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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZBARRISTER, Sikiru Ayinde(b Sikiru Ayinde, '48, Lagos, Nigeria) African singer-composer, a Yoruban who originated fuji style which now threatened to overtake juju as the favourite recreational music of the Yoruban: nicknamed 'Barrister' by fans. Attended Muslim school, then Yaba Polytechnic '61, but since age ten had sung in were competitions (a Yoruban Muslim vocal style performed mainly during Ramadan). Lack of funds forced him to leave school; worked briefly as stenographer; joined Nigerian Army; during civil war '67--70 kept up music studies, gaining knowledge of trad. instruments. Resumed musical career managed by Nigeria- African Songs Ltd, releasing many records; through '70s struggled to perfect style with band the Supreme Fuji Commanders, working from were base with elements of juju, apala and trad. Yoruban blues: result now called fuji has criss-cross of amplified percussion, commercial appeal in what had been purely Islamic music: he described it as percussion conversation. By '80s Barrister and his 25-strong Commanders were established as a top Nigerian act; best- selling albums incl. Iwa, Ise Logun Ise and E Ku Odun '82; Ijo Olomo, Nigeria and Love '83; Military '84, Fuji Vibration '84--5, Destiny and Superiority. He renamed the music 'fuji garbage', sending up critics; his first Globe Style CD was a Garbage album. Success resulted in competition: Wasio Ayinde Barrister sprang up '84 with his Talazo Fuji Commanders; albums incl. Elo Sora and Tala Disco '85. |