The Evolution of Lagos Sound…Faaji Music

By AjikeOkin

Faaji music has been in existence in Lagos since the days of the British imperialist way back in the 20’s. Its origin can be traced to musical forms like Kokoma, Early Juju Root Music, Agidigbo, Sakara, etc .

Musicians like Domingos Justos, Abibu Oluwa ,Togo Lawson, Tunde King, Irewolede Denge, Baba Kokoro, Ambrose Campbell, Ayinde Bakare, Julius Araba, Adeolu Akisanya, Tunde Nightingale etc were at the forefront of this form of music which dominated the Lagos social circle in the early 30’s, 40’s. Some of these musicians worked during the day and later became itinerant musicians at night.

Popular Lagos spots like Bamgbose, kakawa, Ita Faaji, Campos were dominated with what was popularly known as “Faaji Music” and was usually performed indoor and outdoor.

Faaji music was the toast of both Lagos socialites and grassroots as the songs were always embedded with wealth of messages about social – economic and political happening, fashion trends, dance styles, festivals, etc These songs were mainly played using traditional musical instruments like Bongos, Maracas, Talking drum, Agidigbo, Sakara drums, Goje, Tambourine, Omele, Gbedu, etc

Some examples of Faaji music can be found in the early recordings of one of the pioneers of Juju music Tunde King who used his music in 1930 to celebrate the ascension of King George VI. Another example of faaji music is a song titled “Won ti sewa jina “composed by Togo Lawson in the 30’s where he lampooned the British imperialist for non salary payment of staff workers of the railway.

We also had other popular faaji musicians like Fatai Rolling Dollar who sang a song titled “ Atari Ajanaku” where he eulogise the political juggernaut Chief Obafemi Awolowo shortly after his release from prison.

Other popular Faaji music can be found in songs sang for few popular Lagos socialites like Chief J.K Randle, Mobolaji Johnson, Herbert Macaulay.

The purpose of this write-up is to let my readers know that many of today’s music had their roots from the evolution of Faaji music which has today gradually metamorphosed into other musical variants like Fuji, Highlife, Afro and more.