"Fuji Music Is Dying" — Small Doctor Sounds Alarm Over Decline of Iconic Yoruba Genre
Nigerian street-pop sensation Adekunle Temitope, popularly known as Small Doctor, has raised concerns over the fading presence of Fuji music, a genre once considered a cultural powerhouse in the Yoruba music scene.
Taking to his X (formerly Twitter) handle, the singer didn’t mince words:
“I stand to be corrected. I feel Fuji music is dying and something needs to be fixed urgently… After the blowing up of Remi Aluko and the likes in 2001 or 2002, I haven’t heard nor seen another Fuji artist blow up.”
Small Doctor’s statement has sparked debate online, reigniting questions about the state of a genre that has deeply influenced Nigerian music for decades.
Fuji music, which evolved in the 1960s from the Ramadan-season genre wéré/ajísari, was given its name by the legendary Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, who saw the music's potential to rise as high as Japan’s Mount Fuji. Since then, icons like K1 De Ultimate, King Saheed Osupa, Pasuma, and Obesere have carried the torch, making Fuji a staple at parties, ceremonies, and even in political rallies.
Yet, according to Small Doctor, the newer generation has failed to produce a breakout Fuji star in over two decades.
Our Take:
Small Doctor's comment isn't an attack — it’s a wake-up call.
Fuji hasn't lost its relevance; it has merely lost its momentum. The genre remains a spiritual source of rhythm and storytelling, and its DNA is still present in the works of pop artists like Olamide, Asake, Seyi Vibez, and Qdot, who borrow its melodies and cadences. But what’s missing is a new face fully representing Fuji on the frontline — an artist who lives, breathes, and evolves the genre while still honoring its roots.
It’s time for industry stakeholders, fans, and emerging artists to look back, dig deep, and revive what was once Nigeria’s most vibrant sound. Fuji doesn’t need to die — it needs to evolve and be reintroduced to a global audience.
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