Adewale Ayuba

Adewale Ayuba (born 25 March 1965), also known as Mr. Johnson, is a Nigerian Fuji singer.^[1] Ayuba has referred to himself as the "Bonsue Fuji King", and “Bonsue Fuji Maestro”,^[2] because he has claimed to be the original artist to coin the term "Bonsue Fuji" as a subgenre of Fuji Music.^[3]

Ayuba was born on March 25, 1965, in Ikenne Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria. At 8 years old, he began singing at local music competitions and fiestas in Ikenne.^[4] This led him towards music as a career once he had finished his secondary school education at Remo Secondary School, Sagamu, Ogun State.^[5]

Ayuba holds a Doctor of Arts in Music from Bradley University,^[6] and a Diploma in Financial Accounting, which he received from Queens Borough Community College, New York.^[6]

Ayuba released his first album, Ibere (Beginning) at 17, the success of which gained him recognition in the Fuji music scene.^[7] In early 1990, Ayuba signed with Sony Music (Nigerian) to record an album, Bubble, which was released in 1991.^[8] Bubble was among the first Fuji albums to gain widespread popularity, marking the first time a Fuji Music album gained such widespread success and prominence, topping music charts for six consecutive months and winning multiple awards at the Nigerian Music Awards (NMA). It also won Ayuba the Artist of the Year Award, Album of the Year Award, Song of the Year Award, and Best Fuji Album of the Year Award.^[9]

After Bubble, Ayuba released a follow-up album, Mr. Johnson Play for Me. In 1993, Ayuba was signed to Premier Music (Nigeria) before starting his first West African coast tour, performing in several African countries.^[6] It was followed by his first US tour, also in 1993, during which Ayuba performed in over ten states, including in Louisiana, at the New Orleans Jazz Festival. He was awarded the Key to the City of Providence, Rhode Island by its mayor after two concerts there. About his Los Angeles debut, C.C. Smith of Los Angeles Weekly Magazine wrote that "Ayuba bases his Fuji on two elemental forces—rhythm, and the human voice—to create a compelling, enchanting and powerful sound. Expect frenzied dancing style, colorful costumes, exultant fans, and enough talking drums and percussion to remedy even a terminal sensory deprivation."^[9]

After his return in 1993, Ayuba released Bubble D on the Premier Music (Nigeria) label. The album won multiple awards at the Fame Music Awards, topping the music chart for several months.^[6] In 1994, Ayuba toured the UK and the US with his band with a vision to "[internationalize] Fuji Music". He recorded while in America in 1995, and he performed at various international concerts including the 1996 Summer State Concerts in New York, the African Mondo Concerts of 1996 and 1997, the New Orleans Jazz Festival of 1997, the 1997 International Festival in Houston, Texas, and the Black Entertainment Television Jazz USA Concert. Ayuba was signed by US-based Q-disc Record Company for a one-year contract and released Fuji Time on the company's label in 1996. In 1997, he released Fuji Dub on the Agogo Music Label in London.^[6]

In 1998, he returned to Nigeria and released Acceleration on the Corporate Music label. In 2000, he released another album, Turn Me On, which received the Best Fuji Album of the Year at the Awards for Musical Excellence in Nigeria and the Best Song of The Year at the Nigerian Song Festival 2000. In the same year, he toured in many European countries including England, Ireland, the Netherlands and Belgium.^[6] He was awarded as a Distinguished Son of Ikenne-Remo during a colorful ceremony at the Ikenne Local Government in Ogun State in 2001, during the same year, Ayuba also performed at the Eko Le Meridien Hotel Banquet Hall in Lagos in a concert titled The Return of Ayuba. This concert was attended by the Executive Governors of Lagos and Ogun state, Federal and State Legislators, and several commissioners, among other dignitaries.^[6]

Ayuba and his band toured Austria in 2001, performing in Graz and Vienna. In 2002, he once again toured countries in Europe for four months, performing in England, France, Belgium, Austria and the Netherlands. While on this tour, Ayuba recorded another album, Formula, which in 2002 was awarded the Best Fuji Album of the Year at the Awards for Musical Excellence in Nigeria. In 2002, the Music Advertisers Association of Nigeria named Ayuba the Best Artiste of the Millennium.^[6] In 2003, Ayuba again toured European Cities, performing in Cologne, Hamburg, Berlin, Essen, Krefeld, Paris, Antwerp, Amsterdam, Bologna, Naples, Turin, and Genoa. While on this tour, he recorded a joint album, Fuji Satisfaction, with German-based Afro-centric Music group Bantu, which won two Awards, The Best Group in West Africa and The Best Group in Africa at the Kora Music Awards in Durban, South Africa.^[6]

Ayuba was awarded the Millennium Voice of Nigerian Music (at home and abroad) in Düsseldorf, Germany by the Pan-Yoruba group Omo Oduduwa Association in recognition of his valuable contributions to the growth of the music industry.

In 2004, Ayuba released Ijo Fuji (Fuji Dance) in Nigeria and was also given the Entertainer of the Year Award by the Nigerian American Community Association in the same year. Ijo Fuji won the Best Fuji Album of the Year Award at the Awards for Musical Excellence in Nigeria in July 2005.^[6] The Ikenne Development Association in Chicago gave him its Ogo-Irawo award in recognition of his contribution to the development of Ikenne Remo (2004). Ayuba's album, Mellow, won the Best Fuji Vocal Performance at the (AMEN) 2007 Awards, which topped Nigeria's contemporary African charts.

Ayuba began his musical journey at a young age, influenced by his father, an amateur singer who emphasized the importance of education. His father allowed him to focus on his studies during the week, reserving Saturdays for music practice. Ayuba signed his first record deal in the 1980s and has since released 15 albums in Nigeria and four internationally.^[10]

Ayuba won two Kora Awards in 2005.^[10]

Ayuba is a member of the Nigerian Red Cross and was dubbed "Prince Of Peace" in 2012.^[6]

In 2010, Ayuba reverted to Christianity. This change in faith was publicly confirmed by Ayuba during testimony at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), City of David, in January 2015.^[6]

Ayuba acted as a journalist in the movie Mystery of Unity, produced by Ebun Oloyede.^[6]

Ayuba is the primary songwriter and collaborates closely with his fifteen-member ensemble, Ayuba and the Bonsue Fuji Band, where he serves as the lead vocalist. Throughout his career, Ayuba has worked closely with his band, which has played an integral role in his musical success. His distinctive sound blends traditional Yoruba talking drums with elements of American percussion.^[6] Ayuba aims to take Fuji music to the whole world.^[6] On 25 March 2025, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu, joined other well-wishers around the world to celebrate Adewale Ayuba on his 60th birthday.^[13]

In 2013, Ayuba enlisted his long-time stylist and fashion designer to launch Bonsue Wears, a fashion line that helped increase global recognition of his unique style. Ayuba has long had an affinity for traditional Yoruba attire, particularly the shokoto and bubba ensemble. Comfortable performing in these garments, they have come to define his signature on-stage look. The Bonsue Wears collection features a two-piece design, consisting of a shirt-like top with wide, open sleeves and matching pants that gather at the knees. The line merges traditional Yoruba fashion with contemporary urban influences.^[14]

Ayuba supports his music trade as a businessman, using the Diploma in Financial Accounting he received at the Queens Borough Community College, New York.^[6]

• Ayuba's biography
• [1].