The Nigerian music industry has been thrown into mourning following the death of veteran juju musician Prof. Y.K. Ajao.
Naija News reports that the cause of his death has not been made public, but messages of condolence have started pouring in from colleagues and fans within the entertainment and cultural space.
One of those who reacted is Afrojuju star, Sir Shina Peters, who spoke about the late singer as someone very close to him. He shared that Ajao was more than just a friend, describing him as a brother whose impact through music and personality would remain in memory.
He also noted that the memories they shared would stay with him, adding that Ajao’s work and legacy would continue to live on.
Ajao was born in Iseyin in the South-West region of Nigeria, where he developed an early interest in music. His journey began when he joined a band in Ibadan before moving on to start his own group, known as Y.K. Ajao and His Professional Brothers Band. Over time, he built a name for himself in the juju music space.
He gained wider attention with the release of Makosa Series 1, a project that brought him into the spotlight as juju music was growing and changing. He later released other works such as Makosa Series 2 and Vigilante, which helped push the genre further both within Nigeria and beyond.
During his career, he also received recognition from King Sunny Ade, who honoured him with a ceremonial title at a major event in Lagos at the peak of juju music’s popularity.
Beyond performing, Ajao was known for combining music with academics, using his knowledge to support the growth and preservation of traditional Nigerian sounds.