‘FUJI: A Opera’, a multi-dimensional exhibition that chronicles the tale of the Fuji music genre, a sixty-year mainstay of Yoruba music and one of the most significant in Nigeria’s history, will be on display at The Africa Centre in London from August 18 through August 28, 2023.
‘FUJI: A Opera’ will feature never-before-seen archive material and antiques, examine Fuji music’s contentious past, identify its founding influences, and celebrate its vibrant underground scene from the early 1960s to the present.
The narrative will be presented through amazing historical film of earlier performances, audio installations, and unique artefacts from Fuji music’s 60-year history. Starting with the beginnings of Fuji, it examines the Yoruba-Muslim communities of Nigeria’s South-West and the pioneer Ayinde Barrister, who named his sound “Fuji” after witnessing an airport advertisement for the renowned Japanese mountain.
The opening night drew extremely distinguished visitors for an evening of festivities, which included remarks from DJ Abass, Bobo Omotayo, the exhibition’s founder, His Excellency, Ambassador Ishola Tunji Sarafa (Nigerian High Commissioner to the UK), and Oba Nsugbe (Chairman, The Africa Centre).
Following his keynote address, international Fuji musicians Asimiu Ajebori, Lateef Ayinla, and Atawewe joined Fuji icon K1 De Ultimate on stage for a surprise live performance that delighted the audience.
The Africa Centre in London is now hosting the show, which will be on view until August 28, 2023. An interactive exhibition tracing the development of the Fuji music style, a significant period in Nigerian history, and the much ignored foundation of the current Afrobeats genre.
FUJI: A Opera is a multi-platform, multi-media explosion of culture that is being driven by a visionary team that includes the creator, Bobo Omotayo, and executive producers, Tosin Ashafa and Papa Omotayo. It aims to revitalise the Fuji musical genre for new audiences globally.
Tickets are on sale now, available here.
