Exclusive: FANS THROW SURPRISE BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR FUJI MUSIC STAR, SHEFIU ALAO

Having performed for members of the Ogun State Chapter of Music Advertisement Association of Nigeria (MAAN) the previous day, Wednesday, 23rd March, 2016, till late, the next day, Thursday 24th, though his birthday, was apparently a day Abeokuta based Fuji music star, Shefiu Alao Adekunle, hoped to rest. And may be later, to go out to one of his usual fun spots in town to catch his own special kind of fun. After all, he is not in the habit of celebrating his birthdays. However, completely unknown to him, that was not going to be for the day. No resting for most of the day. And no catching of his own kind of fun, much later.

Somewhere in Sango-Ota same day, to be precise, Maridom Hotels around Sango Toll Gate, there was already a serious activity going on. Having already invited Agbara Orin as Shefiu Alao is also called, his Fuji Cardozo Fans’ Club under the leadership of an ardent fan of his known as Yeye Yuppy, had set in motion the process to stage a surprise birthday party for their number one artiste. The hall was already well decorated, two massive cakes with one in the design of different musical instruments and the other in the design of a folded T-Shirt and design of Android phones having pictures of Shefiu Alao in front of the cakes. And wait for this; aside from food and drinks already stocked in the hall, a full goat was hanging on the barbecue outside as afters.

As secretly invited guests, including Saheed Ojubanire Online, were streaming into the hall in their branded T-Shirts bearing their names on the back, they could not but salivate for the kind of refreshments that were awaiting them. And to even see that there was already musical instruments set in the hall, an indication that the birthday boy would still be performing after he must have gotten over the pleasant surprise of the birthday celebration, made the day stood out the more with a lot of promise for those exclusively invited.

Some minutes past four, Baba Oko’s driver, Dira e mu Fasisto, chauffeured him in. The sight of the grey colour Acura Jeep entering the hotel’s gate made all the guests and fans who were already lying in waiting sprung to their feets in unison and started singing happy birthday song as the jeep came to a halt in their midst by the entrance of the hall. And on sighting the likes of Otunba Bolaji Amusan (Mr. Latin) and the rest of the people, all Shefiu Alao could muster was that “Olote ni gbogbo yin!” (you are all conspirators!). He wondered why even the people who are so close to him with whom he sleeps and wake together never leaked the plan of the birthday to him. But yet, he could not hold his happiness that he was held in so high esteem by his people.

And so, without further ado, the party began as Mr. Latin, Kolawole Adejojo (Kasnaty) and Agba Oro inter-changed as the MCs. There was as session some selected people paid tribute to the birthday boy one after the other and some of those called to do that included: Memudu, Azeezat Asewo, Mr. Latin, Alhaji Ahmed Olororo, Super, Alhaji Rasheed Kajihausa, Mushafiu Abolade, Muis Baba Muis, Alhaji Samsondeen Adekunle (Olori Ebi), as well as Shefiu Alao’s two daughters: Rafiat who just came back from Canada two days before and arrived the party with his dad, and Mariam who recently finished her Masters in London and was already working and therefore, joined the party after the close of work. They all had beautiful things to say about the very talented Fuji artiste.

After the cutting of the cake and taking of group pictures, Shefiu Alao’s Public Relations Officer, Gbenga Allinson aka Shoshogirisho opened the floor by singing his popular “Iku lo n meja kako” tune before handing the microphone to a gifted Juju singer, Esther Iwalewa who entertained everyone for a while before the birthday boy himself took over the stage. He performed till late in the evening while his fans had so much to eat and drink.

Some of those who were at the party apart from those already mentioned included: Idowu Adekunle, the CEO of Noble A3 Music, Kayode Allen-Taylor, Issa Alabede (Orin), Emeka, Yeye Kemi Special, Alhaji Alausa, Always, Sasere Dayo, Anago Jelili, Siroko, Alfa Isiaka, Atanda Taofeeq, Segun Yuppy, and many others.

After K1 I Am The Next—Fuji Music Act, Ramoni Akanni Boasts

For avoidance of doubt, it is a statement of fact that there are two widely known sub-genre of Fuji music. One: the regular style of Fuji music as created by late Fuji music legend, Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister which may be called the regular brand of Fuji. And two: the classical brand of Fuji music as later created by Barrister’s protégé who has today become an undisputable emperor in music himself, King Wasiu Ayinde Anifowoshe Marshal better known as K1.

And any good fan of Fuji music knows that classical Fuji has today, a lineage of its own, with a growing number of talented artistes taking after K1 as they bring in their own slight modification to the classical Fuji for an iota of own identity. In that extended family of classical Fuji singers is Oyo State based talented musician, Alhaji Ramoni Akanni, Raymon King (RK1), who, if the classical Fuji music singers’ extended family is put in the African perspective of family setting, is the next to K1, the family head (Olori Ebi) in rank.

This second in command position was publicly pronounced by RK1 at an event in Abeokuta, Ogun State, over the weekend; Saturday, 26th March, to be precise. It was the final burial party of one of the big fans of classical Fuji music who also happens to be a member of a social club in which K1 himself belongs (Royal Pioneer Club), Adisa Oris. The venue was an expansive marquee within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Oke-Mosan. And the gathering had in attendance a large number of the old time fans of K1 the ultimate.

