Top 15 Richest Fuji Musicians In Nigeria [2024]

Fuji Music is one of the prominent music genres in the Nigerian music scape. The genre which metamorphosed from traditional waka and poetry as well as Islamic religious songs has grown to be one of the biggest sub-set in the Nigerian music industry. It has also grown to be a multi-billion-dollar industry, producing some of the richest musicians in the country. With that in mind,  we have compiled a list of the richest Fuji musicians in Nigeria.

Before delving into the list,  let us consider a brief history of the genre. Fuji Music was founded by Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister. He was also responsible for popularizing fújì by taking it all over the world. He started touring the European continent, during the 1970s and later the United States throughout the 1980s. During this period numerous fuji artists emerged, establishing the genre as one of the dominant musical genres out of Africa.

Unlike other genres of music, the majority of Fuji artists make the majority of their money from stage performances and shows. This is due to the nature of the genre and its audience.  Prominent Fuji artists like K1 de Ultimate are booked for performance almost every week of the year. He not only gets paid for every one of these performances but also earns more money from the guests, who are obligated to spray the singer for his performance.

Based on their yearly booked performance, endorsement deals, record sales, and investment, here are the richest Fuji Musicians in Nigeria.

1. K1 De Ultimate

Wasiu Ayinde Olawale Marshal popularly known as K1 De Ultimate is the richest Fuji musician in Nigeria, with an estimated net worth of ₦800 Million. He is generally known as the King of Fuji music for popularizing a brand of the fuji genre based on the work of the fuji creator Ayinde Barrister.

Wasiu discovered his interest in music when he was 8, and by the time he was 15, he had won various local musical competitions. He later became a member of Ayinde Barrister’s band, the Supreme Fuji Commanders from 1975 to 1978 after previously serving under him as an instrument packer. He also adopted the name of Ayinde into his name after seeking the permission and blessing of his master Ayinde Barrister.

K1 released his first album titled Iba with the special track ‘Abode Mecca’ in 1980, and thereafter, his most successful album Talazo ’84 in 1984. He has since then released several albums and performed several tours around the world prominently in North America and Europe.

2. Pasuma

Wasiu Alabi Pasuma popularly known as Pasuma takes second place among the richest Fuji musicians in Nigeria. The Oganla of Fuji has an estimated net worth of 700 Million Naira, according to a local report.

Pasuma started singing when he was in secondary school.  In 1984, he started writing songs, inspired by K1 De Ultimate. His first album  “Recognition” was released in 1993. He has since released over 30 albums, going on to become one of the most successful Fuji musicians in Nigeria.

Pasuma is notable for his collaboration outside the Fuji genre. He has also collaborated with several recording artists, some of whom are Bola Abimbola and King Sunny Ade. Aside from singing, he has also featured in several Nigerian movies such as Iyanje and Alenibare.

Just like many on this list, Pasuma is a recipient of numerous awards, he beat the likes of Olamide, Phyno, and Flavor to emerge the winner of Best Indigenous Artist of the Year at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards.

3. Obesere

Abass Akande Obesere popularly known as Obesere joins the list of the richest Fuji Musicians in Nigeria, with an estimated net worth of  ₦600 Million. He is the most prominent Fuji Musician who emerged in the early 90s.

Obesere who is also known as Omo Rapala forced his way into the limelight through his unusual music style and slang usage that threw his fans into a frenzy. His style of Fuji which was considered racy then, attracted a large number of young audiences.

Following the paths of other successful musicians such as Sikiru Ayinde Barrister,  Obesere has released over 20 albums and also has taken his brand of Fuji music all over the world. Aside from his musical ability, Obesere is also popular for his long-time rivalry  with K1 De Ultimate, which existed for most of his musical career,

4. Saheed Osupa

Akorede Babatunde Okunola also known by the stage name, Saheed Osupa is one of the richest Fuji musicians in Nigeria in 2023, with an estimated net worth of ₦500 Million. He was declared the “King of Fuji Music” by Ayinde Barrister, one of the major pioneers of the genre.

Saheed Osupa started music professionally as a teenager in 1983 as a fuji artiste. He released his first album titled Fuji Fa Disco and has since then released over 40 studio albums including a 4-in-1 studio album titled Mr. Music.

Saheed Osupa has been notable in the Fuji industry for his several feuds with other Fuji musicians, especially with Wasiu Alabi Pasuma and Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde. He and Pasuma battled for supremacy for several years, he released about 10 records addressing these feuds and they were all successful.

5. Sir Shina Peters

Oluwashina Akanbi Peters popularly known as Sir Shina Peters is a Nigerian Juju and Fuji singer and one of the richest fuji singers in Nigeria, With an estimated net worth of 500 Million Naira. He is one of the top artists who dominated the fuji and Juju scenes in the ’80s and ’90s.

