Ogundipe oluwatoyin amos Kollington Ayinla is a renowned Nigerian Fuji musician from Ilota, a village near Ilorin, Kwara State. Born in 1949, Ayinla has had a long and illustrious career spanning over five decades. He is known for his powerful bata drum and his ability to blend traditional Fuji elements with modern styles.
Ayinla began his music career in the 1970s, recording for Nigerian EMI in 1974. His introduction of the powerful bata drum in 1978 gave him a temporary lead over his competitor, Ayinde Barrister. This innovation helped Fuji music gain popularity, and by the early 1980s, it was rivalling juju as Nigeria’s most popular contemporary roots music.
In 1982, Ayinla set up his own record label, Kollington Records, releasing over 30 albums in the following five years. This move allowed him to maintain creative control and release music that reflected his unique style.
Throughout the 1980s, Ayinla and Barrister were the dominant figures in Fuji music, with their rivalry driving the genre’s growth.
In the mid-1980s, Ayinla engaged in a public feud with waka star Queen Salawah Abeni, exchanging bitter personal insults through album releases and counter-releases. Despite this, Ayinla remained an extremely prolific artist, recording over 50 albums, most of which have never been released outside of Nigeria.
In 2019, Ayinla revealed that he had dropped military from his music. He continues to release new music and remains a prominent figure in the Fuji music scene.
Recently, Ayinla has faced health issues, including a near-death experience in 2024. He has refuted death rumors, thanking God, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the management of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) for their support during his illness. Ayinla has expressed gratitude for his recovery and has continued to perform and release new music.
Throughout his career, Ayinla has been recognized as one of the most important artists in Fuji music, alongside Ayinde Barrister. His contributions to the genre have helped popularize it, making him a beloved figure in Nigerian music.
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