Richest Fuji Musicians In Nigeria
Fuji is a popular Yoruba musical genre. It emanated from the improvisational “Wéré” music, also known as “Ajísari” (meaning “waking up for sari”), a genre of music performed to wake Muslims before dawn during the month of Ramadan (fasting).
Wéré music which metamorphosed to what is known today as Fuji will be incomplete without the input of pioneers like Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, Kollington Ayinla, Dauda Epo Akara and others who popularized it during the 1960s.
History has it that Sikiru Ayinde Barrister is the undisputable originator of fuji music. He named the genre fuji, inspired by an image of Mount Fuji he saw during a visit to Japan. When asked about the ancestry of fuji music, he explains that it is a combination of apala, sakara, juju, aro, afro, gudugudu and highlife.
Fuji is one of the important musical genres in Nigeria which has help put the country on a world map as result of the immense contributions of fuji founders who used their voices to put the country into limelight. Much is not being said about fuji musicians like other mainstream music artists because it was often associated with thuggery, razz and unpolished behaviour of the musicians.
Today, Fuji music has grown in leaps and bounds, as its audience trancended Nigeria alone but it has grown to have a global acceptance. Fuji musicians in Nigeria have made name, wealth and affluence for themselves. Attention has always been on the mainstream musician but few talk about fuji musicians and their net worth. However, fuji genre has brought fame, wealth and honour to the musicians as they can be included among the richest globally.
Below are the Top 10 richest Fuji Musicians in Nigeria and their contribution to the world of Fuji Music.
- Ayinde Wasiu Marshal – N800 Million
Wasiu Ayinde Anifowose Marshal (born 3rd March 1957), popularly known as ‘Kwam 1, ‘K1 de Ultimate’ and ‘Ayinde Marshall’, was born in Agawaru, in Lagos State. People have asked, “who is the richest Fuji musician in Nigeria?” Ayinde Wasiu Mashal is the richest Fuji musician in Nigeria. He also ranks as the most rated Fuji Musician in Nigeria.
Ayinde Wasiu has been on the stage of Fuji music for a long time. He has been honoured with deserving chieftaincy titles. Wasiu is also the first Mayegun chief of Yorubaland.
Ayinde Marshal ranks first in our list of Top 10 richest Fuji Musicians in Nigeria. Wasiu Mashal discovered his interest in music when he was 8. Although he still makes money from record sales, Ayinde Wasiu’s primary source of wealth is from his shows. Wasiu Ayinde Anifowose Marshall is the richest Fuji musician in Nigeria, with an estimated net worth of N800 million.
2.Pasuma Wonder – N555 Million
Wasiu Alabi Ajibola (born 27th November 1967, in Mushin) is popularly known by his stage name, ‘Pasuma’, ‘Pasuma Jibola’, ‘Pasuma Wonder’.
Pasuma Wonder closely follows Ayinde Wasiu Marshal, the richest Fuji musician in Nigeria.
Pasuma wonder takes the second spot as the second richest Fuji musician in Nigeria.He is a Nigerian actor, producer, Fuji musician and recording artist known in the Fuji circle as one of Nigeria’s best and finest Fuji musicians.He owns the “Wasbar” records and author an album called ‘My World’, which Fuji and hip-hop fans loved.
Pasuma is undoubtedly the most versatile Fuji musician in Nigeria. He has worked with fellow Fuji musicians and modern musicians and has fused several of his sounds with modern, Afro-pop beats.bPasuma currently ranks as the second richest Fuji musician in Nigeria, with an estimated net worth of N550 million.
3.Abass Akande Obesere – N500 Million
Abass Akande Obesere, also known as Omo Rapala, born 20th of January 1965, is a native of Ibadan. Obesere forced his way into the limelight through his “vulgar” songs, which openly touch on issues that are considered taboo in the conservative Yoruba community.
Omo Rapala Obesere is the third richest Fuji Musician in Nigeria. Following other successful musicians such as Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, Obesere has also taken his own Fuji music brand worldwide. After payment disputes, he was initially signed with Sony Music but moved onto other labels.
Omo Rapala Obesere is also known for his appearance and performance during the coronation of Olubadan in Ibadan. Besides being an artist and a businessman, Obesere is a business tycoon with several business establishments to his name and has an estimated net worth of N500 million.
4. Saheed Osupa – N450 million
Saheed Osupa (born 1969) is a Nigerian-born actor, producer, and famous Fuji musician and is primarily regarded as one of the best Fuji musicians with deep, sermonic lyrics. Osupa was born in the Mosafejo area of Ajegunle, Lagos State but grew up as a child in Ibadan, Oyo State’s capital.
