Popular Nigerian juju musician Yekini Kolawole Ajao, widely known as Y.K. Ajao, has passed away.
News of his death was announced on Friday night via an Instagram post by fellow musician Shina Peters.
Expressing his grief, Shina Peters described the late Ajao as more than a colleague, highlighting their deep personal bond.
“Still hard to believe. You weren’t just a friend; you were my brother. Prof. Y.K. Ajao, your sound, your spirit, your presence are unforgettable,” he wrote.
“Thank you for everything. I’ll carry the memories always. Rest well, my brother. Your legacy lives on, your music lives on, and you will never be forgotten.”
Ajao began his professional music career in 1973 at the age of 23, when he formed his band, Y.K. Ajao & His Professional Brothers Band. Rooted in the traditional juju genre, he later developed a unique substyle known as “Juju Makossa,” blending classic juju rhythms with a faster, more contemporary sound.
His contributions to the evolution of juju music have left a lasting imprint on Nigeria’s music scene.
