– By Alhaji Arems (Baba Fuji)
As the calendar flips toward 2026, it’s time to reflect on the past year’s dynamism in the Fuji music landscape. For the artists on this list, 2025 wasn’t quiet — it was a full-throttle season of music, movement, bookings, and buzz. From veteran icons to emerging talents, they’ve kept the core of Fuji pulsating. Here’s a look at the eleven acts — referred to as the first Eleven9ja Fuji artists — who upheld the genre’s legacy this year.
A Firm Line-Up — Diversity, Legacy, And Rising Fire
• OSUPA and K-1 remain pillars of the contemporary Fuji scene. Their consistency in live shows and the studio continues to reinforce Fuji’s hold in clubs, events, and private parties across Nigeria.
• Obesere, Pasuma, Malaika, Shina Akanni and Sefiu Alao represent the bridge between Fuji’s golden era and modern reinvention. Their ability to stay relevant while appealing to younger audiences ensures that the genre evolves without losing its roots.
• At the same time, talents such as Taye Currency, Atawewe, and Igwe Remi Aluko injected fresh energy into Fuji in 2025. Their recent releases and frequent bookings suggest a growing appetite for new flavors within the tradition.
• Rounding up the list is Tiri Leather — came in as a new entry building momentum. With steady booking calendars and grassroots fan engagement show that Fuji’s future remains fertile and expanding
More Than Just Noise — What Defined Their 2025
2025 was not just about more performances or tracks. These artists navigated a landscape fraught with distractions — controversies, shifting entertainment-industry dynamics, and evolving audience tastes — and still delivered. Despite the noise, they managed to keep Fuji not only alive but relevant.
They reminded fans and critics alike that Fuji isn’t only nostalgic rhythms or nostalgic crowd pulls. This year, the genre resonated at high-profile events, corporate gigs, weddings, and social functions, reaffirming its role as a go-to for live energy, cultural expression, and sheer musical vibrancy.
Moreover, for the newer names, 2025 represented important groundwork — building fanbases, honing their sound, and proving that Fuji can adapt and grow. For the veterans, it reinforced their status as blueprint bearers for what Fuji stands for.
*Gratitude to the Patrons*
Behind every live show, every rooftop or hall full of dancers, every streaming play — there is patronage. To the clients, event planners, night-life promoters, and fans who continue to support these artists — a sincere salute. Their bookings, engagements, and unwavering interest provided the oxygen that allowed these musicians to thrive despite turbulence.
2026 — What’s Next? Hope, Expansion, And Global Dreams
If 2025 proved one thing, it’s that Fuji is far from static. Heading into 2026, there’s reason to believe this could be a breakout year for the genre. Key expectations :
• Expanded fanbases — deeper penetration within Nigeria, wider resonance across the African diaspora.
• More media spotlight, including digital platforms and possibly international collaborations.
• Higher-value bookings, larger concerts, and better production output.
• Perhaps, one day soon, a full-blown Fuji showcase at a major international venue — say, a concert at a landmark arena abroad. Why not?
Fuji’s story is alive, resilient, and evolving. The eleven artists above are proof that the genre refuses to fade with old-school tropes or one-hit nostalgia. Instead, they continue to push Fuji forward — with showmanship, consistency, creativity, and dedication.
And as the scene grows, 2026 is already shaping up to be a more inclusive year. A new generation of female Fuji voices — Barritide, Abebi Ayala, Fatimo Cindarella, and Tosin Eniba — are steadily carving their own lanes. Their presence adds colour, fresh energy, and a different texture to the Fuji landscape, and they’re definitely names to watch out for as the genre expands.
With the artists, the fans, and the patronage all moving in sync, Fuji remains not just a genre, but a movement — one that’s gearing up for an even brighter 2026.