BY OKEY NWACHUKWU
In June, Lagos-born Michael Olayinka Abdul — better known as Mike Abdul — released Fuji Rush, an energetic six-minute single that reaffirms his influence on the AfroGospel music scene in Nigeria and across Africa.
It’s a natural progression of the style he has honed since bursting onto the Nigerian music scene over 20 years ago as lead songwriter and vocalist for the youth gospel group Midnight Crew.
Fuji Rush carries the same modernized Fuji energy that marked his days with the Midnight Crew, home to Africa-wide hits like Igwe and This Fuji Thing. While it’s not a radical departure from what the Korede, EyanJesu, and Ojoro singer has done before, the song stays true to his signature mix of uplifting gospel messages, vibrant beats, catchy rhythms, and African storytelling—creating a sound that connects with audiences from all walks of life.
The track blends modern string and horn arrangements with traditional percussion-led Fuji, resulting in a lively celebration of African gospel music.
As Mike Abdul explained in a recent interview: “The inspiration came from a desire to break the invisible line between the sacred and the street. I wanted to remind people that godliness is for everyone, and praise can come in any sound. The message is simple: let your joy in God be real, loud, and contagious. Don’t hold back; let it rush.”
Since going solo in 2013, Abdul has released hits like Morire, Blessing Now, JesuMi Da, 30-Billion Halleluyah, and the global favorite Ojoro. His other popular songs include Halleluya Always (Featuring Ada Ehi), Ready To Praiz, Oritsejafor, Carry Body, This New Year (With Emma OMG), Baba Ese, O Ma Loud (FesturingGreatmanTakit), Ko Da Mi Da, and IroHalleluya (featuring Tope Alabi).
His enduring relevance is tied to his adaptability—seamlessly blending English and several Nigerian languages, and weaving in genres from Fuji and Highlife to Afrobeats, Apala, House, Choral, Hip Hop, and more.
“From a spiritual standpoint, I just step out of the way when God is trying to pass a message through me,” he says. “Sometimes the direction doesn’t make sense from a business perspective, but when I follow it, the result is always surprising.”
Fuji Rush is available on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, Boomplay, and YouTube.
Over the years, Abdul’s collaborations have extended beyond gospel music. His ability to infuse trends like Amapiano into his work has led to standout tracks such as Keep It to Myself (ft. Nosa), Son of God (with Veeki Royce), and Comot Body by Sammie Okposo (ft. Mike Abdul and BidemiOlaoba). These collaborations have broadened his fanbase across diverse audiences. He has also worked with Bouqui, Shola Allyson, RotimiKeys, Obiwon, Blaque Jersey, Tim Godfrey, Olaitan Dada, Dekunle Fuji, SammY-Young, 1stBon, MoniQue, Rooftop MCs, Wole Oni, and MrDaz.
Abdul often looks back on November 8, 2001, with fondness—that’s when he co-founded Midnight Crew with friends, aiming to make an impact on Nigeria’s music industry. That foundation eventually became a springboard for the AfroGospel genre he champions today.
Going solo in 2013 allowed him greater creative freedom, leading to albums like Good 2 Go, Korede, and Grateful.
He also launched his own label, Spaghetti Records, which has since grown into a space for nurturing talent and supporting creativity in Nigeria’s music scene.
“This isn’t about keeping gospel music in a corner—it’s about going into the culture, speaking the language of the streets, and flipping the narrative,” he says. “Trends change, but impact lasts. People may forget the charts, but they’ll remember how your music made them feel. That’s legacy—and legacy outlives trends.”
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