REDEEMED’S KUNLE AJAYI SAYS FELA INFLUENCED HIM

Kunle Ajayi, a Nigerian gospel singer, songwriter, saxophonist, televangelist and Director of Music at the Redeemed Christian Church of God has said that the late Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, influenced his saxophone passion.

He said this in a recent interview while revealing his he settled his desire for education and become a professional in his field of specialisation.

“I used to visit Fela’s Shrine around Mosalashi in Mushin a lot as a young boy. He would come out with his saxophone and pants and play to the delight of the fans. I fell in love with the way he played the instrument.”

“Then later, I developed lung problem and I promised God that if He could heal me, I would blow it for Him. I had been ill from age 15 and by the grace of God, I was healed years later and that was how I picked up the saxophone to appreciate God for saving my life.”

“Fela influenced me a lot and was a major inspiration for me taking up the saxophone. Fela blew the instrument with passion and from the first day I set my eyes on him, I fell in love with him and the saxophone. I am happy I have been able to live that dream through the amazing grace of God.”

Kunle Ajayi was born in June 1964 in Mushin, a local government area of Lagos State, the administrative division of Nigeria, located in the southwestern part of the country.

He formed a band called ‘The Ambassador’ with his group of friends and produced his very first album. He later married his wife at The Apostolic Church Idioro, Mushin. He was ordained as an assistant pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in 1991 and later became a full pastor in 1997 having completed a one-year program at Faith Bible College.

He later studied music at Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, ijanikin. He later proceeded to the Royal College of Music in London where he obtained a certificate in music.

He attended Mushin local council primary school Idioro for his primary education before he proceeded to Eko Boys High School where he obtained the West Africa School Certificate. After leaving high school he went to Ijanikin where he studied music.

He started playing musical instrument particularly, saxophone in the early 1980s but stopped due Lung-related ailment that almost resulted in the damage of his larynx.

He has contributed significantly to Nigerian gospel over the years and he is currently the Director of Music at the Redeemed Christian Church of God. In recognition of his immense contributions to gospel music in Nigeria, he was bestowed with the Award of Excellence by the Redeemed Christian Church of God in 2007 and in 2008, he received the “Leadership award in Nigeria music”.

To properly account for his success and his incessant pursuit of excellence in the Gospel Music industry, Ajayi on January 21, 2018, celebrated his 30 years on stage with a music concert at the prestigious Eko Hotels and Suites.