Adewale Ayuba
Adewale Ayuba | |
|---|---|
Ayuba in 2015 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Mr. Johnson |
| Born | 6 May 1966 Ikenne, Ogun State, Nigeria |
| Genres | |
| Occupations | Singer-songwriter, drummer, dancer, writer, artist, actor |
| Years active | 1983–present |
Adewale Ayuba ⓘ(born 6 May 1966), professionally known as Mr. Johnson, is a Nigerian Fuji singer.[1]
Early life and education
Ayuba was born on 6 May 1966 in Ikenne, Ogun State, Nigeria. At eight years old, he began singing at local music competitions and festivals.[2][3]
After completing his education at Remo Secondary School in Sagamu, Ayuba began pursuing music professionally.[4][5] He later enrolled in Queensborough Community College in New York, where he earned a diploma in Financial Accounting, and subsequently obtained a Doctor of Arts degree in music from Bradley University.[6]
Career
In 1983, Ayuba released his first album, Ibere ("Beginning"), in the genre of Fuji music.[7][8] In 1990, he signed with Sony Music Nigeria.[9] The following year, he released his second album, Bubble.[10] The single of the same name topped music charts for six months and won several awards at the Nigerian Music Awards (NMAs),[11] including Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Fuji Album of the Year.[12]
Ayuba went on a U.S. tour in several states, including an appearance at the New Orleans Jazz Festival.[13] During this period, he was awarded the "Key to the City" of Providence, Rhode Island.[14] LA Weekly reviewed his Los Angeles debut, describing the performance's sound as "compelling" and "powerful."[15]
On returning to Nigeria in 1993, Ayuba released Bubble D through Premier Music, which received several awards at the Fame Music Awards and remained on music charts for several months. He recorded in the U.S. in 1995, later performing at the 1996 Summer Stage Concerts in New York, the Africa Mondo Concerts (1996–1997), the New Orleans Jazz Festival (1997), the International Festival in Houston (1997), and during BET's 1997 Jazz USA Concert.[16] Ayuba later signed with the U.S.-based Q-disc Record Company, after which he released Fuji Time in 1996, followed by Fuji Dub on London's Agogo Music label in 1997.[6]
In 1998, he released Acceleration (Corporate Music), followed by Turn Me On in 2000, earning Best Fuji Album of the Year at the Awards for Musical Excellence in Nigeria and Best Song of the Year at the Nigerian Song Festival 2000. The same year he toured England, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Belgium.[16]
In 2003, Ayuba toured Europe and recorded the collaborative album Fuji Satisfaction with the group BANTU, which won Best Group in West Africa and Best Group in Africa at the Kora Music Awards. He also received the Millennium Voice of Nigerian Music award from the Omo Oduduwa Association in Düsseldorf, Germany.[16][3]
His album Mellow (2007) won Best Fuji Vocal Performance at the AMEN Awards and topped Nigeria's contemporary African charts.[3][8]
Personal life
Ayuba is married to Azukaego Kwentoh and they share seven children. He and Kwentoh met at Queensborough Community College while studying and were married in 1989.[17]
Artistry
On 25 March 2025, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, joined other well-wishers around the world to celebrate Adewale Ayuba on his 60th birthday.[18]
Other ventures
In 2013, Ayuba enlisted his longtime stylist and fashion designer to launch Bonsue Wears. Ayuba frequently wears traditional Yoruba attire, such as the shokoto and bubba ensemble, during performances. The Bonsue Wears collection includes a two-piece design with a shirt-like top, wide sleeves, and pants that gather at the knees.[19]
Discography
Studio albums
| Date | Title |
|---|---|
| 1986 | Ibere |
| 1991 | Bubble |
| 1992 | Mr. Johnson Play For Me |
| 1995 | Fuji Music |
| Move Up | |
| 1996 | Fuji Time |
| 1997 | Fuji Dub Lagos-Brooklyn-Brixton |
| 1999 | Acceleration |
| 2001 | Turn Me On |
| 2003 | Gun Shot |
| 2004 | Ijo Fuji |
| 2005 | Mellow |
| 2011 | Formula |
| Ariya | |
| 2013 | Formular |
| Sugar | |
| 2023 | Fujify Your Soul |
| 2024 | Ise Oluwa |
Singles
| Date | Title |
|---|---|
| 2023 | "Koloba Koloba" |
| "Uncommon" |
Honors and awards
| From | Award/Honor | Date |
|---|---|---|
| HEN Foundation[20][21] | ||
