Celebration as King Sunny Adé turns 70

Popular Jùjú music maestro, Sunday Adeniyi popularly known by his stage name King Sunny Adé, celebrates his 70th  birthday Thursday.

He was born on September 22^nd, 1946 in Oshogbo, Nigeria, into a royal family in Ondo state, Nigeria.

Adé began his musical career with Moses Olaiya’s Federal Rhythm Dandies, a highlife band. He later left the group to form his own band, the Green Spots in 1967 before renaming it African Beats, after various issues with song recorders.

King Sunny Adé is a worldwide known musician, popularly known by his dexterous dancing steps and mastery of the guitar as well as his sensational way of singing. He is fond of using Gangan (talking drum), sekere, Bata, and other Yoruba culture drums.

The Jùjú music legend is a composer, multi-instrumentalist and a pioneer. He introduced various types of instruments into Jùjú music, such as the pedal steel guitar, clavinet, vibraphone, tenor guitar, synthesizers and many more, making Afro music more enticing to people.

K.S.A. as has also won a lot of awards in the music industry, both internationally and locally, for inspiring young musicians, his contribution to world music, as well as being the first African to be nominated twice for the Grammy Award in the folk/ethnic category.

Adé’s success in pursuing his dream has inspired over thousands of young Nigeria artist over the years. His musical life has changed the mind of many and paves way for other rising Afro-pop artist such as Lagbaja who is known for using saxophone, Yoruba culture drums and other orchestral instrument.

Sunny Adé’s songs have also made Nigeria Popular all over the world, making him a good ambassador of the country. Being a contemporary musician, he has used various sensational songs to promote and introduce the Yoruba culture to millions of people all over the world.

Having released more than 100 albums over the years, sold more than 200,000 copies each and also collaborated with top Nigeria musicians, he could be address as one of the most prolific musician in African.