King Sunny Ade: ‘My Best is yet to Come’

Rebecca Ejifoma

As renowned juju music legend, King Sunday Adeniyi, joins the club of septuagenarians, he has debunked the rumour that he is retiring from music. He said rather that his best is yet to come as he takes music to be the air that he breathes.

Speaking during a press briefing organised by the Association of Friends in Lagos recently to kick-off activities to mark his birthday, which came up on September 22 this year and is still being celebrated nationwide and around the globe the music legend said that although he doesn’t appear regularly on stage that does not mean he is quitting music.

“No musician can retire from music. Music is in the blood. And whenever I am called to perform, God gives me the grace to give the people what they desire. I have the blessings of God and I believe my best is yet to come,” he noted.

Known for his jigs and twists of the 80s, KSA (King Sunny Ade), as he is popularly known, remains evergreen even after many years of music. His age and looks stand firm even as he clocked 70 years of age last September.

The Fuji music artiste who revealed that he has written a book titled, ‘My Life, My Music’, added, “I’m still singing and even though I may leave the stage soon, I will continue to record music.” Speaking further, KSA said, “It was rumoured that I was retiring. To my fans that false news was like a time bomb. I received over 3000 letters, asking me to explain what I meant by retiring.”

KSA whose church parish, the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Head Quarters, Ebute-Meta, Lagos, had held a special vigil to commemorate his 70th birthday, had his children hold a special party on September 22 while his wives also organised a special fiesta for him on September 24.

The highpoint for this celebration will be a special mass where 70 children will sing and play varying kinds of instrument with a blend of creative dance at the RCCG Head Quarters, Ebute-Meta, Lagos come October 30.

KSA also revealed that as the celebration continues, the Oni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, will hold a special lecture for him at the University of Ife after which the music legend will dine with the king at his palace on same day while his birthday will be celebrated on October 30 across the world. The association will celebrate him as a member of ASSO on December 11 in Lagos during which over 30 Nigerian gospel artistes will sing the Fuji artiste special songs.

The President of ASSO, Prince Isiaka Adedeji, said KSA’s endowment, jigs, twists, strength and stamina have no duplicate. “We are happy to be associated with him. In this club, he is determined to do whatever is necessary to help both members and non-members and has contributed immensely to the association,” he added.

While KSA turns 70, his band, The African Best, will turn 50 on December 10. Also he has plans to regenerate Fuji music into young minds. Part of his efforts to achieve this he said was the launch a radio station, Music and Culture (M&C) FM two months ago, adding that he would establish an archive, where all his hits can be found.