sounds of nigeria
Shina Peters Track: Afro-Juju 1989, Ace (Afro-Juju Series 1)
Shina Peters was born in May 1958 in Ogun State, and adopted the stage name Sir Shina Peters. As a young boy he was fascinated by the guitar and together with his close childhood friend, Sakiru, he started Olushina and his 12 Fantastic Brothers Band.
He started his professional career as a guitarist
sound was a blend of afrobeat with the already
Series 2), is hailed for revolutionizing the
worldwide and has toured with his band in
with General Prince Adekunle, before he and
established juju genre to get the unique sound
traditional music scene in Africa.
Africa, Europe and America. In 2011, Sir Shina
Segun Adewale formed their group which
of his music. He sang in Yoruba, English and
remained together through the 1980s. Shina
Pidgin English, and easily found acceptance
are Lobito Disco, Mo Le So Nipa Ijesa, Vivid
Peters later formed his own band, Sir Shina
across Nigeria.
Imagination, Dele Ilori, Momo, Shinamania,
Peters & His International Stars, and changed
Sir Shina Peters & His International Stars'
Popular amongst Sir Shina Peters' songs
and Commit. Sir Shina Peters has received
the sound of his music, birthing afro juju, which
first album, Ace (Afro-Juju Series 1), was
numerous awards and recognition for his
brought him fame in the 1990s.
released in 1989 and it went double platinum.
creatively unique contributions to the world
His second album, Shinamania (Afro-Juju
music scene. He has sold millions of albums
Afro juju was Shina's innovation; the 46
Peters was inducted into the Headies Hall of Fame.
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Tunde Nightingale Track: na Poor A Poor na Poor A Poor
born eArneST olATunde ThoMAS, Tunde nighTingAle or The weSTern nighTingAle, wAS A Singer And guiTAriST beST known for hiS uniQue JuJu MuSic STyle which followed in The TrAdiTion of Tunde king.
He is said to have played a major role in the
His first band was formed in 1944 with only a
TYC Record label and recorded over 40 albums
shaping and presentation of juju music from the
few instruments: the guitar, tambourine, and
in the span of his music career.
1960s onwards. He also popularized the Yoruba
sekere. By 1952 when he started performing
word, ‘Owanmbe’, which is now popularly used
regularly at the West African Club in Ibadan,
off members of society, led to a paradigm shift
to refer to ostentatious parties.
his band had grown to accommodate eight
for juju music and its mode of consumption,
Tunde served in the army and his career
His music, which was targeted at the well-
members. By the 1960s, his fan base had grown
moving it away from Dairo's proletarian
took off during the World War II. However, it
considerably. He was highly recognized amongst
anthems sung in public bars and dance halls to
was not until I.K. Dairo came with his brand of
the Lagos socialites who sponsored his tours
the theme music for jetsetters and wannabes.
juju music that Tunde’s career really picked up.
and shows around the world. He was signed to
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Tunde Nightingale died 1981.
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Chief Doctor Sikiru Ayinde Barrister Track: Nigeria Fuji
Sikiru Ayinde Ololade Balogun was born in 1948 in Lagos, Nigeria. He is regarded as one of Nigeria’s best fuji singers and songwriters. Barrister was the pioneer fuji artiste and his career dates back to the late 1970s.
By the time Sikiru was ten years old, his interest
Ishola. He also conceded seniority to the likes
a great voice and a highly creative curve, he
been described as "juju without the guitars" and
in music had already been defined. He had
of Ajadi Ganiu, Jolly lawa, Saka Olaigbade,
added music and melody to the recitation of
a "percussion conversation". Barrister renamed it
acquired admirable mastery in the complex
Baba Raliatu, Kawu Aminu, and Ayinde
Quranic verses. He sang about societal ills,
‘Fuji Garbage’ before he died in December 2012.
Yoruba vocal style that was traditionally
Muniru Mayegun. Barrister’s music was largely
personal freedom and responsibilities. His lyrics
performed during the holy month of Ramadan.
influenced by the ‘were’ genre which later
were filled with Yoruba proverbs, customs and
He began his music career as a member of the
evolved into fuji. His music was a combination
traditions and poetry and never went without
Ajisari Ajiwere group in 1958.
of a variety of genres: sakara, juju, apala,
the trademark heartfelt vocals set to a rhythmic
gudugudu and Yoruba praise poems.
mix of talking drums, claves, bells, sekere, drum
He drew inspiration from the likes of Olatunji Yusuf, Lefty Salami, Saka and Haruna 50
Ayinde Barrister was a gifted singer. With
set, and Hawaiian-style guitar. The style has
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Salawa Abeni Track: gentle lady 1984, indian waka, leader records
ibiwunMi Abeni SAlAwA iS known by her STAge nAMe SAlAwA Abeni; She hAS AlSo been dubbed The Queen of wAkA. born on MAy 5, 1961, She diScoVered her PASSion for Singing AT Age 8. AT The Age of 10, She wAlked inTo The lAgoS officeS of leAder recordS And ASked To be Allowed To PlAy her deMo TAPe, A reQueST which wAS diScArded AS A childiSh giMMick.
A few months later, she was performing at a
by Batile Alake. Because of her talent, she was
1980 she was one of the most successful artists
record label's owner, Lateef Adepoju. She
society function when the owner of the same
conferred with the title ‘Queen of Waka Music’
in Nigeria. Since then, she has had 12 album
married Kollington Ayinla and joined his record
label, who happened to be passing by, was
by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, in
releases, including her smash hit in 1984 Indian
label instead, staying with him until 1994.
surprised to discover that Salawa was truly
1992.
Waka.
talented. With her parents’ permission, he took her to
Her album, Late Murtala Muhammed, was
She also recorded a tribute album for the
a tribute to the assassinated head of state and
apala star, Haruna Ishola in 1985, and it was her
his studio to record her debut album. She sang
it went on to become one of the bestselling
best selling release of the 1980s.
the waka style of music, an Islam-influenced,
Nigerian releases of 1976. In 1977, Abeni formed
traditional Yoruba music style popularized
her own band, The Waka Modernisers, and by
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Abeni was signed to Leader Records until 1986 when she ended a relationship with the
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