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Nigerian music superstar Adekunle Gold has opened up about a career-defining moment: meeting Fuji music legend Adewale Ayuba.
The encounter, he revealed in an interview hosted on Apple Music, was deeply meaningful and served as a “full circle” experience for the singer.
Adekunle Gold, widely known for hits like Orente and Something Different, described growing up surrounded by Ayuba’s music. “Growing up I used to hear Ayuba’s voice everywhere—parties, radio stations, the streets. To sit with him now and talk about Fuji, our culture, and its future? That’s full circle for me,” Gold said. He also shared a clip of their conversation on Instagram, allowing fans a glimpse into the historic meeting.
The discussion centered on the origins, evolution, and global potential of Fuji music, a genre rooted in Yoruba culture and known for its rhythmic percussion and energetic performances. During the interview, Gold asked Ayuba what Fuji meant to him personally. Ayuba’s answer reflected his lifelong dedication to the genre and his vision for its international recognition.
“I was born into Fuji. Fuji is me and I am Fuji. From day one of my life, I have been praying to do what Bob Marley did with Reggae music—to internationalize Fuji, to take it to the disco hall, and that’s why I did a collabo with Jazzman Olofin,” Ayuba explained. He further described Fuji as “a complete music” that embodies love, dance, and energy, emphasizing its potential to resonate beyond Nigeria’s borders.
Ayuba, who has been a defining figure in Fuji for decades, expressed admiration for younger artists who incorporate elements of Fuji into contemporary sounds. He specifically praised Adekunle Gold for experimenting with the genre and pushing its boundaries. “What I’m looking for is to collabo with the likes of Adekunle Gold, Tiwa Savage… I’m planning to make Fuji more popular,” the veteran musician revealed.
The conversation highlighted the convergence of generations within Nigerian music. Fans and industry observers have widely celebrated the meeting as a symbolic passing of the torch, with Gold representing the new wave of artists blending Afropop, highlife, and traditional sounds, and Ayuba embodying the enduring legacy of Fuji music. Their dialogue underscored how contemporary Nigerian musicians are increasingly drawing inspiration from traditional genres, ensuring that the country’s rich musical heritage remains relevant on the global stage.
For Adekunle Gold, the experience has been both inspirational and motivational. Meeting a musical hero whose work shaped the soundscape of his youth allowed him to reflect on his own journey and the responsibility of carrying Nigerian music to wider audiences. In sharing the encounter on social media, Gold connected with fans in real-time, further emphasizing the significance of bridging the gap between the old and new generations of Nigerian musicians.
Ultimately, the meeting between Adekunle Gold and Adewale Ayuba is more than a celebrity encounter—it is a celebration of culture, heritage, and artistic collaboration. With both artists expressing mutual admiration and a desire to work together, fans are eagerly anticipating the possibility of a project that marries Fuji’s rhythmic intensity with modern Afropop sensibilities, creating a sound that honors the past while looking firmly to the future.
Watch him speak below…
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