By DAPO FALADE
Veteran Juju musician, Uncle Toye Ajagun, has hit hard at K1 de Ultimate, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal and others like him who have infused guitars into Fuji Music, saying that they have deviated from the standards.
He said the introduction of string instruments by these fuji musicians is a total departure from the standard laid down by the creator of the genre of music, the late Sikiru Ayinde Barrister.
Ajagun of the ‘Magbe Magbe’ fame said this while featuring on a weekly radio show, Parrot Xtra Hour on Radio’ anchored by Olayinka Agboola and broadcast live on the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State’s Oluyole 98.5 FM, Ibadan, on Monday evening.
Toye Ajagun also revealed that Juju Music in Nigeria is not dead, saying it is still potent and meaningful as it was in the past decades, adding that the advent of Fuji Music has not overshadowed Juju Music in the country.
“It is a mistake and wrong assumption if we say Fuji has swallowed Juju Music. Wasiu Ayinde Marshall knows that Juju Music in Nigeria is not dead. He still gives us our due respect.
“I listened to one of his recently released albums where he praised me, King Sunny Ade, Idowu Animashaun, Ebenezer Obey and others,” he said.
The Egba-born musician also revealed that his own style of music is aimed at promoting peace and love among his followers and listeners in the country, adding: “I use my music to promote peace. I do not use it to cause acrimony among people.”
He said the album he released in 1976 was targeted at restoring the sour relationship between two top Juju musicians of that time, Admiral Dele Abiodun and Emperor Pick Peter.
The ‘Magbe Magbe’ creator also revealed that he got into the music industry through the efforts of the Apola King, Idowu Animashaun, who is now a pastor in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
“I saw him carrying a guitar round his neck one day and I approached him that I was interested and he took me to Ogunmokun, Mushin, Lagos where the training was being held.
“It was from there that I started to play Konga drum and from there my skills were sharpened on how to play and sing till today,’’ he said.
The veteran musician also praised iconic singer, Dr Yinka Ayefele, who was once his ‘bandboy’ saying: “He is a well-trained son who has distinguished himself in his chosen career. I am happy for him. He is a good son to me and he is paying his dues and he has never disappointed me.
“You see, in those days, he used to be a very lean young man. In fact, I used to beg him not to join others to carry our speakers. I never knew he could grow to put on weight,” Ajagun added humorously.
On his embarrassing moment in the industry, he said: “I am always embarrassed when we arrive late at shows due to delays caused by break-down of our vehicles. Even with that, we always used to make it up for our clients once we settled down to work.”
The Egba, Ogun State-born musician also discussed his happiest moment saying it was the day he bought his first official vehicle, a civilian bus in 1976.
He, however, charged the present-day musicians and youths to work and pray hard and not to allow frivolities to deprive them of their glorious future.
He told them not to allow current enjoyment to deprive them of the great things waiting ahead of them in the future.
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