By Lekan Adejuwon
The family of traditional Ekiti music legend, King Femi Ariyo has announced the passing of their father.
In a statement jointly signed by the family represented by Tunde and Barrister Loni Ariyo, the late King Ariyo breathed his last between the hours of 12.00 and 1.am on Saturday July 15, 2023 in an undisclosed hospital in Ado Ekiti. The statement reads:
“The family of King Femi Ariyo with painful hearts announced the death of our father Chief Femi Ariyo who passed on in the early hours of Saturday July 15 2023 between 12.00 and 1.00am after a protracted illness
“Our father in his life time was a renowned traditional music maestro who has contributed immensely to the upliftment of Ekiti culture and traditions through his music and songs. Burial arrangements will be announced later.
Late King Femi Ariyo’s demise yesterday marked the end of an era in the genre of Ekiti traditional music promoted by him and his late rival, Chief Elemure Ogunyemi.
The Ilawe Ekiti-born music icon would be remembered for hit albums such as: “Oga mi soju mi wai”, “Baja ba wo agbada ina”, iroju lo late” and many others.
