Nigerian singer Adekunle Temitope, known as Small Doctor, has expressed concern over the current state of popular Yoruba music genre, fuji.
The singer claimed that fuji music is “dying” and called for urgent actions to address the situation.
He stated that after the meteoric rise of Remi Aluko and his contemporaries in the early 2000s, he hasn’t witnessed the rise of any other fuji musician.
On his X handle, he wrote, “I stand to be corrected.
“I feel Fuji music is dying and something needs to be fixed urgently..
It’s been years since Fuji artists like Remi Aluko made waves in the music scene, around 2001 or 2002. Since then, no Fuji artist has achieved similar widespread recognition. Fuji music originated in the 1960s, evolving from the improvisational wéré music, also known as ajísari, which was traditionally performed to wake Muslims up before dawn during Ramadan. The genre’s name was coined by Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, the pioneer of wéré, who drew inspiration from Japan’s iconic Mount Fuji.
Fuji boasts a rich history and a legacy of talented artists, including K1 De Ultimate, King Saheed Osupa, Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, and Obesere. Moreover, the genre’s influence extends beyond traditional Fuji circles, with popular artists like 9ice, Lord of Ajasa, Olamide, Small Doctor, Asake, Naira Marley, Qdot, and Seyi Vibez incorporating Fuji elements into their music. Despite its cultural significance and artistic contributions, Fuji music seems to be waiting for its next big star to emerge and reclaim its spot in the spotlight.
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