— Kayode Alfred

Fifty, they say, is golden. But for Alayo Melody Singer, gospel juju tungba trailblazer and Abeokuta’s unofficial Mayor of Melody, it is more platinum with a twist of glitter and gangan drums. The countdown to Saturday, April 12, has begun, and the city is already clearing its throat.

Born Akinola Ayoola Michael in Lagos, raised by the sacred rhythms of Cherubim & Seraphim, and baptized by Celestial fire in 1995, Alayo did not just grow up in church; he made the choir his laboratory. From incense to instrumentals, his journey has been one long hallelujah with a heavy backbeat.

Now known simply as “Number 1,” Alayo has fused gospel, juju, and tungba into a sound that doesn’t walk but bounces. “GosJuTungba,” as it’s fondly called, is not just a genre; it’s a vibe. While others preached, he praised with percussion. The result? A groove that brings both elders and after-party guests to their feet.

In a country blessed with gospel-juju icons like Yinka Ayefele, Mike Abdul, and the ever-resplendent Mega ‘99, Alayo stands apart not for being louder, but for being different. Where Ayefele glides with highlife harmonies and Mega ‘99 dazzles with lyrical fireworks, Alayo leans into joy, jangling bells, and just enough mischief to make holiness fun.

And now, at the grand age of 50, the prince of praise is throwing a party that even King David might RSVP for. Abeokuta is bracing for a holy invasion: socialites in lace, entertainers in swagger, businessmen in agbadas that could double as parachutes. Rumor has it, even the owambe gods have cleared their schedule.

For a man whose music dances between church pews and dancefloors, this celebration won’t be a mild affair. It will be melody, memory, and mayhem—in the most sanctified way possible. If it is true, as some people believe, that one’s birthday reveals their destiny, then Alayo’s destiny is set to shake Abeokuta this Saturday.