Even if you were not born in the 70s or 80s, there is no way, especially if you a lover of Juju music, that you wouldn’t have heard about Uncle Toye Ajagun or his hit LP ‘Magbe Magbe’, a musical artwork released in 1976 and has remained popular up till today. Uncle Toye Ajagun and his Olumo Sound Makers Band dominated the scene in those days. Toye Ajagun, born Olutoye Alimi Adisa Ajagunjeun in Abeokuta, Ogun State, is not just a Juju musician but one with a landmark record in the industry. He has several albums to his credit.
Interestingly, that Juju music icon of those years is still very much around and not ready to quit the music scene not even at 80. Yes, Uncle Toye Ajagun is now 80. He clocked 80 March 5, 2025. So it’s the consistent vitality and great achievements in his field that caught our attention and informed the decision to speak with Uncle Toye Ajagun. He really opened up to City People’s DARE ADENIRAN (08057639079) on his private life and music career. Read the excerpts of our chat with the veteran juju musician…..
You recently clocked 80, what did turning 80 feel like for you? Were you excited or afraid of getting old?
Interesting! It’s as if you saw my heart. I started having some kind of apprehensive feelings about 6 months to my birthday. I have never experienced such feelings before. I became worried if I was going to be 80. I can’t explain what was responsible for it but that was how I felt. My children wanted to celebrate my 80th birthday after the Ramadan. But I insisted on celebrating it on the exact date even if it’s just within my compound. People are already familiar with the date so whether I invite them or not my house is always full on the date every year. On the day, I went out to buy drinks to entertain people by myself. But by the time I came back my children and children-in-law have commenced the merry merry with lots of food and drinks. We thank God that He spared my life to witness the day in good health.
After the in-house party, the Oyo State chapter of the Association of Juju Musicians of Nigeria (AJUMN) also honored me. They organized a surprise birthday party for me at the NUJ Press Centre, Iyaganku GRA, Ibadan. I was just told to dress well for a festival not knowing they had their plans. In fact, I didn’t go there with anyone for you to know that it was really a surprise party.
Immediately I got to NUJ gate, people started hailing me as the birthday celebrant. I was like I celebrated my birthday 3 months ago. People had already gathered inside the hall, our members as well as other guests were fully on ground. I was so happy. I really appreciate my dear members of AJUMN both in Nigeria and abroad for their thoughtfulness and kind gestures. I pray that they will all grow old too. All of us will not have cause to regret at the end of everything. My sincere appreciation also goes to Dr. Seye Kehinde for being there always. He has always been in touch with me.
How did you feel about the surprise party and what lesson did you derive from it?
It meant a lot to me. And it simply means we should always be good. I have been part of the music association since 1973. Thank God I have not done anything that could tarnish my name. I’m a member of the Board of Trustees at the national level. Apart from that, the association in Ibadan has never left me. I love them too, both young and old. I don’t normally sit where my mates are seated. I always love to mingle with the younger ones. That is why I will rebuke it immediately if you call me daddy. They call me Uncle Toye Ajagun and I love it that way.
What lesson or lessons has life taught you at 80?
So many things. I have learnt some great lessons about life. We learn everyday. Don’t also forget that no man is an Island of knowledge. That is what life is all about. Life is full of ups and downs. But if one can endure, God will definitely see you through. I thank God for everything. I’m married, I have children. In 2024, I lost a 48-year-old child. He was a Shepherd in Celestial Church. He had even celebrated the 10th anniversary of his church before his death. Before then I lost my first daughter. She died in 2011. So I have seen a lot but in all, I give glory to God.
Is there anything about you that you’re hoping to stop now that you are 80?
Nothing. I have always been cheerful. I love to be around people. I don’t discriminate. I’m contented with what God has blessed me with. I decided over ten years ago to put my faith solely on God. You know we musicians always run around for protection and all. Because it is highly competitive out there I must be honest with you. I’m sure it so in other sectors too. We believe that before you can thrive in the industry you have to be fortified. It now depends on individuals how they go about it. But for me, I’m standing solidly with my God.
When and how did find your way into the music industry?
I started my music career in 1962.
Was it something you really wanted to do or it came by accident?
It’s a profession I love so much. I had not started primary school when my father died. I started living with my mum thereafter in Abeokuta. But my mum’s father came one day and said that I must go to school. So he took me to Meran in Lagos State. It was a village then but it has now turned to a big town. I started my primary education at Meran United School. I completed it in 1959. I went from there to Mushin, where I began my youthful days. It was there I was enrolled as an apprentice in house painting and decoration. Before then they had also enrolled me at the Ansa-ud-deen Secondary Commercial School. But I couldn’t further due to obvious reasons. There was no support from anywhere. So I settled for handiwork. It was from there I met my boss, Idowu Animashaun, the Apola King. He’s now a Reverend. He used to passed through the front of our house all the time. I approached him and pleaded with him to take me to where he used to go to with guitar hanging on his neck. That was how he took me along and my music career began. We started together at The Bango Pillar Orchestra in Ogunmokun Street, Mushin, Lagos. We left to form a band called The Savannah Brothers’ Band led by Augustine Ajiboye. Idowu Animashaun was the assistant to Ajiboye then. Later we also assembled ourselves to form Lisabi Brothers’ Band because of those of us that were Abeokuta indigene then. I was then the assistant to Idowu Animashaun till we moved to Abeokuta in 1968. We again relocated to Ibadan in 1970 after the war. I have been living in Ibadan since then. I later left my boss after seven years with him. I became independent with his blessings and support. I left him in 1971 but couldn’t find my feet until 1973.
So which was your first album after leaving the Apola King?
My first album was in 1975. It was titled ‘Da Temi Lare’ but was changed by my fans to ‘Iya-iya-ra-riya’. It was the first song that pushed me forward. I recorded the second one and the third one was ‘Magbe Magbe’ that finally shot me to the limelight.
What has kept you relevant in the music industry?
I went through the process as far as Juju music is concerned. I was also able to identify the music talent in me at the early stage. So I have built on it over the years. Thank God for His grace.
If you should compare the music industry when you started and now, what has changed?
A lot. Technology wasn’t this advanced when we started. You know world is evolving. But most importantly, we were doing music for the passion. Of course, everybody loves money but it was never our priority then. Now many find their ways into the music industry as means of survival. What motivated people like myself was those names that have made it before us-their popularity and their legacies.
