KING SUNNY ADE THE LEGEND!: Cultural Values & Philosophies Behind a Genre of African Music

African arts have found a fortress in Nigeria from time immemorial. Obviously, many things are embedded in African music. Indeed it is safe to aver that he who wishes to appreciate and enjoy the splendor of African arts must start from reading about the life and time of African artistes, their contributions to the liberal arts, and the pristine significance of such contributions.

Quite a great number of African artistes have striven hard to showcase African arts to the world through their God-given talents and unflinching efforts. Unarguably, in the realms of musical and entertainment arts, no doubt, is King Sunny Ade, one of the greatest artistes that have ever come out of the African continent, who leads the sparkling Band, The African Beats from Nigeria, the largest and most populous Black nation in the world. This artiste has through his Juju genre of music, in the last five decades, showcased the beauty of African entertainment arts to the entire world, including Europe, Asia, and America especially with his ever-sparkling live performances. He has titillated the Kings and the Lords, the rulers and the ruled, the high and the mighty. KSA’s over 300 albums for which he has won several international accolades and awards across the globe give a vivid picture of the development of contemporary Nigerian music.

King Sunny Ade The Legend! is an exposé on a musical Titan. Aside from becoming an internationally sought product, his music, over time metamorphosed from being mere entertainment music to freedom-music, which often identifies the societal foible, lacunae in governance styles, contemporary problems, etc. Quite often the world renowned music maker has always offered alternative suggestions and tickled the ears of the ruling class, sensitizing those at the helms of governance to make amend for the benefit of the ruled. King Sunny Ade whose musical art works had attracted the eminent attention and comments of many world renowned leaders, including the former United States’ President Bill Clinton was rated by a credible British Magazine as one of the 100 greatest guitarists in the world.