By Alhaji Arems (Baba Fuji)
Hon. Samsodeen Ayinde Barrister calls for greater support for a celebration of his late father’s legacy, drawing comparisons with Felabration.
Hon. Samsodeen Ayinde Barrister, son of late Fuji music legend Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, has called on Fuji musicians to embrace BarryBration, saying greater collective support is needed to sustain the legacy of the pioneer popularly known as Barry Wonder.
In a Facebook post, Samsodeen questioned the willingness of Fuji musicians to support celebrations organised in honour of musical icons, using Felabration, the annual festival celebrating the life and legacy of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, as a point of comparison.
He questioned whether Fuji musicians who perform at Felabration do so for a fee or without charge, arguing that the event’s sponsorship and commercial opportunities could make it difficult to expect established performers to appear at similar celebrations without remuneration.
For Samsodeen, the issue extends beyond performance fees to the need for Fuji musicians to show greater commitment to preserving the memory of the figures who helped shape their genre.
He also credited King Dr. Saheed Osupa with first proposing the idea of BarryBration to the Barrister family, claiming that the plan did not materialise at the time because of what he described as unknown forces.
According to him, fans of Barry Wonder subsequently took up the idea, with their efforts resulting in successful celebrations held every two years. He commended the fans for their dedication to immortalising the late musician and sustaining his legacy.
Felabration, conceived by Fela’s eldest child, Yeni Kuti, in 1998, has grown into an annual week-long cultural event featuring musical performances and activities celebrating the Afrobeat icon’s life and influence. Its continued presence provides the context for Samsodeen’s appeal for a comparable level of commitment to the preservation of Fuji music history.
The Barrister family and the late musician’s admirers have continued to celebrate his contributions to the genre. Samsodeen’s latest message, however, places particular emphasis on the role Fuji musicians themselves could play in extending that commitment beyond individual tributes and fan-led initiatives.
While the question of performance fees remains part of the discussion, his central message is a call for greater industry participation in celebrating Barry Wonder’s enduring influence.
He concluded by praising the fans who have continued to champion his father’s memory, encouraging them to maintain their efforts and declaring that Barry Wonder’s legacy would live on forever.
For Samsodeen, embracing BarryBration means recognising the importance of honouring a musical pioneer whose contributions remain central to Fuji music’s history.
See Screenshot Below;
