Fuji. Fuji music has fast-paced beats, varied Yoruba rhythms, and vocal styles where singers take turns responding to each other. Its influence can be heard in modern music, especially in Nigerian hip hop, where its melodies and beats are often used. In February 2024, professor and filmmaker Saheed Aderinto released the first episode of a documentary called The Fuji Documentary, titled Mr. Fuji: Barry Wonder, which tells the story of Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, the creator of Fuji music.

Etymology

Sikiru Ololade Ayinde Balogun Barrister helped make wéré music very popular during the 1950s and 1960s. Later, he created a new type of music and named it "fuji." He explained that he chose the name after seeing a poster at an airport that advertised Mount Fuji, which is the tallest mountain in Japan. The word "fújì" should not be confused with the Yorùbá words "fúja" (to run away) or "fáájì" (fun or relaxation).

History

Wéré music is a type of Yorùbá music influenced by Islamic traditions. It was created by Muslim musicians in southwestern Nigeria to encourage Muslims to stay awake during Ramadan fasting.

In the 1950s, during the end of colonial rule, several musicians, including Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, General Ayinla Kollington, Tunde King, Ayinla Omowura, and others, helped create and spread wéré music. From the 1950s to the 1960s, many wéré music groups formed in Muslim communities in cities like Ibadan, Lagos, and Ìlọrin. These early musicians were inspired by Yoruba sákárà music, which uses the sákárà drum, but not the violin-like goje instrument. Notable wéré performers in Lagos during the early years of independence included Sikiru Omo Abiba, Ajadi Ganiyu, and others.

As wéré music evolved, some musicians added mouth organs (harmonicas) during breaks in their songs. Sikiru Ayinde Barrister was the lead singer and composer of the popular wéré group Jibowu Barrister, led by Alhaji Jibowu Barrister. During the 1960s, Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, Kollington Ayinla, and other young wéré groups performed widely in Lagos and nearby areas.

The shift from wéré music to fuji music marked a major change in Yoruba music. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, a pioneer of fuji music, combined elements of wéré music with influences from apala, juju, and afrobeat. This blending of traditional and modern styles created fuji music. Musicians who helped develop wéré music adapted their styles to support the growth of fuji music, connecting traditional Yoruba sounds with new audiences.

In one of Barrister’s early albums, he explained that fuji music mixes sákárà, apala, juju, aró, afrobeat, gudugudu, and parts of highlife. He introduced fuji music to international audiences, touring in Europe, especially England, and later in the United States during the 1980s.

Between 1970 and the 1980s, other fuji musicians included Fatai Adio, Saura Alhaji, Student Fuji, Rahimi Ayinde (Bokote), and others. While men dominated fuji music, reflecting its roots in wéré, women developed Islamic and wákà fuji. Islamic is a term used for women’s music in Ìlọrin, while wákà is a broader term for Muslim women’s music across Yoruba regions. It began in the late 1950s, performed by women for Islamic events like weddings and pilgrim celebrations. By the 1980s, Muslim women led their own fuji bands. Though Islamic music focused more on Muslim values, it shared similarities with traditional fuji.

In the early 1970s, Alhaji Kolington Ayinla (Baba Alatika) became a major fuji performer and a rival to Sikiru Ayinde Barrister. Wasiu Ayinde Marshall (K1 De Ultimate), who studied under Barrister, gained fame in the late 1980s and 1990s with Talazo Fuji. Adewale Ayuba introduced Bonsue Fuji, which became popular. Abass Akande Obesere added slang to his songs, helping fuji evolve.

From the 2000s onward, fuji music continued to grow, with artists like Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, King Saheed Osupa, Shanko Rasheed, Remi Aluko (Igwe1 Fuji), and others. While many fuji songs remained in Yorùbá, the genre increasingly used English and Nigerian Pidgin. Prominent modern fuji musicians in the 2000s included Rasheed Ayinde Adekunle Merenge, Abass Akande Obesere (PK 1), Sir Shina Akanni, Alhaji Isiaka Inyanda Sawaba, Adewale Ayuba, Wasiu Alabi Pasuma (Oganla 1), King Dr. Saheed Osupa (His Majesty), Late Sunny T Adesokan (Omo Ina ton ko fújì), Alayeluwa Sulaimon Alao Adekunle Malaika (KS1, Original), Shefiu Adekunle Alao (Omo Oko), Shanko Rasheed, Sule Adio (Atawéwé), Tajudeen Alabi Istijabah (Oju Kwara), Wasiu Ajani (Mr. Pure Water), Taiye Currency, Alhaji Komi Jackson, Remi Aluko (Igwe fújì), Muri Alabi Thunder, Karube Aloma, Oyama Azeez (Arabesa, Alapatinrin, The Modern Real Fuji Creator), Wasiu Container, Konkolo Wally G, Murphy Adisa Sabaika (Madiba 2), Abiodun Ike Minister (Aremo Alayeluwa), Tunde Ileiru, Karubey Shimiu, Adeolu Akanni (Paso Egba), Shamu Nokia (Quintessential), Sunny Melody, Olusegun Ologo, Segun Michael, Bola Abimbola, Cripsymixtee, Global T, Muri Ikoko, and others.

Characteristics

Fújì music is known for using a variety of traditional Yoruba percussion instruments and fast, energetic beats. The music includes complicated rhythms made by instruments such as the dùndún and gbedu, which create unique and detailed patterns. Fújì also uses a call-and-response singing style, where the lead singer sings a line, and other singers reply, forming a back-and-forth musical conversation. The combination of complex rhythms, quick tempo, and interactive singing defines fújì music.

Modern fújì musical styles

Classical fuji is a music style that combines American hip hop with fuji. This blend started in Nigeria during the 1990s and early 2000s. King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal created the name "classical fuji" and was important in its growth. Other well-known artists in this genre include Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, Saheed Osupa, Remi Aluko, and others.

Street pop, also called street hop, is a Nigerian music style that uses rap and singing in new ways. It developed from Nigerian hip hop, street music, popular songs, Western music, and Nigerian pop. This genre appeared in the 21st century and uses parts of fuji music. Some versions of this genre include neo fuji, fujipiano, and fuji-fusion. These styles are associated with artists such as 9ice, Lord of Ajasa, Olamide, Asake, King Saheed Osupa, Remi Aluko, Naira Marley, Qdot, and Seyi Vibez.