Wasiu Alabi Odetola (Pasuma) (born 27 November 1967), also known as "Oganla", "Gauzu Fuji", "Ijoba Fuji" is a

Fuji music Fújì is a genre of Yoruba popular music that emerged in Nigeria in the 1960s. It evolved from the improvisational wéré music also known as ajísari (meaning "waking up for sari", performed to awaken Muslims before dawn during the fasting s ...

ian,

Nigerian Nigerians or the Nigerian people are citizens of Nigeria or people with ancestry from Nigeria. The name Nigeria was derived from the Niger River running through the country. This name was allegedly coined in the late 19th century by British jo ...

film actor An actor (masculine/gender-neutral), or actress (feminine), is a person who portrays a character in a production. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, and television. ...

Early life

He was born on 27 November 1967 and is originally from Edunabon-Ife in

Osun State Osun (; ), is a state in southwestern Nigeria; bounded to the east by Ekiti and Ondo states for 84 km and for 78 km respectively, to the north by Kwara State for 73 km, to the south by Ogun State for 84 km and to the wes ...

. and spent his childhood and part of his early adulthood in Mushin,

Lagos State Lagos State (, ) is a States of Nigeria, state in South West, Nigeria. Of the 36 States of Nigeria, Nigerian states, Lagos is the second List of Nigerian states by population, most populous state but the List of Nigerian states by area, smallest ...

. He was raised by his mother, Alhaja Adijat Kubura Odetola, also known as Iyawo Anobi, whom he frequently acknowledges in his music as a significant source of support.

Career

Pasuma began writing songs in 1984, drawing inspiration from his role model K1 De Ultimate, who released the album ''Talazo 84'' that same year. Encouraged by the positive reception of the album, Pasuma went on to release his debut music album in 1993. Pasuma released his album ''Recognition'' in 1993. Since then, he has released over 30 albums and established himself as a prominent figure in the

scene in Nigeria. Pasuma has collaborated with various recording artists, including Bola Abimbola and

King Sunny Ade King is a royal title given to a male monarch. A king is an Absolute monarchy, absolute monarch if he holds unrestricted Government, governmental power or exercises full sovereignty over a nation. Conversely, he is a Constitutional monarchy, ...

. In addition to his music career, he has appeared in several Nigerian films, such as ''Iyanje, Gangs of Lagos'' and ''Alenibare.'' On 6 September 2015, he was named Best Indigenous Artist of the Year at the

Nigeria Entertainment Awards The Nigerian Entertainment Awards were established in New York City in January 2006. The awards recognize the contributions of African entertainers with a special focus on Nigerians. Ceremonies * 2006 Nigeria Entertainment Awards * 2007 Nigeria ...

, surpassing artists like

Olamide Olamide Gbenga Adedeji (born 15 March 1989) is a Nigerian rapper, singer, songwriter, and record executive. He is regarded as one of the most influential artists in Nigeria and Africa and has been crucial to the creative and commercial succe ...

Phyno Chibuzo Nelson Azubuike (; born 9 October 1986), who is known professionally as Phyno, is a Nigerian rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer. Phyno was born and raised in Enugu State but is a native of Anambra State. He started his musi ...

, and Flavour. In 2020, Pasuma released the album ''MMM (Money Making Machine)'' during the

COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. In January 2020, the disease spread worldwide, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic. The symptoms of COVID‑19 can vary but often include fever ...

pandemic. He stated that the album was intended to entertain his fans at a time when parties and large gatherings were restricted due to the pandemic. ''MMM'' was well-received and contributed to his popularity, particularly among listeners who had previously associated the Fuji genre with older audiences. In 2021, Pasuma received the Best International Music Video award at the Hollywood and African Prestigious Awards (HAPAwards). In 2022, he released the Afro-Fuji single ''Omo Ologo'', featuring Qdot, which received critical acclaim. That same year, he released two Fuji albums titled ''Legendary'' and ''Human Nature'', the latter being a December-themed project.

Selected videography

Film

Music Video

References

1967 births Living people Nigerian Muslims Nigerian male film actors People from Kwara State Musicians from Lagos Male actors from Lagos 20th-century Nigerian musicians 21st-century Nigerian musicians Yoruba musicians Yoruba male actors Male actors in Yoruba cinema Yoruba-language singers of Nigeria {{DEFAULTSORT:Pasuma, Wasiu Alabi