During the '80s, while King Sunny Adé was bringing juju music to the world, the popular fuji sound surged to squeeze out an equal share of Nigeria's massive pop market. All percussion and vocals, this Yoruba pop came dramatically to prominence with another great Nigerian musical rivalry, this time between bandleaders Sikuru Ayinde Barrister and Kollington Ayinla. Barrister, who remains on the leading edge, started out in 1965 singing were-songs used to rouse Muslims early in the morning during the holy season of Ramadan. He went on to mix in aspects of apala percussion and vocal songs and brooding, philosophical sakara music and emerged with a new style of music he dubbed fuji.

Younger fuji musicians continue to emerge and do well even as juju persists, and reggae makes strong inroads on the Nigerian scene. Abass Akande Obesere has recently emerged as a top contender, spicing his songs with obscene lyrics that young Nigerians love. Another up-and-coming fuji star, Sunny Tua (a.k.a. Sunny T.) had great success with his first release and now finds himself in demand for club shows. Most fuji musicians are Yoruba, but Sunny is Ibo, from the Rivers state in southeast Nigeria. While still young, he moved to the Lagos suburb of Ajegunle and he now incorporates much of the urban slang he learned there into his upbeat songs. Probably the top name in fuji after Barrister and Kollington, singer Adewale Ayuba has recorded internationally, touring in the US in 1993. His show features an orchestra of percussion, powerhouse chorus vocals, and dance moves bursting with youth energy. Since his triumphant return, Adewale shows off his newfound passion for an American pastime, pool. He racks up a few games (mostly losing) every Sunday before his weekly show at the Lagos club, Skindles. Other fuji artists of note include Easy Kabaka, Ejire Bonanza and Wasiu Ayinde Marshal with his talazo style.