King Sunny Ade, an icon of all time — Olabode Omoyele
Public affairs commentator, Olabode Omoyele, has described juju music legend, Chief Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye, popularly known as King Sunny Ade, as an icon of all time whose music defined generations.
Olabode Omoyele, in a congratulatory message to celebrate KSA at 80, said the contribution of the two-time Grammy nominee to Nigerian music and culture remains unmatched.
He said this in a statement made available to newsmen on Friday.
King Sunny Ade, who clocked 80 on September 22, 2026, has spent over six decades on stage, taking juju music from local ceremonies in Ondo and Osogbo to global arenas following his historic signing with Island Records in the early 1980s.
“KSA is not just a musician, he is an institution. He is an icon of all time. He took our talking drum, our pedal steel guitar, our Yoruba proverbs and gave them to the world without losing their soul,” Olabode enthused.
According to him, what many of today’s Afrobeats stars are achieving with global tours and international record deals, KSA pioneered over 40 years ago with albums like Juju Music and Synchro System.
He noted that KSA’s influence goes beyond entertainment, describing his lyrics as a compendium of wisdom, morality and celebration of the Yoruba heritage.
He said, “For weddings, for chieftaincy installations, for naming ceremonies, there is always a KSA track. His music is a soundtrack to our lives. He taught us class, discipline and consistency, maintaining a 20-man band for decades, with choreography and showmanship that today’s stars still copy.”
The analyst also commended President Bola Tinubu, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and other well-meaning Nigerians who celebrated the legend on his 80th birthday, including the Ooni’s gift of a mansion in Akure to the music icon.
He prayed for longer life and good health for the juju maestro.
“At 80, King Sunny Ade is still active, agile and inspiring. May God grant him many more years in sound health to continue to give us everlasting melodies. Happy birthday to the Minister of Enjoyment, the King of Juju Music,” Olabode Omoyele added.
