Veteran Fuji Musician Love Azeez Buried in Lagos at 81
Abdul Azeez Oladeji, a veteran Fuji musician popularly known as Love Azeez, has been laid to rest in Ojodu-Berger, Lagos State, following his death at the age of 81.
The respected singer reportedly passed away on Wednesday evening at his Lagos residence after a brief illness.
His death was confirmed by the General Secretary of the Fuji Musicians Association of Nigeria (FUMAN), Adekunle Abiodun, in a Facebook post.
Family members, friends, colleagues, and admirers gathered on Thursday to pay their final respects in accordance with Islamic burial rites.
In his tribute, Abiodun prayed for the deceased, saying: “May the Almighty Allah grant him eternal rest and comfort his family, friends, fans, professional colleagues and well-wishers over this irreparable loss.”
Among those present at the burial were former Chairman of the Copyright Society of Nigeria, Tony Okoroji, and Fuji artiste Musibau Alani, who currently serves as Vice President of FUMAN. They joined members of the association and other Fuji musicians in honouring the late entertainer.
Love Azeez was regarded as one of the pioneers of Fuji music and played a significant role in the development of the genre, which emerged in Lagos in the 1960s and later gained widespread popularity through the efforts of Fuji icon Ayinde Barrister.
Beyond his musical career, he also served as President of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria in 1989 and later headed COSON.
Throughout a career spanning several decades, Love Azeez remained a respected figure in the Fuji scene and was admired by lovers of traditional Yoruba music for his distinctive vocal style and authentic sound.
He was widely known for songs such as Ijapari, Barrister & Kollington’s Fight, and Alarape.
In a past interview, the late singer revealed that his musical journey began in Agege, Lagos, where he performed Wéré music before transitioning into Fuji, a move that helped shape his enduring legacy in Nigerian music.
