Biography of the Fuji Maestro Adewale Ayuba (Part 1)

Dr. Adewale Ayuba, the Bonsue Fuji King:

Adewale Ayuba, born on May 6, 1966, in Ikenne Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria, is a prominent Nigerian Fuji musician. Known by various names including Ayuba, Mr. Johnson, and the Bonsue Fuji Maestro, he began his musical journey at a young age. By eight, Ayuba was already performing at local musical competitions and fiestas in his hometown.

Early Life and Career Beginnings:

Ayuba's passion for music led him to pursue it as a career after completing his secondary education at Remo Secondary School in Sagamu, Ogun State. Despite gaining admission to study Architecture at Ogun State Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Ayuba chose to focus on his burgeoning music career. At 17, he released his first album, *Ibere* (Beginning), which quickly established him as a rising star in the Fuji music scene.

Rise to Prominence:

In early 1990, Ayuba signed with Sony Music (Nigeria) to record an album. The result, *Bubble*, released in 1991, catapulted him to international fame. *Bubble* was the first Fuji music album to gain widespread recognition, topping music charts for six consecutive months and winning several awards at the Nigerian Music Awards (NMA), including Artiste of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Fuji Album of the Year.

Ayuba's innovative approach, characterized by high-tech instrumentation and his distinctive voice, revolutionized Fuji music and garnered appreciation from Nigeria's elite, who had previously overlooked the genre.

Continued Success and International Tours:

Following the success of *Bubble*, Ayuba released another hit album, *Mr. Johnson Play For Me*, in 1992 under Sony Music Nigeria. In 1993, he signed with Premier Music (Nigeria) and embarked on his first West African tour, performing across several countries. The success of this tour led to his first U.S. tour the same year, where he performed in over ten states and at the New Orleans Jazz Festival.

His performance at the Jazz Festival was particularly well-received, earning him the Key to the City of Providence, Rhode Island, from the mayor. Ayuba's Los Angeles debut also received acclaim, with C.C. Smith of Los Angeles Weekly Magazine praising his compelling and powerful sound.

Further Achievements:

After returning from his tours in 1993, Ayuba released another successful album, *Buggle D*, under Premier Music Nigeria. This album received even more recognition than *Bubble*, winning multiple awards at the Fame Music Awards and topping music charts for several months.

In 1994, Ayuba sought to "internationalize Fuji Music" and embarked on tours in the UK and the US. He recorded in the US in 1995 and performed at various international concerts, including the 1996 Summer State Concerts in New York, the African Mondo Concerts of 1996 and 1997, the New Orleans Jazz Festival of 1997, the International Festival in Houston, Texas, and the Black Entertainment Television Jazz USA Concert. In 1996, he released *Fuji Time* under the US-based Q-disc Record Company and in 1997, he released *Fuji Dub* on the Agogo Music Label in London.

Ayuba's contributions to Fuji music have left an indelible mark, transforming and popularizing the genre both in Nigeria and internationally.

Thank you, our highly esteemed fans

ALL FUJI STARS