By Segun Oluwayomi
AlujoHymn Fusion is more than just a genre of music—it is a divine encounter, a spiritual soundscape where African praise meets the sacred depth of Christian hymns. It is rhythm and revelation. It is tradition and transformation. It is the sound of worship reborn.
But before it became a movement, it was a calling. A calling that found me—in a concert hall, in 1996—when I encountered the Lord and received a challenge that would change my life: Use your gift to worship Me.
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From Ilorin to the World: The Journey of a Vessel
I was born in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria, into the Christian family of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Ajayi Ogunyomi. I'm the third of six children—and the first son. I grew up in a home that honored God and valued music, which prepared my heart for the assignment I would one day carry.
I attended Saint Barnabas Primary School (1980–1986) and Government Secondary School, Ilorin (1986–1992), before studying music at Obafemi Awolowo University—one of Nigeria's most prestigious institutions. It was there that I began to refine not just my sound, but also my purpose.
My musical journey began with interest and matured into a divine mission. Over the past decade-plus, God has shaped me into a dynamic vessel—one whose life and saxophone have become tools in His hands.
At 6 feet tall with a distinct dark complexion, I’ve stood not just physically tall but spiritually steadfast in my call: to minister God's presence through the saxophone, blending traditional African rhythms with sacred Christian hymns.
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The Birth of AlujoHymn Fusion
AlujoHymn Fusion is the sound of who I am—a bridge between my African heritage and my Christian faith. At its core is the word "Alujo", which in Yoruba means "high-energy praise." It's that pulse, that spiritual rhythm, that drives people to dance with abandon and worship without walls.
But this isn’t just remixing hymns with African beats. It’s a spiritual reimagination. In this genre, I merge the age-old truths of hymns like “Amazing Grace” and “How Great Thou Art” with the heartbeat of Yoruba drums. The result is a sacred experience—both prayer and celebration, both cultural and divine.
It is where ancestral praise meets eternal truth. Where Yoruba rhythm breathes new life into hymns. Where worship becomes a shared language.
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The Saxophone as a Vessel
To me, the saxophone is not just an instrument—it is an extension of my spirit, a divine conduit. When I lift it to play, I’m not merely performing. I’m prophesying. I’m ministering. I’m releasing heaven’s sound.
Each breath through the horn carries more than melody—it carries message, healing, direction. God speaks through it. I've witnessed miracles: people healed of hemorrhoids, stage-three cancer, and emotional trauma—through the airwaves, in concerts, on TV, and across social media.
My anchor scripture remains Colossians 3:16:
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom… singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
Every time I play, I carry this verse as my mission.
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Global Impact and Musical Legacy
Over the years, I’ve released three landmark albums under the Arugbo Ojo (Ancient of Days) series:
1. Arugbo Ojo I – 2000
2. Aseda Oga Ogo (Arugbo Ojo II) – 2005
3. New Glory (Arugbo Ojo III) – 2012
Recently, I added three powerful singles:
Prophetic Declaration on Nigeria
Bethlehem
Praise of the Prophets II
God has taken this sound beyond the borders of Nigeria. I’ve ministered across Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States, and parts of East Africa—carrying the message of AlujoHymn Fusion to churches, festivals, and platforms hungry for authentic, spirit-led worship.
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Cultural Pride, Spiritual Power
I believe the best way to connect with God is in your own dialect. That’s why I return to my Yoruba roots, rich in rhythm and wordplay, and offer them to God—not as entertainment, but as worship. It’s my way of saying, “Lord, this is my heritage—and I give it back to You.”
In every live performance, AlujoHymn Fusion becomes an altar. The familiar hymns, revived with vibrant rhythms, become more than songs—they become sacred spaces. People are often drawn into moments of worship that feel deeply personal, reconnecting them to memories of childhood faith, communal joy, or divine touch.
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A Humble Vessel for His Glory
I came from a humble background, and that humility remains the foundation of my ministry. I seek only to please the Lord, and one of the most powerful ways I do this is by “entertaining” Him with my saxophone—lifting my sound as an offering to heaven.
Each time I pick up my instrument, I feel like heaven leans in. Familiar hymns rise, carried by alujo rhythms, and God speaks. Lives are touched. Hearts are healed. Spirits are lifted.
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Bearing the Mark of Christ
As Galatians 6:17 says,
“From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.”
That is my banner.
Segun Oluwayomi—the face of traditional Christian music.
Bearing His MARK in African jazz.
Blending the ancient with the eternal.
Playing the sound of heaven with the spirit of Africa.
This is AlujoHymn Fusion.
And until He returns, I will remain a willing vessel—letting my saxophone speak the words only the Spirit can utter.
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