Bari Jesus, who many say is the incarnation of Fuji legend, Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, has said until he did his album he had no prior experience in singing.
“I had no experience in singing other than the one I sing to myself,” he said in an interview.
But after a gospel music crusade, he recalled, he took the live recorded ministration to a radio programme and people began to respond. That was when he knew it was time to do music.
“People started telling me the album I should release. That was how I was inspired to work on ‘Reality’, in the album Reality of Praise. When I did the compilation with the help of the Holy Spirit, I called some professional percussionists for rehearsal and they all loved the vision. After the first rehearsal, we went for studio recording,” he said.
The Ondo State-born Samuel Amubieya said he has been called to use this brand of fuji music to win souls and bring lovers of Fuji Music and other lost ones into the family of Christ.
Bari Jesus is perhaps the most amazing discovery of gospel music in Nigeria, as he does not just sing fuji gospel like a few others. What is more, he comes across like the late Barrister. He is so like Barrister that his debut album, Reality of Praise, is no different from the fuji maestro’s album titled Fuji Dimension. But that is not to indicate that he is no better than a copycat, as gospel lyrics are creatively crafted into every line of the composition with percussion and rendered in the exact voice of the one referred to as ‘Baba Oba Fuji’.
Reality of Praise, which is backed up with full promotional video, has received unprecedented review from God’s Generals and music critics. The authorities of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Winner’s Chapel and Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide were the first to endorse the music and the performer.