3101 Media’s ‘Fuji: A Opera‘, a week-long showcase to deconstruct fuji music from “its enigmatic past and reimagine it for a new generation of music fans and culture lovers”, commenced Tuesday at the Alliance Francaise, The Mike Adenuga Centre, Ikoyi.
Fuji icon, General Ayinla Kollington, who revolutionised the genre in the 1970s by introducing Bata drums, was among early viewers of the exhibition, a major component of the programme.
Accompanied by friends and staff, General Kollington was walked through the exhibition by the creator of the event, Bobo Omotayo. He chronicled the genre by offering anecdotes on its history, much to the satisfaction of General Kollington whose smile went with slight nods of the head.
Regally dressed in green and white, the ‘Ijo Yoyo’ crooner moved from piece to piece, and regularly gave positive remarks on the exhibits.
One of the day’s major highlights was Kollington’s acknowledgement of the late Sikiru Ayinde Barrister as the creator of Fuji and himself as a close second in that hierarchy.
As soon as he finished viewing the exhibits, Kollington sat briefly for an interview and answered every question with a unique burst of warmth and grace.
Apart from the exhibition, ‘Fuji: A Opera’ will also feature an artist’s talk tagged ‘An audience with KI De Ultimate & other Fuji Icons’. The duo and others will talk about the genre’s past. They will also throw light on the present and offer insights to help reimagine the future of Fuji music.
Participants at the two-hour event would have the opportunity to listen, ask questions and network with others who share similar expectations at the session in partnership with the Fuji Musicians Association of Nigeria.
Fuji: A Opera’s grand finale is a live music showcase, an invitation-only live set- featuring King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall and Saheed Osupa. The duo will treat guests to a fantastic evening of fun and appreciation of Fuji.
