Fuji musician Sulaimon Adekunle, known as KS1 Malaika, has responded to singer Small Doctor’s recent claim that Fuji music is dying due to a lack of new stars since Remi Aluko emerged.
TheNewsGuru reports that Singer Small Doctor had expressed concern over the decline of Fuji music, a popular Yoruba genre, noting that he believes the genre is “dying” due to a lack of new, rising stars.
Small Doctor, on X, noted that since Remi Aluko’s success in the early 2000s, he hasn’t seen another Fuji artist achieve similar fame.
He called for urgent action to revive the genre.
On his X handle, he wrote, “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 or seen another Fuji artist blow up.”
Responding in a lengthy Instagram post on Wednesday, Malaika disagreed with the ‘Penalty’ singer directly, noting that his take onFuji music lacked proper understanding.
Hi“My dear music son @iam_smalldoctor, I read your submission and understanding of Fuji Music, where you said after the emergence of Remi Aluko, there’s no other known Fuji musician and that Fuji is dying. Although everyone is entitled to freedom of speech and expression, let me educate you respectfully because it’s the genre of music I belong to and should know better than you,” he began.
He argued that Fuji’s limited presence in the mainstream media should not be mistaken for a decline in its relevance or growth.
“At least we have other genres of music, for example: Apala and Juju. If you say Fuji is dying, what will you say to them? Don’t also forget, a lot of hip-hop musicians are on Fuji tempo till date. If Fuji receives the kind of attention and support TV/radio stations accord hip-hop, Fuji music would go further and bigger. Despite the challenges, it remains highly formidable and threatens other genres of music,” he wrote.
Malaika emphasized that Fuji music has a deep cultural richness that outsiders often overlook. He noted that although the media does not cover the genre like they do with Afrobeats, it continues to support emerging talents.
“Fuji music is more detailed than your genre of music. Furthermore, we support our upcoming ones in our own way. Millions of people sing hip-hop also, but few are noticed. To become a star artiste is not by anyone’s power, knowledge or wisdom. Whatever someone chooses as a profession, you just need to continue doing it, and you will meet your target one day. I appreciate the fact that you said you stand to be corrected and also because we share a bond, hence my response.”