What is Fuji: A Opera Express?
Fuji: A Opera Express
Nigerian music over the decades has grown in its many genres. We have styles like Fuji, Apala, Juju, Afrobeat, Highlife, Sakara and many more. Fuji is one of the most popular genres of music out of Nigeria. It is a big part of the Yoruba music culture. It has gone on to see some of its biggest stars play on an international stage, while maintaining a loyal fan base in their home country.
How did Fuji Music Start?
According to wikipedia – It arose from the improvisational wéré music, also known as ajísari (meaning “waking up for sari”). Ajisari was a genre of music performed to wake Muslims before dawn during the Ramadan fasting season. Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister popularized wéré music during the 1950s and 60s and conceived the term “fújì” in an unusual way.
Some of its biggest start till date include; King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, popularly known as KWAM1, Abass Akande Obesere, Saheed Osupa. It also has Remi Aluko, Adekunle Malaika, and so many more. They have gone on the release hundreds of albums. They also continue to play sold out shows, so it is safe to say Fuji remains one of the most popular genres in Nigeria.
KWAM1
So What is Fuji: A Opera Express
According to its founders, Fuji: A Opera Express is a multi dimensional entertainment platform set up to deconstruct the Fuji genre from its enigmatic past. Its other goal is to re-image it for a new generation of fans. In a series of podcasts, Fuji: A Opera express features individual Fuji Musicians, discusses their history, style and music. It also features quizzes meant to engage younger fans and have them test their music knowledge.
Fuji: A Opera Express Quiz
There is no doubt that with the international mainstream rise of Afrobeat, which was mainly harnessed by the youth, this idea is a fantastic on. Also because a lot of cultural history is tied to the genre. Fuji: A Opera Express has a podcast that can be listened to on many platforms like iTunes, Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Facebook and more.
