History of Juju, Fuji and AfroPop Music in Nigeria

Summary of Juju Music History

Palm-wine and highlife which spread in the 1920s from neighboring African country such as ghana was the foundation of Juju music in Nigeria.Tunde King (1910-1980s) was credited as the founder of JuJu music from olowogbowo area of Lagos in 1920s. His music influenced later juju music artistes such as Ojoge Daniel (around 1920s), Ayinde Bakare (1935), Tunde Nighingale (formed his band in 1944) and I.K Dairo, Adeolu Akinsanya (Baba Eto, more of highlife) . Followed by Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey and King Sunny Ade who introduced electric guitars in the 1960s followed by the emergent of 1970s juju music stars such as General Prince Adekunle, in 1980's Sir Shina Peters (Afro Juju) and Segun Adewale (Yo-Pop), Dele Taiwo (Funky Juju) were playing modern forms of juju music of 90's led to the arrival of Afro-pop. Yinka Ayefele: Juju/Gospel music is dominating the scene presently as well as other young juju musician. 

Ayinde Bakare (1912-1972) established mainstream style of juju music in Nigeria with his first use of amplified guitar in 1949. He's extremely popular as Mr JuJu (Ogun & Oyo especially), toured Britain in 1957.

Tunde Nightingale (1922 - 1981), popularized the slang " So wambe" (is it there), Lagos socialite sent him on a tour abroad in the 1960s. 

I.K Dairo (1930-1996) after performing with various band here and there since 1942, he emerged at the end of 1950s towards Nigerian Independence and his popularity grown after performed at Nigerian Independence celebration in Ibadan. IK Dairo pursed traditional, ethnic style of juju music. He release a major hit in 1962 called Salome.
"Tunde Nightingale and IK Dairo introduced more Westernised pop influences to the genre. In 1963, IK Dairo became the only African musician ever honoured by receiving membership of the Order of the British Empire, an Order of Chivalry in the United Kingdom." [3]

Ebenezer Obey (born 1942 in Abeokuta), relocated to Lagos and started music career in the 1950s, under the protection of highlife musician, Fatai Rolling Dollar, he formed his own band in 1964. Obey music band is very well recognized among rich Nigerian socialites and high profile business tycoons. Chief Ebenezer Obey music is very well respected in Nigeria with huge number of evergreen records.

King Sunny Ade (born 1946) is a multi-instrumentalist, pioneer of modern Juju music with first introduction of pedal steel guitar (as used in country music), recognized as one of the world music legend and world most influential musicians of all time. King Sunny Ade is the face of Nigeria Juju music. King Sunny Ade started his music career with Highlife Muscian Moses Olaiya A.K.A Baba sala in Lagos. He left and formed his own band in 1967. His unique for his mastery of guitar and dance step, he toured Europe and America and gained worldwide recognition as king of Juju. His 1983 Syncro System hit was nominated for Grammy in the ethnic music category.
In the 60's Commander Ebenezer Obey and King Sunny Ade arrived the scene to change how juju is played. They both increased their bands to 30 and over, a long way from Dairo that increased the original 4 performers ensemble to 10. During this period, jùjú songs changed from short pop songs to long tracks, often over 20 minutes in length. By the end of the 1980s/early 90s, jùjú had lost out to other styles, like afro juju, Yo-Pop, gospel and reggae.

Rivalry rumoured:

Ayinde Bakara died in unexplained circumstances in 1972.

Tunde Nightingale vs IK Dairo (Owambe vs Non-Owambe fans/follower)
some followers would classfy IK Dairo as traditional or local.

King Sunny Ade vs Chief Ebenezer Obey

Progress: OLEKU Concert (27th May 2012)

Due to underlying rivalry between Ebenezer Obey and Sunny Ade, its been about 35 years since the two legends shared a stage until the OLEKU concert in Lagos in 2012.

By early to mid 1970s three of the biggest names in Nigerian music history were at their peak; Fela Kuti, Ebenezer Obey and King Sunny Ade. They became so legendary above the rest.

Summary Of Fuji Music History

Fuji music is a juju music without guitar originated from were/ajisari music during Muslim Ramadan period, were/ajisari music was made popular by late Alhaji Dauda Epo Akara (Awurebe band).

Fuji music is a modern were music created by Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister and he named his modern style of were music Fuji

Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey was his mentor and he called him boss and he regarded Sunny Ade as his friend who was just a year older than him but his senior in the music industry. Its rumored that King Sunny Ade was closer to General Kollington Ayinla at a later stage when rivalry began between Ebenezer Obey and Sunny Ade, Kollington Ayinla is the second emergent Fuji musician in Nigeria after Dr Sikiru Ayinde Barrister who was also his childhood friend.

Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde Barrister/Marshall emerged with a new form of modern Fuji and a hit song Talazo Fuji, Talazo 84. after he has served under Dr Sikiru Ayinde Barrister for 15 years. By the end of the 1990s, his brand of Fuji became one of the most popular modern Fuji music. Also in the early 1990s Adewale Ayuba (Bonsue Fuji) is a type of fuji music with class vibe popular among youth, followed by Abass Akande Obesere (Omo rapala), introduced "Asakasa" vibe into the Fuji scene. (Obesere became popular and highly competitive to people above and below him), it seems like Fuji music is taking over juju music generally, Fuji is now the main hook lines of Nigerian current afrobeat/afro-hiphop music. Apala emerged in 1930s (Muslim, Ramadan Music) became popular in the 1960 mainly by Haruna Ishola and Ayinla Omowura. Fuji music gradually faded out this genre of music
Other popular Fuji Musician; Shina Akanni, Rasheed Ayinde, Wasiu Alabi,(Pasuma Wonder); Sulaimon Alao Adekunle Malaika(KSA), King Dr Saheed Osupa, Shefiu Adekunle Alao (Omo Oko), Sule Adio (Atawéwé), Wasiu Ajani, (Mr. Pure Water), kanayo, Taiye Currency, Alhaji Komi Jackson, Tajudeen Alabi (Istijabah), Remi Aluko(Igwe fuji), Muri Alabi Thunder, Karube Aloma, Karubey Shimiu, Adeolu Akanni (Paso Egba), Shamu Nokia, Sunny Melody, Olusegun Ologo and Segun Michael and younger generations such as Shanko Rasheed, Wasiu Container, Konkolo Wally G, Global T, Muri Ikoko etc.
Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, Sule Alao Malaika and King Saheed Osupa are dominating till present.

Rivalry rumoured:

• Dr Sikiru Ayinde Barrister vs General Kollington Ayinla 
• King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall vs Abass Akande Obesere
• Wasiu Alabi Pasuma vs King Saheed Osupa
• Fuji Kingship Issue: King Wasiu Ayinde vs King Saheed Osupa Vs Alabi Pasuma
• Ayinde Wasiu claim King of fuji while Dr Sikiru Ayinde Barrister was still alive and Kollington Ayinla alive and well

Credit: Dr Sikiru Ayinde Barrister

• Was born in 1948 and started singing were/ajisari music since 1953 (aged 5)
• Created Fuji music genre and named it Fuji (A combination of all popular music genre)
• First album in 1966 in Lagos
• Awarded Dr of Fuji in USA after the hit album titled Aiye (1979) in which he sang about disneyland Orlando, Florida that lead to so many Nigerians travelling to Disney land Florida for an holiday.
• Received national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (MFR)

Birth of Afropop & AfroHiphop

Ancient palm-wine music Pioneered by TUNDE KING gave birth to juju, and from juju to afro juju and from afro juju to afropop which is pretty much afro hip-hop of today.
Following World War II, from 1950's Nigerian music started to take on new instruments and techniques, including electric instruments imported from the United States and Europe. The first hip-hop record to achieve widespread popularity in Nigeria was “Rapper’s Delight” by The Sugarhill Gang, in 1979. Foreign Old Skool Jam was very huge in Nigeria, the foreign influences led to the rises of homegrown soul/funk artistes, bob Marley inspired reggae artistes such as Tera Kota (Gboyega Femi, 1984), Michael Jackson inspired soul/funk artistes such as Bola Abimbola (Silifa Bamijo, 1987), Kris Okotie, Dizzy K Falola, Onyeka Nwenu, Christy Essien Igbokwe, Majek Fashek, Ronnie, Alex O, Alex Zitto, Daniel Wilson, Blacky, Mike Okri, Chris Mba, Felix Liberty etc. supported by radio station and emergent of DJ's. foreign Old School Hiphop R&B was big in the 80s and 90s and began to fade out in the late 90's as homegrown afrohiphop artistes began to rise in the light of plantashun boyz, remedies, Lt Shotgun, tripple B, lagbaja, alariwo etc. By the 80s, leading Nigerian reggae stars included, The Mandators, Ras Kimono and Majek Fashek. This style has influenced the likes of Duncan Mighty, Daddy Showkey, Timaya, Burna Boy, Patoranking and Cynthia Morgan

Reference:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuji_music
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juju_music
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/10/55th-independence-day-special-battles-of-music-genres-in-nigeria-since-1960/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Nigeria
http://www.nigeriafilms.com/news/11530/29/music-stars-of-yesteryears-2-where-are-they-now.html