Fuji fusion is a powerful music genre that has been around for some time now and it keeps getting stronger day by day. This trending music type is partly adapted from the original Fuji music which dates back to about five decades ago and which is pioneered by the likes of Alhaji (Dr) Sikiru Ayinde Barrister and Kolington Ayinla. This Nigerian music genre has a massive impact on the style of artistes in Nigeria ‘s music space, today.
What is Fuji Fusion, When Was it Created and Who Are the Upholders?
Fuji Fusion is a sub-genre of original Fuji music and it is a blend of the latter with Nigerian pop, rap or Hip-hop or any other Nigerian-generated genre different from the ones already mentioned. It may surprise you this music genre was created a long time ago and it arguably started in the hot era of Queen Salawa Abeni. In the late 80s she introduced to us “Waka” which fuses her own style with already existing ones dominantly Fuji and partly Apala. She did this in the early 90s with the release of records as “Gentle Lady” and “Mo Tun De”. After the heat of these songs cooled down and became paused, Shanko Rasheed brought it back in the early 2000s with “My Name”.
Since then Fuji Fusion has constantly hanged around. I remember how Jazzman Olofin few years later invited Fuji legend Adewale Ayuba on “Raise the Roof”- a club/ party banger that still plays in our clubs and parties as we speak. Around 2014 Olamide and Dammy Krane sampled two different songs honour of their senior colleague and “father”, Fuji Music icon, Kwam 1 also known as K1 De Ultimate with “Omo Anifowose” and “Amin” respectively. I am sure you know these tunes and how big they were. Small Doctor is also one of the artistes who have vigorously supported the “new school genre’ since it was birthed. The list is endless but don’t let us forget Destiny Boy and his contributions too.
Barely two weeks ago, top Nigerian vocalist Peruzzi, came through with his much-awaited album, “Sabali” and I was not surprised to come across “Apala Drill” on the tracklist of the fresh music compilation. This is one Fuji Fusion bang that has, since release, been buzzing everywhere; it buzzes at our parties, on our aiwaves and on the streets. Then YBNL Nation’s talisman and now globally acknowledged musician, Asake at a point in his career also diversified and gave us a new vibe with “Fuji Vibe”- a song that broke all hell loose. On top of that, Adekunle Gold lately sampled Yinka Ayefele’s “Many Many People” with “Many People” off his latest studio album and which is currently doing fantastically well.
How Far Can Fuji Fusion Go?
It is a truism the influence of Fuji music on today’s Nigerian music scene especially on Afrobeats, is overpowering. This is responsible for the preponderance of Fuji-infused song artistes we have in the industry at the moment. Even the pioneers are ready to go beyond and above to make it a globally accepted genre. King Ayuba, in a recent online interview chat with “AG Baby”, acknowledged the fast growth of the relatively new blend:
“My vision for the growth of Fuji-themed sounds prompted me to work with Jazzman Olofin then. Now, I would love to work with Tiwa Savage and co. As Bob Marley did with Reggae music, as he took it from Jamaica to America and beyond, I would love Nigerian artistes to do same with Fuji Fusion “.
Today, Fuji Fusion stands in high competition with traditional Nigerian pop and Hip-Hop music. In other words, a touch of traditional Fuji music on Nigerian pop, rap and Hip-hop, Alternative songs and Afrobeats in general is now very common. I can tell you for a fact the greatly melodious Nigerian music sub-genre will keep spreading like wild fire in harmattan and would eventually become a global sound.
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