Saheed Osupa ranks as the fourth richest Fuji Musician in our top 10 richest Fuji Musicians in Nigeria. Osupa’s father, Moshood Ajiwere Layeye, was a Wéré music artist and an elder cousin of Fuji musician Ayinde Barrister. Saheed Osupa is the fourth richest Fuji musician in Nigeria, with an estimated net worth of N450M.
5.Sule Alao Malaika – N400 million
Sule Alao Malaika (born 15th February 1973), popularly called ‘Malaika’, is a Nigerian Fuji musician born in Lagos State but raised in Ogun State, Nigeria. Malaika ranks as the fifth richest Fuji Musician in Nigeria.
Malaika started his music career as far back as 1983 and, since then, has experienced a steady climb. Presently, Malaika is one of the biggest Fuji musicians in Nigeria and the world at large. He made some decent earnings from album sales, shows, and tours, within and outside Nigeria.
Malaika is one of Nigeria’s top Fuji musicians with an estimated net worth of N400 million. Malaika performed in the United States of America from November 1997 and had a great time thrilling in about 15 states before returning to Nigeria with multi-million naira musical equipment.
6.Adewale Ayuba – N400 Million
Adewale Ayuba, popularly known as Ayuba, Mr Johnson, and the Bonus-fuji maestro, was born on 6th May 1966 in Ikenne Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria. Ayuba grew up as a child singer, and by the age of eight, he had started singing at local musical competitions and fiestas in Ikenne.
This made him pursue Fuji music after his secondary school education at Remo Secondary School, Sagamu, Ogun State. Though, Ayuba converted to Christianity, he never allowed his new faith to deter him from his passion for Fuji music. Adewale Ayuba is the 6th richest Fuji musician in Nigeria, with an estimated net worth of N400 million.
7. Sefiu Alao – 350 million
Sefiu Alao Adekunle, popularly known as Sefiu Alao, is a popular Fuji musician with a huge fan base in Ogun State. Sefiu is another talented Fuji musician and one of the best Fuji musicians in Nigeria.
Sefiu usually refers to himself as “Omo Oko”, Which means ‘village boy’ owing to his belief that his wealth and riches will never erase where he is from or his humble beginnings. Sefiu Alao Adekunle is the 7th richest Fuji musician in Nigeria, with an estimated net worth of N350 million.
8.Muri Thunder – N200 Million
Muritala Ademola Salaudeen, popularly known in the music circles as Genius Muri Alabi Thunder, was born on August 5th, 1973. Muri Thunder’s parents are Alhaji Tiamiyu Salaudeen Orimadegun and Alhaja Mariamo Salaudeen from Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government, Lagos State.
Muri Thunder is originally a native of Oje Local Government Area in Oyo state. He occupies the 8th position on our list of the top 10 richest Fuji musicians in Nigeria. Muri Thunder is from a humble background and lived in the ghetto areas of Lagos state for a long time.
Muri Thunder enjoys massive fan attention across the South West and the Fuji industry and has an estimated net worth of N200 million.
9. Remi Aluko – N100 Million
Remi Aluko is popularly known as Igwe1. Remi Aluko began studying music at a very tender age. Remi Aluko’s Fuji music style is unique. He usuaully sings in a fast rhythm with interesting slangs. Remi Aluko occupies the 9th position on our list of the top 10 richest Fuji musicians in Nigeria.
Rumour has it that Remi Aluko has a problem with he sight. He later confirmed that he has glaucoma in an exclusive interview with a national paper.
Even with vision problem, Remi is undetered to make name for himself in the Fuji world. Like other Fuji Musicians, Remi Aluko has acquired wealth in the Fuji industry and has an estimated net worth of N100 million.
10. Taye Currency – Net Worth of N85 million
Alhaji Taiwo Akande Abdulrasheed Adebisi, popularly known as Taye Currency, is the 10th on our list of the richest Fuji musicians in Nigeria.
Taye Currency built a house in Ibadan that has become a real decoration to Oyo State architecture; the new mansion attracted thousands of loyal fans and admirers during the unveiling ceremony. Taye Currency is from Oyo state in Nigeria. Taye Currency has increased his Fuji music fan base across Oyo and other parts of Southwest Nigeria.
Taye Currency is another force to reckon with in the Nigeria Fuji Music industry. Taye Currency has an estimated Net worth of N85 million.
Hafsoh Isiaq is a graduate of Linguistics. An avid writer committed to creative, high-quality research and news reportage. She has considerable experience in writing and reporting across a variety of platforms including print and online.