Small Doctor voices concern over “Dying” state of Fuji music

Nigerian singer Small Doctor claims the popular Yoruba music genre, Fuji, is fading and calls for urgent intervention to revitalize it

[dropcap]N[/dropcap]igerian singer Adekunle Temitope, widely known as Small Doctor, has publicly expressed his apprehension regarding the current condition of Fuji music, a prominent genre within Yoruba culture.

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The artist has asserted that Fuji music is in a state of decline and has urged for immediate action to reverse this trend.

Small Doctor took to his X (formerly Twitter) handle to share his concerns, stating that since the significant rise of Fuji musicians like Remi Aluko and his contemporaries in the early 2000s, he has not witnessed a similar level of breakthrough for any new Fuji artist.

In his post, he wrote, “I stand to be corrected. I feel Fuji music is dying and something needs to be fixed urgently.. After the blowing up of Remi Aluko and the likes in 2001 Or 2002, I gaven’t heard nor seen another Fuji artist blow up.”

I feel Fuji music is dying and something needs to be fixed urgently.. After the blowing up of Remi Aluko and the likes in 2001 Or 2002, I gaven’t heard nor seen another Fuji artist blow up,” Small Doctor wrote on X.

Fuji music has a rich history, originating in the 1960s from the improvisational wéré music, traditionally performed to awaken Muslims during Ramadan.

The genre was famously named after Mount Fuji by Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, considered the pioneer of wéré.

Other iconic Fuji artists include K1 De Ultimate, King Saheed Osupa, Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, and Obesere, who have all contributed significantly to its popularity.

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While Fuji’s direct mainstream prominence may have seemingly waned, its influence remains evident in the works of contemporary Nigerian pop artists such as 9ice, Lord of Ajasa, Olamide, Small Doctor himself, Asake, Naira Marley, Qdot, and Seyi Vibez, who have all incorporated elements of Fuji into their music.