| Kora Awards[22][23] | Best Group in Africa | 2005 |
| Providence, Rhode Island[24] | Key to the City | |
| Nigerian Music Awards[25][26] | Artist of the Year | 1993 |
| Nigerian American Community Association, USA[27] | Entertainer of the Year | 2004 |
| The Headies[28] | Performer | 2016 |
References
- ^ Festime.net. "Adewale Ayuba Festivals 2021". Festime. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
- ^ "ADEWALE AYUBA A.K.A MR. JOHNSON | Downtown Arlington, TX". downtownarlington.org. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ a b c Music, FujiNaija (2 April 2020). "Adewale Ayuba Biography - Net Worth, Age, Songs & Album". FujiNaija. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
- ^ "ADEWALE AYUBA A.K.A MR. JOHNSON | Downtown Arlington, TX". downtownarlington.org. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
- ^ Music, FujiNaija (2 April 2020). "Adewale Ayuba Biography - Net Worth, Age, Songs & Album". FujiNaija. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
- ^ a b kunleben (25 November 2021). "Adewale Ayuba Biography: Age, Wife, Songs, Net Worth". 360dopes. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
- ^ "ADEWALE AYUBA A.K.A MR. JOHNSON | Downtown Arlington, TX". downtownarlington.org. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
- ^ a b "May 6: Adewale Ayuba clocks 54 today | Duke International Magazine". 6 May 2020. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
- ^ "ADEWALE AYUBA A.K.A MR. JOHNSON | Downtown Arlington, TX". downtownarlington.org. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
- ^ Nation, The (23 August 2017). "Adewale Ayuba releases 'My Lagos'". The Nation. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
- ^ Bankole, Idowu (10 July 2023). "Adewale Ayuba releases Amapiano version of his single 'Koloba Koloba'". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
- ^ "Adewale Ayuba Plays The Drum For Nigeriafilms.com". Nigerian Voice. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
- ^ Premium Times https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/music/704926-why-i-relocated-to-america-converted-to-christianity-adewale-ayuba.html?tztc=1. Retrieved 18 February 2026.
{{cite news}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ "Biography of Adewale Ayuba". Naija Beats. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
- ^ "ADEWALE AYUBA A.K.A MR. JOHNSON | Downtown Arlington, TX". downtownarlington.org. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
- ^ a b c "ADEWALE AYUBA: Mother Told Me Not to Feel Like King at Stardom". Creekvibes... best designed magazine in Lagos. 12 December 2020. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
- ^ Music, FujiNaija (2 April 2020). "Adewale Ayuba Biography - Net Worth, Age, Songs & Album". FujiNaija. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
- ^ "25th March 2025". The Punch. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
- ^ Balogun, Olawumi (20 August 2021). "Adewale Ayuba Saliu Okeola: biography, age, family, net worth". TopNaija.ng. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
- ^ admin (27 July 2020). "ADEWALE AYUBA (MR JOHNSON)". Glimpse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 14 July 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
- ^ Reporter, Our (14 October 2018). "Ayuba to bag Afroglobal Excellence Award". Nigerian Tribune. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
- ^ "Adé Bantu feat. Adewale Ayuba - Fuji Satisfaction - Piranha Records". www.piranha.de. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
- ^ Adeboboye, Tope (10 October 2006). "The Ayuba Story". iNigerian.com. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
- ^ "May 6: Adewale Ayuba clocks 54 today | Duke International Magazine". 6 May 2020. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
- ^ Pareles, Jon (19 April 1993). "Review/Music; A Nigerian in His American Debut". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
- ^ "AYUBA ADEWALE". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
- ^ "May 6: Adewale Ayuba clocks 54 today | Duke International Magazine". 6 May 2020. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ "Poor show, bad execution, but it's still Nigeria's best". pulse.ng. 23 December 2016. Archived from the original on 16 June 2019. Retrieved 16 June 2019.