Mayor Rasheed Ayinde Adekunle, also known as (Merenge) is a legendary and veteran Nigerian Fuji musician born on july 23rd 1963, He is known for revolutionizing Fuji music by incorporating modern sounds into the melody-which helped disseminate it across Fuji music audiences.
His professional career began in 1980, after he left his boss band and established his own music band, he was once a back up artist under late Ayinde majester Apanpa , his first musical album recorded and released in 1983 titled Owo( Money) under the record label of Alhaji Kamaldeen Oluyole records and while the second album was released in 1985 and third in 1986, he embraced Alhaji wasiu Talazo” Fuji style in 1984 after they met in 1983 in Ibadan .Rasheed Ayinde was born and brought up in Ibadan, he attended progressive day school Aladorin isale osi Ibadan, the same school attended by the Olubadan of Ibadan his imperial majesty Oba ( Senator) Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja( Arusa1) and Senator Sarafadeen Abiodun was his class mate in the same school.He is also a respected cultural ambassador and he has received so many recognitions, chieftancy title and awards.
Early life and career
Born in 1963 in Ibadan by late Alhaji&Alh Liadi Olalere of Ile Alaja, Ita Okoro, isale Osi Ibadan.
He showed a passion for music at age tender age, he has been so fantastic ever since then.
He started from “Were” while he was 13years of age with his twin brother to awake Muslims during Ramadan period, he joined late Ayinde Majester Apanpa at very tender age’ while he’s still in secondary school, he attended Baptist secondary Oke Ado Ibadan but he couldn’t finish his studies due to financial constraints.
He was once a “motor boy” with the likes late NURTW boss Alhaji Taofeek Oyerinde Fele before he ventured into music.
He joined the band of Ayinde majester Apanpa around 1978.
Musical career and impact
His first album was released in 1983 named Owo( Money),another one in 1985,Owo 2(money power) was released in 1986 and he has released over 40albums up till date.
Early 1990’s he created a new Fuji music style/ genre known as “Merenge” a lively style of musical genre, known as energetic, two beats rhythm which combines African and European influences, this music is characterized by simple side to side hip dance and solo classical genres. This innovation was introduced by Rasheed Ayinde Adekunle into Fuji music and it was embraced and emulated my many Fuji musical artists across the nation.
He had his first music travel tour in 1988 to France 🇫🇷 ( Paris), as the first amongst his contemporaries and the first Ibadan based Fuji musical artist to travel overseas to perform and ever since then, he has toured almost all the continents in the world, Africa, Asia,Europe, Uk, North America etc.
He’s known for known for signature blend in Fuji music,he’s considered as the master of his genre and he has several numerous accolades both home and abroad.
He’s known for his signature name OGO-IBADAN” he’s married and blessed successfully children. Mayor Rasheed Ayinde is known for his leadership style,humility, humbleness, integrity and professionalism.