Ayinde Barrister

Biography

Sikiru Ololade Ayinde Balogun , MFR, (9 February 1948 – 16 December 2010) better known by his stage names Ayinde Barrister and Barry Wonder, was a Nigerian-born Yoruba singer-songwriter, music performer and producer. He is regarded as a pioneer of Fuji and Wéré music. After his first break into music in 1965, Ayinde Barrister went on to release over 70 studio albums. In 2024, the first episode of The Fuji Documentary, titled "Mr. Fuji: Barry Wonder," which chronicles his life and career, was released by director and producer, Saheed Aderinto.

Early life

Ayinde Barrister was born on 9 February 1948, to the family of Salawu Balogun, a trader from the Dakeja compound, Ayeye, Ibadan. His father was a butcher.

Education

He had his early education at Muslim Mission School and the Model School, Mushin, Lagos. He later studied typing and other commercial courses at Yaba Polytechnic.

Career

Ayinde Barrister started playing music at a young age as an ajiwere singer during the period of Ramadan; he continued playing music in between various jobs. He worked as a typist for Nigerian Breweries and was later enlisted as a clerk in the Nigerian Army during the Nigerian Civil War. He served in the 10th Brigade of the 2nd Division of the Nigerian Army under Colonel Adeniran and fought in Awka, Abagana and Onitsha. After the war, he was posted to the Army Signals Headquarters, Apapa, and later to the Army Resettlement Centre, Oshodi. He left the army to become a full-time musician and established a 34-member band of percussionists and vocalists called the "Supreme Fuji Commanders".

Music career

In 1966, Ayinde Barrister released his first LP record. At the time, he regularly played with his band at events around Ebute Meta and Lagos, mostly for Muslim clients. He initially released records under the label African Songs Ltd before starting his own label, Siky-Oluyole Records. The LP's released under African Songs include Ile Aiye Dun Pupo/Love in Tokyo (India Sound) (1976) and Isimillahi (1977). By the early 1980s, Ayinde Barrister and Fuji music had become accepted by all religions in the country. He went on to release several albums under his label, including Iwa (1982), Nigeria (1983), Fuji Garbage (1988) and New Fuji Garbage (1993). His later works included the popular album Reality (2004). In 1982, he had a publicised feud with fellow fuji singer, Ayinla Kollington.
Ayinde Barrister had a couple of successful shows in London in 1990 and 1993 performing what later became known as the Fuji Garbage sound.

Musical style

His fuji music is a blend of earlier traditional musical genres such as Apala, Sakara, Awurebe and others. With Fuji music, Ayinde Barrister revolutionised traditional Yoruba music while still projecting values of good behaviour, respect for elders and the struggles against life's forces. He often used his music as a tool for commentary on issues of national concern, particularly politics. He was also known for his praise-singing skills.