Music legend tells unique story in new photos

The 70th birthday celebration of King Sunny Ade is no doubt going to stay on millions of minds in Nigeria and the continent, his fans and those who don’t listen to his music regardless. He is an icon. Given his contributions to music, Juju has become a globally recognized genre which critics around the world have come to realize today. Little wonder the New York Times once described him as “one of the world’s greatest band leaders". King Sunny Ade is immortal. KSA as he is more fondly regarded is one of the most celebrated African musicians of his generation and he enjoys a great appeal and following even beyond the continent. He turned 70 on September 22, 2016 and got something of a national praise as even the president sent out a congratulatory message in celebration of him

“Apart from bringing joy to many hearts and homes through his music, President Buhari also commends King Sunny Ade’s love for humanity, especially the less privileged, by setting up a foundation that caters for the needs of others.” It’s been a thrill listening to and watching him perform all these years. His artistry spans decades long enough to cater to most demographics around today and the themes and messages in his music remain huge subjects of reference because they are evergreen. In April 2016, he spoke to City People magazine on his career stressing that he has no plans to retire. He also spoke on his other involvements. It might interest you to know the music legend is a building contractor on the side as he disclosed his interests in real estate and several other businesses. He said of looking so healthy and fit despite almost turning 70: “It is a common question that everybody asks me, around the world. Most countries I visit, people ask that question: look, you keep looking young. “I see it as God’s blessing because I really don’t know what explains it. I really don’t know how and why. “But in as much as I don’t know how and why it is difficult for me to explain. But, I am thanking God “I am thanking you people that really take care of me, because really you people, my friends, fans and close associates took care of me. “After God, it’s you my fans, my friends, my patrons, my matrons of my band, because when I sing you applaud it when I do record or cassette, you buy. “My mother used to tell me that you cannot carry the whole burden of the whole world on your head. Do your best and leave the rest. “When you start thinking too high, you become a different person entirely. You have to make things softer on you and on your mind. “So it’s not good to carry all the burdens of many things in this world. It can make you to age fast and look older than your real age. I regularly exercise. I dance on the stage. I swim in my swimming pool. I swim regularly. “It’s more or less like an exercise. Having shows every week keeps me in form. I perform like every other day with few free days in between, travelling all the time is more or less like an exercise. “It is much more. If it is from the exercise I think I am lucky. If it is not from the exercise, I think I am still lucky because its God’s grace. In my family, we are fit. My mother was slim till she died. We are slim in our family. It is only that my father is bigger than my mother.