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Veteran Fuji musician Love Azeez has passed away at the age of 81, bringing an end to a decades-long journey in Nigerian music that earned him recognition as one of the respected figures in the early growth of Fuji.
The late singer, whose real name was Abdul Azeez Oladeji, reportedly died on Wednesday evening after a brief illness at his residence in Lagos.
News of his passing was confirmed by Adekunle Abiodun, General Secretary of the Fuji Musicians Association of Nigeria, through a statement shared on social media.
Announcing the sad development, Abiodun described Love Azeez as the oldest Fuji musician and paid tribute to the veteran performer’s contributions to the genre.
“So sad that, the oldest FUJI MUSICIAN, ALHAJI LOVE AZEEZ ADIO OLADEJI gave up the ghost this evening after a brief illness @ the ripe age of 81 successful & fulfilled years on the living planet,” he wrote.
He also offered prayers for the late entertainer, asking for comfort for his family, fans, friends and professional colleagues.
Shortly after the announcement, another update confirmed that the late Fuji icon had been laid to rest on Thursday in accordance with Islamic burial traditions.
Love Azeez’s death marks the loss of one of the generation of musicians who helped shape and preserve Fuji music during its formative years.
Long before Fuji became one of Nigeria’s most commercially successful indigenous genres, pioneers like Love Azeez contributed to developing its identity and expanding its audience.
Fuji music itself traces its roots to Lagos in the 1960s, evolving from Islamic-inspired musical traditions and gradually transforming into a broader style that blended Yoruba cultural expression with contemporary performance.
Over time, the genre gained national recognition through the work of notable figures including late Fuji legend Ayinde Barrister, whose influence helped establish Fuji as a dominant force in Nigerian music.
While some artists became more commercially visible, musicians like Love Azeez remained respected within the industry for their consistency, traditional style and contribution to preserving the essence of the genre.
Throughout his career, Love Azeez maintained a presence in the music scene and earned admiration from audiences who valued traditional Yoruba musical storytelling.
His work reflected themes often associated with Fuji music — community, spirituality, celebration and everyday experiences.
Although he belonged to an earlier generation of performers, many colleagues and fans regarded him as a cultural custodian whose role extended beyond entertainment.
His passing has since triggered reactions among Fuji lovers and members of the entertainment industry, many of whom have remembered him as part of the foundation upon which younger generations of Fuji artists continue to build.
For admirers of traditional Nigerian music, his death represents more than the loss of a performer — it marks the departure of one of the voices connected to Fuji’s formative history.
As tributes continue to pour in, many are reflecting on the impact of a man whose career stretched across several decades and whose contributions helped sustain one of Nigeria’s most enduring indigenous music genres.
Love Azeez leaves behind family members, colleagues, fans and a musical legacy that remains part of the story of Fuji music in Nigeria.
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