The Fuji musician who was born in 1953 in
Ibadan, Oyo State, had an interview with the Vanguard newspaper where he
revealed that he started music alongside the late Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde
Barrister in 1965, adding that it was in the late 1970s he refined his own
brand of music by adding bata drums and changed his band’s name to Fuji (1978
to be precise).
“Starting off was very early for me”, he says. “I started with’ weere’ music in 1965 at 10”.
Group of amateurs who had talent in music usually moved from
house to house to perform especially during Ramadan. They were the Weere
musicians. Some of them eventually became stars. It was a distinguished
performance that saw him winning an award even as a Weere musician. And that
meant a visit to the State House Marina to receive the award. It was a big
achievement to visit the State House in those days. It meant you were special.
His was clearly a case of talent not fully harnessed in the beginning. But that
award marked the beginning of the good things that were to follow, the report
states. “I was at the State House in Marina, Lagos to receive a trophy and a
certificate of merit and it felt great.”
He later joined the Nigerian Army where he met Barrister and
it was Barrister who encouraged him to take his music career seriously. “My
late friend, Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister encouraged me to take my musical
career to the next level. We were soldiers and Barrister would come all the way
to Abeokuta, Ogun State to pressure me. He convinced me. He believed we needed
to quit and go back to music,” he said emotionally as he remembered his
age-long friend.
Alhaji Kollington, as he is popularly called says his only
regret in life is not having a full education up to the university. In that
vein, he encouraged every youth to make the best of their education
opportunities as all his own children are educated and some have even ventured
into music. “I regret that I didn’t have university education.”
About what the
future holds for Fuji music, the Icon said, “Fuji can never die in and outside Nigeria. The so-called hip
pop artistes all tapped from Fuji music to make what we have today. Just of
recent, Pasuma played hip-pop in an album and he has also collaborated with
many hip-hop artists. Our flag is flying. Fuji started during Ramadan period
and has come to stay.”
So, who would Baba want to collaborate with? He responded with a
wry smile: ‘’My son, Big Sheff is first
on the list.” He however added, “all are welcome.”
Last line
As a word of encouragement for upcoming
artistes: “Many young artistes should understand that being focused and
dedicated are the only key to success. They should also be careful with women.”
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