Fuji maestro Sikiru Ayinde Barrister has died, aged 62. The Yoruba music star passed away at St. Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London. His son, Barry Showkey, was too distraught to comment when contacted earlier today. Barrister's brother, Gani Abiodun, confirmed that the musician passed away at 8am this morning.


Fellow Yoruba musician and President of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Dele Abiodun had this to say on Barrister's passing: "It is painful, we are all mourning. The industry is mourning. God did it as it pleased Him (Bo se wu Olorun lo se nkan e)." The PMAN President further added that Barrister "was truly sick, but we hoped he would survive and get out of it." He sent his condolences to the late Barrister's family, saying, "We should immortalise him. Personally, this is the saddest day of my life. I was close to him for 30 years. It is very painful."

Born Sikiru Ayinde, the musician, a veteran of the Nigerian Civil War, was (along with Ayinla Kollington) one of the two greatest exponents of Fuji music, who did much to popularise the genre. At the height of his fame, Barrister headed a 25-piece band, the Supreme Fuji Commanders. He cut over 40 records, among them ‘Fuji Garbage'.