The likes of Honourable Gbenga Obasa, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Alhaji Olanrewaju Akanni Lamex, Alhaji Lukman Fowotade (L & K), Mayor Akinpelu, IOB, Raufu Ni Cotonou and the entire Fadaka Group, Chief Wale Adesina (Wale Saranda), Oba Fatai Akamo, the Olu of Itori, and a host of many others were all listening to the melodious tune of RK1 on the band stand when he made bold to say, “after K1, I am the next,” and they all seemed to nod simultaneously in agreement with him on that claim.

And why would they not? In recent times, the practice among lovers of classical Fuji has seemingly become, “if it is not K1, then it must be RK1.” And RK1 himself never loses sight of the fact that he has not displaced K1 but only being the best substitute to the Arabambi 1 of Fuji music. And that seems to be the reason he always pay homage to K1 in his music as his father, anywhere he performs. And considering Ramoni Akanni’s own deep talent, humility and mastery of other art of music beyond Fuji, such as popular hip hop tunes, Apala, Juju and even, the Talazo Fuji style, which he switches to, to entertain his audience whenever the need arises, he is a strong force to reckon with in music.

Meanwhile, RK1, who picked K1 as his role model sometime in 1984, has so much to show for his years in music as he has performed in all the major continents of the world through America and Europe, he drives choice cars and has 7 palatial houses and still counting in both Ogbomosho, his home town and Ibadan, his alternative place of residence. So, he is even taking after K1 in terms of success.

Just in case, RK1 can be reached through his Personal Assistant (P.A.) on 08164525751 or 08104374439 for your next event.

Synergy Media Partners Cable Tv Channels To Promote IMAN Awards 2016

In order to further give the forth-coming Islamic Music and Associated Nominees (IMAN) Awards 2016 adequate publicity and promotion, the organisers, Synergy Media, have recently partnered with two Cable Television Channels on Star Times and Consat Television Bouquets.

As a part of agreements reached at a meeting between the two media professionals behind Synegy Media, Messrs Ola Mohammed, the Publisher of Islanders International Magazine and consummate freelance journalist with City People Magazine as well as some other celebrity publications, Saheed Ojubanire, and the young and upwardly mobile owner of a Yoruba based Cable Tv Channel, Tiwantiwa on Star Times together with another English based Channel, Smash Tv on Consat, Kunle Abiola Ige (KIA), the channels would come up with concepts to promote the awards massively from the first week of April till 1st of May when the award event is scheduled to hold in Lagos.

Tiwantiwa is on Channel 814 while Smash Tv is on 416 on their respective bouquets. And the organisers of the awards have also revealed that the global reach of the two channels would be painstakingly exploited to promote every nominee as they canvass for the votes of the members of the public in all the 30 categories as soon the nomination list is released by the end of March.

IMAN Awards is a first of its kind in Islamic music industry which is created to project, promote and position the industry for its deserved high pedestal in the entertainment firmament in Nigeria.

Find below the break down of IMAN Awards' categories:

ISLAMIC MUSIC:

(1) Best Male Islamic Artiste of the Year

(This category seeks to determine the male Islamic artiste who others
could not measure up to in terms of his talent exhibition during the
year under review)

(2) Best Female Islamic Artiste of the Year

(This category seeks to determine the female Islamic artiste who
others could not measure up to in terms of her talent exhibition
during the year under review)

(3) Best Islamic Music Album of the Year

(This category seeks to determine the Islamic music album most enjoyed
and reckoned with by fans during the year under review)

(4) Best Islamic Music Video of the Year

(This category seeks to determine the Islamic music video with the
most creative concept and unequalled picture/visual quality during the
year under review)

(5) Best Islamic Music Collaboration of the Year

(This category seeks to determine the most outstanding Islamic music
collaboration in terms of its message and aptness of the way the
message is delivered during the year under review)

(6) Best Islamic Hip Hop Artiste of the Year

(This category seeks to determine the most exceptional Islamic artiste
who sings hip hop during the year under review)

(7) Face of Islamic Music, Male

(This category seeks to determine the male Islamic artiste who is the
most easily recognizable as Islamic artiste before his name is even
mentioned during the year under review)

(8) Face of Islamic Music, Female

(This category seeks to determine the female Islamic artiste who is the
most easily recognizable as Islamic artiste before her name is even
mentioned during the year under review)

(9) Best New Male Islamic Artiste of the Year

(This category seeks to determine the most outstanding male Islamic
artiste who came into musical relevance during the year under review)

(10) Best New Female Islamic Artiste of the Year

(This category seeks to determine the most outstanding female Islamic
artiste who came into musical relevance during the year under review)

(11) Most Fashionable Islamic Artiste, Male

(This category seeks to determine the male Islamic artiste with the most
outstanding dressing style when he appears in the public during the
year under review)

(12) Most Fashionable Islamic Artiste, Female

(This category seeks to the female Islamic artiste with the most
outstanding dressing style when she appears in the public during the
year under review)

