Veteran Fuji singer, Alhaji Sulaiman Alao Malaika, has clapped back at Small Doctor over a comment suggesting that Fuji music is dying due to its alleged failure to produce new stars since the days of Remi Aluko.
Small Doctor, in a recent interview, lamented the state of the genre, claiming it has not birthed any major acts in recent years.
“Since the emergence of Remi Aluko, there has been no other known Fuji musician,” he said, sparking outrage among Fuji loyalists.
Malaika, in a strongly worded response, addressed the Afrobeat artist directly:
“My dear music son @Smalldoctor, I read your take on Fuji music and I must say I disagree. There are many Fuji musicians who emerged after Remi Aluko and are doing excellently well both home and abroad,” he said.
He added that Fuji’s limited visibility in mainstream media isn’t a reflection of its relevance or growth.
“If Fuji got the same level of attention radio and TV give to hip-hop, it would be much bigger today. Despite the odds, Fuji remains a strong, formidable genre—one that even influences many hip-hop tracks today.”
Malaika didn’t stop there. He reminded Small Doctor that Fuji music has depth and history, and that it continues to support its rising stars in ways that may not always be visible to outsiders.
“Fuji music is more detailed than your genre. And while millions sing hip-hop, only a few break out. Stardom is not by power or wisdom—it’s about consistency and grace.”
He further emphasized that genres like Apala and Juju have faced even steeper declines in mainstream attention, yet remain culturally significant.
Fuji, according to him, still commands a massive, loyal audience, especially among the Yoruba-speaking population across Nigeria and in the diaspora.
Malaika also used the opportunity to preach unity across music genres, noting that the strength of Nigerian music lies in its diversity.
“Whether it’s Fuji, Hip-hop, Apala or Afrobeat, we are all ambassadors of our culture. Rather than downplay a genre, let’s amplify each other.”
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