Adewale Ayuba
Adewale Ayuba | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Mr. Johnson |
| Born | 25 March 1965 Ikenne, Ogun State, Nigeria |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, drummer, dancer, writer, artist, actor |
| Years active | 1983–present |
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] a self-coined term for a subgenre of Fuji Music.[3] he developed.
Early life and education
Ayuba was born on 25 March 1965 in Ikenne Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria. He began singing at local music competitions and fiestas in Ikenne.[4] at the age of eight. After completing his secondary education at Remo Secondary School, Sagamu, Ogun State,.[5] he pursued music as a career.
He 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]
Career
Ayuba released his first album, Ibere (Beginning), at 17, the success of which gaining recognition in the Fuji music scene.[7] In early 1990, he signed with Sony Music Nigeria and released Bubble 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).[9] 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.[10]
Following Bubble, he released Mr. Johnson Play for Me. In 1993, he signed with Premier Music (Nigeria), embarked on his first West African [6] tour, and then undertook his inaugural U.S. tour, performing in over ten states including Louisiana, and appearing at the New Orleans Jazz Festival. He was also awarded the Key to the City of Providence, Rhode Island.[11] His Los Angeles debut received praise from Los Angeles Weekly, with C.C. Smith describing his music as “compelling, enchanting and powerful,” noting his vibrant costumes, dancing, and percussive instrumentation."[10]
Upon returning in 1993, Ayuba released Bubble D via Premier Music, which also earned success at the Fame Music Awards and charted for several months Wikipedia. In 1994, he toured the UK and U.S. to promote international awareness of Fuji. In 1995, he recorded in the U.S., and performed at the 1996 Summer Stage Concerts in New York, Africa Mondo Concerts (1996–1997), New Orleans Jazz Festival (1997), the International Festival in Houston (1997), and BET’s Jazz USA Concert .[12] Signed to the U.S. Q-disc Record Company, he released Fuji Time in 1996, followed by Fuji Dub on London's Agogo Music label in 1997.[6]
After returning to Nigeria in 1998, he released Acceleration (Corporate Music) and followed with Turn Me On in 2000, earning Best Fuji Album of the Year at the Awards for Musical Excellence in Nigeria and Best Song of the Year at the Nigerian Song Festival 2000. That year also included a European tour of England, Ireland, the Netherlands and Belgium.[6]
In 2001, Ayuba was honoured as Distinguished Son of Ikenne-Remo and headlined a high-profile concert, “The Return of Ayuba,” in Lagos, attended by state governors and dignitaries. He toured Austria (Graz and Vienna) the same year. In 2002, he toured Europe again (England, France, Belgium, AustriaNetherland), released Formula—winning Best Fuji Album of the Year—and was named Best Artiste of the Millennium by the Music Advertisers Association of Nigeria.[6]
In 2003, Ayuba toured across major European cities and recorded the collaborative album Fuji Satisfaction with German Afro-centric group BANTU, winning Best Group in West Africa and Best Group in Africa at the Kora Music Awards in Durban, South Africa.[6] He also received the Millennium Voice of Nigerian Music award in Düsseldorf, Germany the Pan-Yoruba group Omo Oduduwa Association in recognition of his valuable contributions to the growth of the music industry.
