Waheed Ayinla Yusuf Gbogbolowo (1933-1980), known as Ayinla Omowura, was a Nigerian apala musician. His powerful voice and socially conscious lyrics made him wildly popular in Yorubaland. Ayinla sang about everyday struggles, politics, and social issues in raw, unfiltered language. His rivalry with other apala musicians created legendary musical battles. Tragically, Ayinla was killed in a bar fight at age 47, cutting short a brilliant career. The 2021 film "Ayinla" celebrated his life and music, introducing him to new generations.


VOICE OF THE PEOPLE:
Ayinla Omowura’s thunderous baritone carried the lived experiences of artisans, traders, and transport workers across Yorubaland. Singing primarily in deep Yoruba with colourful proverbs, he chronicled morality tales, labour disputes, and social satire that resonated with market women and titled chiefs alike.

MUSICAL INNOVATION:
Working with the Apala Messengers band under EMI Nigeria, Ayinla modernised apala by introducing electric bass, conga flourishes, and layered harmonies without diluting its Islamic-rooted percussion. Classics such as Omi Titun-Tun, Yara Mates, and Awa Kii Se Teni redefined the genre’s cadence and expanded its audience on radio and vinyl.

SOCIAL COMMENTARY AND ADVOCACY:
His lyrics took on corruption, domestic violence, alcoholism, and civic duty, urging listeners to act responsibly. He did not shy away from musical “beefs,” using witty rejoinders to address rivals while preaching unity. Fans relied on his songs as informal news bulletins, affirming musicians’ role as moral guardians.

LEGACY AND REVIVAL:
Though his life was cut short in 1980, Ayinla’s catalogue remains a touchstone for contemporary Fuji and apala artists like Wasiu Ayinde, Queen Salawa Abeni, and Qdot. Stage productions, documentaries, and the 2021 biopic Ayinla have reintroduced his genius to younger audiences. Cultural festivals in Abeokuta now include annual tributes that preserve his repertoire for students and researchers.

FAST FACTS:
- Birth name: Waheed Ayinla Yusuf Gbogbolowo (born 1933 in Itoko, Abeokuta).
- Genre: Apala music; recorded more than 20 studio albums for EMI Nigeria.
- Signature ensemble: talking drums (gangan), agidigbo, sekere, and shekere-led call-and-response vocals.
- Died 6 May 1980; buried at Ita Akanni, Abeokuta.