(13) Best Producer of Islamic Music Album

(This category seeks to determine the most creative Islamic music
producer in terms of his musical ideas and touch of genius during the
year under review)

(14) Best Islamic Music Video Director

(This category seeks to determine the most creative Islamic music
video director in terms of the way the message of a song is put aptly into
visual display during the year under review)

(15) Best Islamic Music Instrumentalist

(This category seeks to determine the most exceptional Islamic music
instrumentalist whose contribution to the production of an album gave
it edge over others during the year under review)

(16) Best Kid Islamic Artiste

(This category seeks to determine the most exceptional UNDER 15 kid
Islamic artiste during the year under review)

(17) Best Islamic Artiste in Stage Performance

(This category seeks to determine the unmatchable Islamic artiste in
terms of entertaining audiences live on stage during the year under
review)

ASSOCIATED NOMINEES:

(18) Best Featured Non Islamic Artiste in Islamic Album

(This category seeks to determine the most outstanding artiste from
other genre of music featured in Islamic music album during the year
under review)

(19) Best Editor of Islamic Music Video

(This category seeks to determine the most painstaking editor of
Islamic music video during the year under review)

(20) Best Featured Movie Actor in Islamic Video

(This category seeks to determine the most outstanding movie actor
featured in Islamic music video during the year under review)

(21) Best Islamic Music Marketer

(This category seeks to determine the most dedicated marketer to
Islamic music productions during the year under review)

(22) Best Islamic Music Promoter

(This category seeks to determine the most outstanding
promoter/marketer who went the extra mile to promote Islamic music
productions/sales or career[s] of Islamic artiste[s] during the year under
review)

(23) Best Supportive Radio Station to Islamic Music

(This category seeks to determine the most outstanding radio station
which dedicated appreciable part of its air time to playing Islamic
music during the year under review)

(24) Best Supportive Tv Station to Islamic Music

(This category seeks to determine the most outstanding television
station which dedicated appreciable part of its air time to playing
Islamic music during the year under review)

(25) Best Supportive Newspaper to Islamic Music

(This category seeks to determine the most outstanding newspaper which
dedicated appreciable part of its space to writing about Islamic
artistes during the year under review)

(26) Best Supportive Magazine to Islamic Music

(This category seeks to determine the most outstanding magazine which
dedicated appreciable part of its space to writing about Islamic
artistes during the year under review)

(27) Best Supportive Individual to Islamic Music

(This category seeks to determine the most outstanding person who used
their personal resources to support Islamic artistes during the year
under review)

(28) Best Supportive Corporate Organization to Islamic Music

(This category seeks to determine the most outstanding company which
used its product/services to support Islamic artistes during the year
under review)

(29) Best Reporter of Islamic Music

(This category seeks to determine the most outstanding reporter with
appreciable interest for reporting activities of Islamic artistes
during the year under review)

(30) Best Supportive Islamic Cleric to Islamic Music

(This category seeks to determine the Sheikh/Alfa most dedicated to
supporting the career and activities of Islamic
artistes during the year under review)

IS LATE FUJI MUSIC CREATOR, BARRISTER'S LEAD DRUMMER, DEROJU ONILU, NOW WITH SHEFIU ALAO?

Anyone familiar with the music of late Fuji music creator/legend, Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, should also be familiar with the name Alhaji Yekini Aderoju better known as Deroju Onilu. Deroju Onilu was the lead drummer to Barrister's band for many years till the Fuji music maestro passed on some years back. And since the death of his boss, not much was heard of Deroju Onilu beyond the fact that he later became the President of the Association of Performing Drummers Of Nigeria (APDON) sometime ago.

But last week Sunday, 6th March, 2016, Deroju Onilu resurfaced on stage in Abeokuta, Ogun State. And it was at the burial party of the mum of a top aide to Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, which held at the Open Ground of Abeokuta Sports Club, Oke-Ilewo. While talented Fuji artiste, Alhaji Ramoni Akanni a.k.a. Raymon King (RK1) was holding the tempo of the party up at a section of the field, Fuji music star, Alhaji Shefiu Alao Adekunle a.k.a. Agbara Orin (Baba Oko) was doing what he knows how to do best at another end of the expansive field.

Meanwhile, when Saheed Ojubanire Online stepped on the stage of Agbara Orin, one of the drummers creating the melodious beat for Shefiu Alao at the event was discovered to be the indefatigable Deroju Onilu. And the question that immediately came to mind was that: "Is Deroju Onilu now with Shefiu Alao?"

But when this blog snooped around for an answer, it was confirmed that the gifted drummer only comes around to be part of the Fuji Cardozo Band once in a while and that he was yet to become a permanent feature in the band. And the question whether he is going to be part and parcel of the successful band was left for time to tell.

However, one thing was very obvious at the party. And that is the fact that most of the big fans of Fuji music who came up stage to appreciate the good music of Shefiu Alao with crisp, high denominations of Naira notes also spared some cash, particularly, for Deroju Onilu amidst other drummers flanking him. And that gave an unmistakable indication that they were happy to see the chubby drummer on stage again.