Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has celebrated legendary Nigerian juju musician, King Sunny Ade, as the acclaimed artiste marks his 80th birthday.
In a birthday message issued on Tuesday, Aiyedatiwa described the musician, whose real name is Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye, as a distinguished son of Ondo Kingdom and one of the state’s foremost cultural ambassadors.
The governor said KSA, as he is fondly called, had used his music to promote the cultural heritage, identity, language and traditions of the people of Ondo State while taking Nigerian juju music to audiences across the world.
“As a distinguished son of Ondo Kingdom and one of the foremost cultural ambassadors of Ondo State, you have carried the rich heritage, identity and traditions of our people to audiences across Nigeria and the world,” Aiyedatiwa said.
He added that KSA’s musical career had earned him international recognition while helping to preserve and promote Nigerian cultural values.
“Through your remarkable musical career, you have not only attained global recognition for juju music but have also remained a great promoter of our culture, language and values,” the governor said.
Aiyedatiwa said the musician’s contribution to Nigeria’s music industry and his influence on successive generations of artistes had secured his place in the country’s cultural history.
“Your 80th birthday is, therefore, a great honour and a significant milestone worthy of celebration. It is an opportunity to acknowledge not only an exceptional musician, but also an illustrious son of Ondo Kingdom whose life and achievements have brought honour to our State and enriched Nigeria’s cultural heritage,” he said.
Born on September 22, 1946, King Sunny Ade began his musical career in the 1960s and formed his own band in 1967, which later became known as the African Beats.
His breakthrough on the international music scene came after he signed with Island Records in the early 1980s.
His albums Juju Music and Synchro System helped introduce his distinctive blend of Nigerian juju music to wider international audiences.
Juju Music also spent 29 weeks on the US Billboard 200.
Synchro System, released in 1983, earned King Sunny Ade a Grammy nomination for Best Ethnic or Traditional Folk Recording at the 26th Grammy Awards in 1984, making him the first Nigerian artiste to receive a Grammy nomination.
He received a second Grammy nomination years later for his album Odu, which was nominated for Best World Music Album at the 41st Grammy Awards in 1999.
As he reaches 80, the musician’s career spans more than six decades and includes a significant role in taking Yoruba-rooted juju music beyond Nigeria and into the global music landscape.
Aiyedatiwa’s tribute places particular emphasis on that cultural connection, portraying KSA not only as an internationally recognised musician but also as an important representative of Ondo’s cultural identity.
