The death of Dayo Kujore, Soko Music exponent attracted a torrent of emotions across the industry during the week. His demise just three weeks after his wedding to his sweet heart, rocked the music scene. Below are tributes from music stars and industry chiefs:
EVANG (PROF) EBENEZER OBEY-FABIYI
The sudden death of Dayo Kujore is a big shock to me. Dayo was a wonderful Musician that I thought will be one of those who will uphold Juju style of Music after l am gone. From His years with Prince Adekunle, he was just too good. My condolences to His wife and children. I am short of words at the moment. May God rest his soul and grant us the fortitude to bear this great loss.
By Bimbo Esho
I was at a meeting somewhere in Surulere this afternoon when a friend called me to ask me if I heard the news of Wonder Dayo Kujore’s death. I was in great shock because I remembered I chatted with the great icon few weeks ago, discussing about an event our company, Evergreen Music and National Theatre was putting together in December.
Immediately after my friend dropped, I put a call through to his number to authenticate the news. The woman who picked his phone didn’t allow me to talk and she said straight away, “Aunty Bimbo to to Ni nkan ti E Fe be re (Aunty Bimbo what you want to confirm is true). The woman introduced herself as his wife and said he has been ill. I suddenly noticed her voice faded away as I presume she must have been in shock like the rest of us.
The news of his death is touching because WonderDayo Kujore is just coming back to limelight after a long break from music. I remember with nostalgia the day I sent him his picture, taken from an album sleeve from our archive. He told me he was just 18 years old in the picture and he reminisced how he received tutelage under Prince Adekunle before forming his own band.
Little did I know it will be his last supper when our company decided to give him a recognition award for his contribution to Juju music at an Elders Forum event tagged, FAAJI AGBA EKO held at Up Asso Club in 2020. So hard to forget his gratitude that night, and his contagious gentle mien and how he kept calling me by my Oriki.
His song, Wisdom released last year has continued to receive massive airplay on radio and frequently performed by some new generation Juju acts. The Abeokuta – born musician who would have been 64 in April, will be sorely missed by all in the entertainment industry and his legacy will continue to stand the test of time.
SAMBA QUEEN, STELLA MONYE
Dayo kujore is one of the juju artistes of the 80s/90s that I consider great and talented in his dance juju music. He came out nice. I loved his simplicity; he was not too loud but played good music to the point of recognition I was excited when I was told he will be part of the evergreen thriller Bandz show. We will miss him may his gentle soul rest in peace.
CHARLES DUKESON, OKOSUNS, MANAGER, SONNY OKOSUNS
Shocking to hear of Dayo Kujore’s death. He was a humble Repeatable Gentleman worth Emulating. May his soul rest in peace.
MCSN CHAIRMAN, ORITS WILLIKI
Well, it was a very rude shock to me. I was with a colleague when i saw his photo, and was like hey, Dayo, and l asked a friend where could this guy been all these years? I didn’t read the article at the bottom, until my friend said, Wao! Pupa, the guy is late!! I then started reading the story. I will say it’s a sad loss to the industry as you may have noticed, we are losing too many of our greats lately. God help us.
SULAIMON ADEGBENRO, PRESENTER, CONSOLIGBADUN, MITV
We went everywhere less than a year ago facilitated by Kola Ogunkoya. We were warmly received by the good people of the Nigerian broadcast industry. We promised some people that we would come back to honour their invitation because the time was not enough to feature on everybody’s program.
I always had it in mind that we would have been able to fulfil those promises this year. You made me an unofficial manager. You trusted my opinion on our common interest (music). You took me as your brother from another mother.
You were quick to call me ‘brother mi’ in your own voice. It’s been really hard for me to believe you’re gone. Contrary to what some writers have published as your age, you told me the very last time we saw (November 20, 2021), without prompting that your last birthday was 68 years.
I was wondering why you revealed the information to me because we were all saying you were 65 in the interviews that were held before that time. Now I understand even when you didn’t show any sign of fatigue. You were always full life and youthful as ever. You would have clocked 69 years this April 2022.
You probably knew it was going to be our last meeting. To say that I will miss you is an understatement. Not seeing your usual chat messages and calls are surely hurting me already. I went blank since I received the news of your demise. I hope I’m being coherent now because putting words together about your departure has been the most difficult task I have faced in a longwhile. Adieu Uncle as I always call you. Keep resting in the Lord.
COSON CHAIRMAN, CHIEF TONY OKOROJI
Dayo Kujore has done his bit. He gave music his all and joined the world to welcome the Year, 2022. The Almighty has asked him to come home because he has run his race. My condolences to his fans, family and friends. May his soul rest in peace.
DEACON TUNJI ODUNMBAKU, GM, EBENEZER OBEY MUSIC CO
It’s a rude shock to all of us. We never heard that he had any terminal ailments or that he was sick and hospitalized. You can then imagine the devastating effects of his sudden death.
Wonder Dayo Kujore was indeed a beacon of hope for the survival of the Juju music genre given his versatility and experience as a great composer and entertainer.
No doubt, he will be greatly missed by all lovers of soulful music.
DR DAYO OLOMU, LEADERSHIP COACH, LONDON
Tribute to Wonderful Dayo Kujore
I received with great shock the news of the death of one of Nigeria’s greatest juju musicians, the Soko exponent, Wonderful Dayo Kujore.
I met the juju music maestro, who created the Soko brand of Juju Music in 1991 when he released the album, Super Jet. I was then the Promotions Manager of Premier Music (formerly Polygram Music). He said to me that he started playing the guitar when he was 10 years old. His dexterity on the guitar earned him the nickname, Wonder Boy.
A wonderful soul, master guitarist and great composer. He would be remembered as one of the pioneers of modern juju music. His contributions to the growth and development of juju music cannot be forgotten.
His death is not just a big loss to his family but to the music industry in general. My heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family. I pray that the Almighty gives his family the strength to bear this irreplaceable loss. May his soul rest in peace.
Discussion about this post