History is the surgeon of existence. Anything that wants to prevent itself from extinction has to be documented.
As such, with the decline in practitioners of Fuji, compared to the meteoric growth of Afrobeats and Hip-Hop genres, Prof. Saheed Aderinto steps forward as its audio-visual historian who has brought forth all academic-surgical instruments and mastery to explore the origins, evolution, and essence of Sikiru Ayinde Barrister’s Fuji music in a riveting manner.
We thought Sikiru Ayinde Barrister had died, but through a blend of evocative storytelling and a dazzling directorial style, enclosed in a 1-hour 58-minute and 46-second video clip, Aderinto resurrects the brilliance of Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, reintroduces us to the Fuji pioneer’s unparalleled artistry, and at the same time, buries him in our minds.
There is a similitude between the creator of Fuji, late Sikiru AYINDE Barrister, and Prof. Saheed Aderinto.
Aside from the fact that they are both sons of Ibadan, their creative genius and energy wouldn’t allow them rest until it’s captivatingly birthed. Prof. Saheed Aderinto has the tenacity of a tiger and the courage to roar his work to life like a lion, just as Sikiru Ayinde Barrister belched out socio-political commentaries and other lessons in his songs without caring whose ox was gored.
The clear visuals, crisp sound, and seamless narrative transitions make the documentary not only engaging but also educational.
Equally, the meticulous nature of the work and its situation in the colour of the genre of (cultural) music it belongs to was manifested in its being shot in libraries, museums, galleries, archives, art centers, universities, and private homes and public events, all of which attest to the diligence of Prof. Aderinto and brought out the excellence in the work.
One of the defining qualities of a great documentary is its ability to include relevant individuals and elements that lend authenticity and depth to the narrative.
It would be as unscholarly as it is irrelevant to ask a shoemaker to explain the mechanics of a Mercedes-Benz engine. Prof. Aderinto masterfully avoids such missteps by assembling an impressive array of voices directly connected to Sikiru Ayinde Barrister and ensured that the documentary remains both credible and engaging.
From Aderoju Yekini, a band captain and lead drummer for Barrister, to Samsondeen Balogun, Barrister’s son, whose insights gave a unique familial perspective, the documentary carefully weaves together accounts from those closest to the Fuji legend.
Elder Dayo Odeyemi, a retired journalist and author of a book on Barrister, delivers in-depth commentary in his signature calm tone, while the late Easy Sawaba, a Fuji practitioner and one of Barrister’s earliest mentees, vividly recounts the artist’s life and music while echoing Barrister’s style in his own delivery.
Further adding richness, Otunba Adisa Osiefa, Barrister’s close confidant, shares intimate details of the man behind the music.
The narrative also benefits from contributions by figures like Otunba Wale Ademowo (entertainment journalist and music historian), Mr. Tunde Busari (journalist and author), Pele Tajudeen (a band member), and legendary Fuji artists like Alhaji Shefiu Alao and Alhaji Rashidi Merenge. The inclusion of Alhaja Salawa Abeni (a renowned Waka singer) and Mr. Abiodun Ayeni (Barrister’s sound engineer) further cements the documentary’s comprehensive approach.
Crowning these contributions is General Kollington Ayinla, a pioneering Fuji artist and Barrister’s long-time rival, who offers detailed accounts of their professional rivalry, including the famous Bisi Ajala saga.
Who else could better regale us with stories about the life and legacy of Sikiru Ayinde Barrister? Unless we were to summon a necromancer to retrieve insights from the late MKO Abiola.
This documentary leaves no stone unturned in its quest for authenticity and completeness.
I have always been an admirer of the use of a narrator in artistic works, as it brings a sense of originality and coherence to storytelling.
A narrator serves as a pivotal element in literature and film, acting as the lens through which the story is filtered.
Their presence and unique characteristics profoundly shape the storytelling process and influence the audience’s engagement, interpretation, and overall experience.
In The Fuji Documentary, Saheed Aderinto skillfully employs female narrators (himself included) to transition seamlessly between phases of the narrative and chronicle the life and legacy of Sikiru Ayinde Barrister in a captivating manner that eliminates any hint of monotony.
Aderinto further enriches the documentary with a cultural touch by incorporating a poetic performance (chanter) in praise of the late creator of Fuji.
Each scene is complemented by a fitting Barrister song or track that is seamlessly integrated to enhance the storytelling. Prof. Saheed Aderinto’s work gives us a multifaceted approach that combines the skills of a journalist, critic, cinematographer, historian, entertainer, and academic to produce a comprehensive and compelling piece.
Spoiler alert: While the documentary excels in many areas, I would have loved to see interviews with one of the top three Fuji stars of the moment—Pasuma, Osupa, or King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (K1).
I understand the Professor’s significant efforts to meet with K1 faced challenges, but it is worth noting that K1’s inaccessibility is influenced by certain individuals around him, whose questionable traits hinder his approachability. Despite this limitation, the inclusion of Alhaji Shefiu Alao bridged generational gaps within Fuji music and provided valuable insights.
For this, Professor Aderinto deserves commendation for his thoughtful and scholarly sense of balance.
The documentary provided answers to numerous pressing questions regarding the creation and evolution of Fuji, rivalry in the music industry, the business politics ofmusic promotion, and many more.
In wrapping up, The Fuji Documentary is a tour de force that blends academic rigor with artistic flair. Professor Aderinto’s ability to weave cultural history with personal narratives makes this work an invaluable resource for understanding Sikiru Ayinde Barrister’s Fuji’s legacy.
As Nixon wrote in his memoirs, “history affects us more than we affect history.” War made Roosevelt, slavery minted Lincoln, suffering sainted Mother Theresa, apartheid gave us Mandela, but Saheed Aderinto made THE FUJI DOCUMENTARY.
Folorunso Fatai Adisa is a communications strategist with a Master of Letters (M.Litt) in Media and Communication from the University of Strathclyde, United Kingdom.
He writes from Glasgow and can be reached at folorunsofatai03@gmail.com.
Views expressed by contributors are strictly personal and not of WITHIN NIGERIA
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