Popular fuji artiste, Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, has described the relationship between him and late fuji creator, Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, as that of father and son.
Barrister pioneered the transformation of fuji from were music, with the likes of Ayinla Kollington and Wasiu Ayinde joining him to entrench it.
Pasuma, Adewale Ayuba, Osupa Saheed etc. are later disciples.
Although there ae occasional rumbles and rivalry-provoked contentions, Barrister was not only seen as the father of fuji, he continues to reign even in death.
This was evident in how he was mourned and celebrated about a week ago, which was the 10th anniversary of his death.
In an interview with today’s ‘Sunday Punch’, Pasuma notes, “Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister influenced and has continued to influence many fuji musicians, including me. He consolidated the sounds and melodies of ‘were’ music into what we now know as ‘fuji’. The type of influence Barrister had on me and my music was similar to that of a father and son. He will forever be remembered as one of the artistic legends of Africa.”
