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    Fuji legend Ayinde Barrister would have been 73 today

    Tolu OkeBy No Comments3 Mins Read

    Legends are a product of grace, hard work, consistency, and perseverance, such is the title that befits Late Ayinde Barrister.

    Born February 9th, 1948 in Ibadan, Oyo State,  Sikiru Ayinde Balogun better known as Barrister is one of the pioneers of the great fuji and were music.

    He commenced his elementary at Muslim Mission School and the Model School, Mushin, Lagos State.

    Later, he proceeded to Yaba College of Technology where he studied typing and commercial-related courses.

    As a young ‘ajiwere’ singer during the period of Ramadan, Ayinde Barrister started displaying his musical talent.

    He fell in love with music and was seen as a shining star to many.

    However, during the Nigerian civil war, he had a change of profession and had to serve his motherland.

    He was appointed as the clerk during the war under the leadership of Col Adeniran and fought in Awka, Abagana, and Onitsha.

    Upon his arrival from war, he resigned from the army to concentrate on being a full-time musician.

    Late Ayinde Barrister as a military personnel

    Ayinde Barrister released his first LP record in the year 1966. He majorly played with his band around Lagos.

    Most of his clients were Muslims at that time, and his major base was around Ebute-Meta of Lagos.

    Also, he released records under the African Songs Ltd before starting his own label Siky-Oluyole Records.

    Here are some of the records/albums he released under African songs Ltd;
    •  “Bisimilahi” came in the year (1977)
    • “Ile Aiye Dun Pupo/Love In Tokyo” released in the year (1976).

    Later, Ayinde Barrister and Fuji music had become accepted by all religions in the country.

    In the early 80s, he released a couple of other albums such as;

    All of which was under his record label.

    With Fuji Music, Barrister revolutionized Yoruba music while still projecting traditional values of good behaviour, respect for elders and the struggles against life’s forces.

    To his name, Ayinde Barrister has earned so many notable awards during his lifetime and music career.

    However, the most remarkable is the conferment of the honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR).

    This was presented by the then President Olusegun Obasanjo in the year 2006.

    The honour is believed to be based on the Precaution album which he released in the year 1995.

    However, When the news of his death hit the airwaves in 2010, a number of fans were thrown into mourning.

    Likewise, they also celebrated the life and achievements of the Fuji music pioneer.

    Over a decade ago the singer still lives on in the mind and hearts of loved ones and fans.

    Honour is due to the man who spent his entire life giving us the best of the best fuji songs of his time.

    Today, the legend will have clocked 73 years old.