Damendra celebrates 20 years on stage, set for West Africa tour

Fuji music is Nigeria’s gift to the music world. The genre, which emerged from the improvisational Ajisari/were music tradition, is a kind of music performed to wake Muslims before dawn during the Ramadan fasting season, was made popular by the late Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister.

This genre of music, traditionally, was an Islamic type, played by the Muslim children in Yorubaland to wake the faithful for fasting or Suhur during Ramadan period. However, over the years, the genre has grown to attract artistes from across the divide, even drawing support from Christian devotees.

Mayor Tunde Damendra is one of the stars of this genre and its biggest performers in Lagos and Southwest of Nigeria.The uniqueness of this group has distinguished them from others. He told The Guardian, “with fuji musicians sounding more and more alike any musician, who wants to standout must be unique.”

Damendra, a protégé of Bonsue Fuji creator, Dr. Adewale Ayuba, said, “my pattern of music is quite different from others, because I don’t copy any musician’s style. This has made me standout among my contemporaries.”

The group, which is set to celebrate its 20 years on stage in December, is currently basking in the euphoria of its recently released album, House to House, which is enjoying rave reviews and commendable airplay.

The dark-complexioned fuji star has performed in a lot of shows and was recently guest of Amititi Radio, an Eko FM show. While enjoining his teeming fans to continue their support for him, he said, “plans are afoot for a tour of West Africa as part of the anniversary celebrations.”