Sir Shina Began his career, in music began at a young age when he played with friends under the handle Olushina and His Twelve Fantastic Brothers. He eventually left his twelve fantastic Brothers, joining numerous bands such the  Ebenezer Obey’s band and  General Prince Adekunle’s band, before eventually forming his own.

Shina left Adekunle’s Band to form Shina Adewale, a band with Segun Adewale. However, the duo soon split after releasing many albums together 1980s. Shina went on to form his band, “Sir Shina Peters & His International Stars”, eventually releasing musical albums that dominated the 90s and early 2000s.

6. Adewale Ayuba

Notable Fuji Maestro, Adewale Ayuba grabs the fifth place among the richest Fuji musicians in Nigeria in 2023, with an estimated net worth of ₦400 Million. He is also known as Mr. Johnson, and the Bonsue-fuji maestro began singing at the age of eight, singing at local musical competitions and fiestas in Ogun State.

Ayuba began his professional music career, releasing his debut album Ibere (Beginning) at the age of 17. Due to the commercial success of the Album, he rose rapidly in the Fuji music scene and signed with Sony Music (Nigerian) to record an album.

Ayuba’s 1991 album, Bubble brought him into international prominence. It was the first time in history that a Fuji Music album gained widespread recognition, topping music charts for six consecutive months and winning multiple awards at the Nigerian Music Awards (NMA). It also won Ayuba the coveted Artiste of the Year Awards, including the Album of the Year Award, Song of the Year Award, and Best Fuji Album of the Year Award—four in all.

7. Sule Alao Malaika

Sulaimon Alao Adekunle popularly known by his stage name Ks1 Malaika is one of the richest Fuji musicians in Nigeria, with an estimated net worth of ₦400 Million. He started playing and performing music from an early age in a Quranic school in Lagos, before forming his first Fuji band in 1983.

Malaika is notable for performing and dueting with various artists across different genres of music. He performed in the United States of America in November 1997 and had a great time as he thrilled in about 15 states before returning to Nigeria with multi-million naira musical equipment. His music has also been sampled by different artists in the Fuji and hip-hop scene.

8. Shefiu Alao

With an estimated net worth of ₦350 Million, Shefiu Alao popularly known as Omo Oko takes eighth place among the richest Fuji musicians in Nigeria, He began his career in 1982 singing Fuji on the streets without any hope of making it a full-time job.

Shefiu released his first album Kandoso in the early 90s and has since then released over 27 albums including Ojumo’re, the album that shut him into stardom. With his undisputable discography, Shefiu has taken his place as one of the biggest Fuji stars on the planet.

9. Muri Thunder

Muritala Ademola Salaudeen popularly known as Muri Thunder joins the list of the richest Fuji musicians in Nigeria in 2023, with an estimated net worth of ₦300 Million. He is one of the prominent Fuji artists that emerged in the 2000s and is notable for his unwavering consistency

Muri Thunder started his music career at the age of  7, singing Islamic songs in his Arabic school. He however diverted into Fuji music after a few years and has released two albums, which attained relative commercial success pushing him into prominence

Muri has since then released 21 other projects, including numerous albums and EPs. His most notable works include Gugugudu (2004), Inspiration (2007), Malay Experience (2017) and Mr Fuji (2017).

10. Sule Adio (Atawéwé)

Sulaimon Adio popularly known as Atawewe is popular and one of the richest Fuji Artists in Nigeria, with an estimated net worth of ₦300 Million. He was one of the prominent fuji artists that emerged in the early  90’s.

Atawewe spent the majority of his early career in obscurity performing at local events and concerts. He however attained prominence, following the release of his first album titled Facility in 1996. He has since then released other master hit albums like Ronaldo, One-a-one, Master Key, Combination, and Free World.

Like many on this list, Atawewe has taken his Fuji to many countries in Africa, Europe, America, and Canada. His 2014 projects titled “Atawewe Live in Madrid” and “Supremacy Night” featuring King Saheed Osupa are part of the most prominent fuji projects of the last decade.

11. Remi Aluko

Remi Aluko also known as the Igwe of Fuji is one of the richest musicians in Nigeria, with an estimated net worth of ₦250 Million. He emerged in the 90s along with popular Fuji singers such as Saheed Osupa, Pasuma, and many others and is most notable for his style of Fuji, which is a blend of street Hip Hop and classical Fuji

Remi Aluko began his professional music career at the age of 15. He however did not attain prominence until his first album, Celebration was released in the year 1995. He has since then released several albums, collaborating with some of the biggest names in the industry.

