Popular Nigerian juju musician Yekini Ajao is dead.
His death was announced in a statement posted on Shina Peters’ Instagram page on Friday night.
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The 67-year-old described the late Y.K Ajao as a brother whose sound, spirit and presence would not be forgotten.
He thanked the singer for the memories they shared, noting that he would always carry them with him.
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“Still hard to believe. You weren’t just a friend, you were my brother. Prof. Y.K. Ajao, your sound, your spirit, your presence; unforgettable.
“Thank you for everything. I’ll carry the memories always. Rest well, my brother. Your legacy lives on, your music lives on, and you will never be forgotten”, Peters wrote.
Great loss
His death was also announced in a statement made available by the Ajegunle Juju Musicians’ Association of Nigeria (AJUMN), Lagos State chapter.
Neither AJUMN nor Peters disclosed the cause of Y.K. Ajao’s death.
AJUMN described the singer’s passing as a great loss to the Juju music community and the wider society.
“With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of Legendary Yekini Kolawole Ajao, popularly known as Professor Y.K Ajao.
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Details regarding his burial arrangements and other important information will be communicated as soon as they are made available to us. May his soul rest in perfect peace”, the statement read.
Y.K Ajao
The late singer was born in Iseyin, Oyo State, and began playing music at the age of nine.
He was widely regarded as the creator of Juju Macosa and, in a 2013 interview with the Nation newspaper, said his musical journey had been inspired by listening to the late I.K. Dairo.
He explained that after listening to Dairo’s songs, he decided to pursue a music career.
Y.K. Ajao trained as a fashion designer under Josy Ade in Iseyin and as a nurse under Gbolahan, also in Iseyin.
He later quit both professions and relocated to Lagos in 1971, where he joined a band led by Captain R. Ade.
After leaving the band, he formed his own group, Y.K. Ajao, in December 1973.
His first album, “Soromi Dayo”, gained modest attention, but he rose to prominence with “Macossa Series 1.”
He was also known for songs such as “Makosa Series 2” and “Vigilante”, “Akoni Mamu Gege”, and “Oro NEPA”, among others.