In 2004, he released Ijo Fuji—earning Entertainer of the Year by the Nigerian American Community Association—and Best Fuji Album of the Year at the Awards for Musical Excellence in July 2005. He also received the Ogo-Irawo award from the Ikenne Development Association in Chicago.[6] His album Mellow (2007) won Best Fuji Vocal Performance at the AMEN Awards and topped Nigeria’s contemporary African charts
Music career
Ayuba's musical journey began under his father's guidance, who balanced education with music—Saturdays reserved for practice. Since signing his first recording deal in the 1980s, he has released approximately 15 albums in Nigeria and four internationally.[13]
| Ibere (Beginning) | 1986 |
| Igida (Tribute to Obafemi Awolowo) | 1987 |
| Bonsue Knockout Ife Love | 1988 |
| Olorun ni gbe niga | 1989 |
| Bonsue Gold | 1990 |
| Bubble | 1991 |
| Mr Johnson Play For Me | 1992 |
| Buggle D (Dance) | 1994 |
| Move Up | 1995 |
| Fuji Music | 1995 |
| Fuji Time | 1996 |
| Fuji Dub | 1997 |
| Back Head Bound (BHB) | 1998 |
| Acceleration | 1999 |
| Turn Me On | 2001 |
| Formula | 2003 |
| Gun Shot | 2003 |
| Ijo Fuji | 2004 |
| Fuji Satisfaction | 2005 |
| Mellow | 2009 |
| Ariya | 2011 |
| Sugar | 2013 |
| Happy People Remix | 2015 |
Awards and honors
Ayuba won two Kora Awards in 2005.[13]
| From | Award/Honor | Date |
|---|---|---|
| HEN Foundation | ||
| Kora Awards | ||
| Afro America Music Awards | ||
| Providence, Rhode Island | Key to the City | |
| Fuji Music Lifetime Awards | ||
| Nigerian Music Awards[14] | Artist of the Year | 1993 (?) |
| Nigerian Community Association, USA | ||
| AMEN Awards | ||
| CEPAN Awards | ||
| The Headies[15] | Performer | 2016 |
| New Koko Dome Honor | ||
| CBS Platinum sales | ||
| Floating World Honor | ||
| Golden Sony Awards | ||
| M. A. A. N. | ||
| Learning and Culture Awards | ||
| Arise and Shine | ||
| WorldWide Superstar Awards | ||
| Gathering Of Africa's Best | ||
| Osab Awards For Excellence | ||
| City People Entertainment Awards | ||
| Yoruba Music Films Awards | ||
| The Ambassadors Club | ||
| Podium International |
Ayuba is a member of the Nigerian Red Cross and was dubbed "Prince Of Peace" in 2012.[6]
Personal life
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]
Filmography
Ayuba acted as a journalist in the movie Mystery of Unity, produced by Ebun Oloyede.[6]
Artistry
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.[16]
Other ventures
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.[17]
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]
References
- ^ Festime.net. "Adewale Ayuba Festivals 2021". Festime. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
- ^ ADEKUNLE, MUSA (25 March 2025). "Tinubu celebrates Fuji icon, Adewale Ayuba, as he clocks 60". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
- ^ Oduntan, Olalekan. "Biography of the Fuji Maestro Adewale Ayuba (Part 1)". Retrieved 10 March 2025.
- ^ "ADEWALE AYUBA A.K.A MR. JOHNSON | Downtown Arlington, TX". downtownarlington.org. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ "Adewale Ayuba Biography - Net Worth, Age, Songs & Album". FujiNaija. 2 April 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n admin (27 July 2020). "ADEWALE AYUBA (MR JOHNSON)". Glimpse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 14 July 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
- ^ "ADEWALE AYUBA A.K.A MR. JOHNSON | Downtown Arlington, TX". downtownarlington.org. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
- ^ Nation, The (23 August 2017). "Adewale Ayuba releases 'My Lagos'". The Nation Newspaper. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
- ^ Bankole, Idowu (10 July 2023). "Adewale Ayuba releases Amapiano version of his single 'Koloba Koloba'". Vanguard News. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
- ^ a b "Adewale Ayuba Plays The Drum For Nigeriafilms.com". Nigerian Voice. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
- ^ "Biography of Adewale Ayuba". Naija Beats. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
- ^ admin (27 July 2020). "ADEWALE AYUBA (MR JOHNSON)". Glimpse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 14 July 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
- ^ a b "I should have bought a jet by now – Ayuba". Ogun State Television. 14 February 2014. Archived from the original on 11 August 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
- ^ Pareles, Jon (19 April 1993). "Review/Music; A Nigerian in His American Debut". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
- ^ "Poor show, bad execution, but it's still Nigeria's best". pulse.ng. 23 December 2016. Archived from the original on 16 June 2019. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
- ^ "25th March 2025". Punch. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
- ^ Balogun, Olawumi (20 August 2021). "Adewale Ayuba Saliu Okeola: biography, age, family, net worth". TopNaija.ng. Retrieved 14 July 2022.