Some of the notable works in his discography include Indomie (2014), Inside Life (2019), and Brutality (2020). All of these albums attained relative commercial success in and outside Nigeria.

13. Taye Currency

Alhaji Taye Akande Adebisi popularly known as Taye currency concludes the list of the richest musicians in Nigeria in 2023, with an estimated net worth of 200 Million Naira.  Despite emerging in the 2000s. Taye Currency is still one of the most relevant fuji artists in recent time

Taye Currency began his career at the early age of 17 with the support of his mother, he formed a band called “Currency Band” alongside his twin brother and manager Rahmon Akilapa. He has since then released 13 studio albums, with his debut album Millennium released in 2008.

Taye since his debut has grown into one of the biggest Fuji Forces in the country. His notable albums such as London Birthday (2013), Message (2016), and Favor and Achievements (2017) are on the list of the most critically commercially successful Fuji albums of this generation.

13. Sunny Melody

Sunday Adeola Ogunyemi popularly known as Sunny Melody is a UK-based, Nigerian indigenous  Fuji musician. He is one of the notable stars that emerged in the 2000s and is presently one of the richest Fuji musicians, with an estimated net worth of  ₦200 Million

Sunny Melody began his career as a member of the school music band (OSU MELODY), while at Olabisi Onabanjo University. He eventually formed his band after his National Youth Service in 1999 and traveled to the United Kingdom in 2000 to establish a stable music career.

Sunny has recorded four albums, including Oyato (2003/2004), On the Dance Floor (2005/2006), Pasunnyfication (2008/2009), and Greater Heights (2013/2014).  All of which have attained relative commercial success. He made his debut concert at the prestigious Vortex Jazz Club.

14. Shanko Rasheed

Atanda Adekunle Rasheed popularly known by the name Shanko Rasheed joins the list of the richest Fuji musicians In Nigeria, with an estimated net worth of ₦150 Million.  He is one of the prominent Fuji stars that emerged in the early 2000s, popularly known for hit single, “No Doubting”

Shanko gained prominence after releasing his first album Shanko (The First Album) in 2002, He since then released numerous hit singles such as Watimagbo featuring OMO Adugbo,  Action featuring Small Doctor, and Double Up.  He recently released a live album titled Makavelli Records Birthday.

15. Oyama Azeez

Gafaru Azeez Omogbolahan popularly known as Oyama Azeez, rounds the list of the richest Fuji Musicians in Nigeria, with an estimated net worth of ₦100 Million.  Oyama began his career as a child, performing in local events shows, and Carnival all around Lagos.

As an upcoming star he earned the title; of Professor of Fuji Music, because of his vast knowledge regarding the genre.  Since attaining prominence Oyama has released four albums: Quality Time, Kick Off, Real Fuji, and his most recent Fuji School of Music. all of the albums attained relative commercial success

Oyama is no doubt one of the leading acts of the recent generation of Fuji musicians. According to the report, His music has transcended beyond the shore of Nigeria, selling greatly in Europe and America.

 Top 15 Richest Fuji Musicians in Nigeria [2023/2024]

FAQs

Who is the richest Fuji Musician in Nigeria

Wasiu Ayinde Olawale Marshal popularly known as K1 De Ultimate is the richest Fuji musician in Nigeria, with an estimated net worth of ₦800 Million. He is generally known as the King of Fuji music for popularizing a brand of the fuji genre based on the work of the fuji creator Ayinde Barrister.

Who is richer between Saheed Osupa and Pasuma?

According to the reports above, Pasuma has an estimated net worth of ₦700 Million, while Saheed Osupa has an estimated net worth of ₦500 Million. Based on their estimated net worths, Pasuma is richer than Saheed Osupa with just ₦200 Million. 

How much does Pasuma collect per show?

Based on an Opera news report, Pasuma makes an average of ₦4 Million per show. Also due to the fact, this genre of music is associated with Nigeria’s money-spraying culture, singers like Pasuma tend to make more than the agreed amount for a show. According to reports, a Fuji Singer can go home with as much as ₦10 Million depending on the social status of the people he is performing for. 

Who is the most educated fuji musician in Nigeria

Adewale Ayuba also known as Mr. Johnson is the most educated fuji musician in Nigeria. The veteran Fuji Singer is known for his educational qualifications.  Before his career as a fuji Singer studied Architecture at the Ogun State Polytechnic in Abeokuta.

Following the success of his career as a Fuji Singer, Ayuba began to acquire numerous degrees. He acquired a diploma from the University of Lagos and an associate degree from Queensborough Community College in New York. Aside from the said degrees he also has a Ph.D. in waiting.

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