ADEWALE AYUBA ( Mr Johnson ) Wikipedia

 Adewale Ayuba (born May 6, 1966, and commonly known as Mr. Johnson) is a Nigerian singer renowned for his contributions to Fuji music.

Early Life and Education

Ayuba was born in Ikenne Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria. From a young age, he was recognized for his singing talent, and by the age of eight, he was already performing in local music competitions and fiestas in Ikenne. This early exposure to music influenced his decision to pursue it as a career after completing his secondary education at Remo Secondary School, Sagamu, Ogun State.

Although he gained admission to study Architecture at Ogun State Polytechnic in Abeokuta, Ayuba's passion for music took precedence. At just 17, he released his first album, Ibere (Beginning), which rapidly propelled him into the Fuji music scene. In early 1990, Ayuba signed with Sony Music (Nigeria) and released the album Bubble in 1991. This album brought him international recognition, becoming the first Fuji album to achieve widespread acclaim, topping music charts for six consecutive months and winning multiple awards at the Nigerian Music Awards (NMA). Ayuba's success with Bubble marked the pinnacle of his career in Nigeria.

Ayuba's innovative use of high-tech instrumentation and his unique voice revolutionized Fuji music, attracting the Nigerian elite, who had previously overlooked the genre. Following the success of Bubble, Ayuba released another hit album, Mr. Johnson Play For Me (also on the Sony Music Nigeria label), in 1992. This album was another instant success. In 1993, Ayuba signed with Premier Music (Nigeria) and embarked on his first West Africa coast tour, performing in several African countries. The tour's success led to his first U.S. tour later that year, where he performed in over ten states, including a standout performance at the New Orleans Jazz Festival. He was also honored with the Key to the City of Providence, Rhode Island, by the mayor after two successful concerts there. His Los Angeles debut was well-received, with C.C. Smith of Los Angeles Weekly Magazine praising Ayuba's music as a compelling and powerful blend of rhythm and the human voice, resulting in an energetic and colorful performance.

Upon his return in 1993, Ayuba released another chart-topping album, Buggle D, on the Premier Music (Nigeria) label. This album gained even more recognition than Bubble and won multiple awards at the Fame Music Awards, remaining at the top of the music charts for several months.