Today marks the 79th birthday of King Sunny Ade, christened Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye, a two-time Grammy-nominated Nigerian musical legend whose career has become an object of study in brilliance, finesse, and daring accomplishments.
Born on September 22, 1946, King Sunny Ade has established himself as one of the most compelling and influential voices to ever come out of his generation and influence tens of generations to come. With a style so unique he took the crown for it, King Sunny Ade makes jùjú music that traps native music rigor and defies cultural sentiment with equal command.
King Sunny Adé first captured attention in Nigeria with his hit single “Challenge Cup“, released in 1967, hereby delivering him as a major force to be reckoned with in the Nigerian music scene. This also earned him the “King of Juju” title in the late 1970s, though, having been born into a royal family, his status as a Yoruba Prince also authenticates the title “King”.
However, his international breakthrough didn’t come until 1982 when Producer Martin Meissonnier introduced King Sunny Adé to Chris Blackwell, former record producer and founder of Island Records. Hereby facilitating the release of the album Juju Music under Island Records label.
This album and its immediate sibling, Synchro System released in 1983 which earned him his first Grammy-nomination in the Best Ethnic or Traditional Folk Recording category, are responsible for launching both King Sunny Adé and Juju music to a global exosphere.HIs second nomination however came in 1999 for the album ODU in the Best World Music Album category.
Perhaps, one of the most fascinating things about him is his prowess as multi-instrumentalist. Most efficient with the guitar and Keyboard, King Sunny Adé is also responsible for introducing percussion instruments like the talking drum, pedal steel guitar, synthesisers, clavinet and vibraphone into Juju music.
At 79, King Sunny Adé remains a youth, both in physicality and career-wise. He remains a symbol of possibilities and a testament to the relevance of dreams. Happy Birthday to the living legacy, happy birthday to the music legend, King Sunny Adé.