Adamu Wayya a.k.a. Dan Maraya Jos is one of the most exposed Kalangu songsters, socially that is. His brand of kalangu which he styles kutigi is the simplest form of kalangu music. Dan Maraya has no band members and uses no heap of instruments. He is both the vocalist and the instrumentalist of his one-man-band. Dan Maraya, the solo artiste, uses his kutigi (kutigi is a derivation from the name of his only musical instrument the kutigi, guitar-like equipment which he designed in the early days of his career), for political enlightenment, social commentary, and philosophical exposition. Dan Maraya, who began his career at the age of 7 as a drummer with Mamu, a female singer, often chronicles the plight of the masses in his songs. His father, Wayya emanated from Sokoto but eventually settled in Bukuru as a drummer in the chief’s palace. Dan Maraya learned the hard facts of life quite early. He lost his parents when he was barely of school age. Owing to this tragedy, Dan Maraya jettisoned Adamu Wayya his real name

for the pathetic sobriquet, Dan Maraya. Dan Maraya, which literally translated means orphan, later became his stage name. In 1959 Sir Ahmadu Bello (late), the Sardauna of Sokoto and first Premier of the Northern Region gave Dan Maraya his big break in the music. Ahmadu Bello financed the production of his first record, Karan Mamota in 1959. Subsequent albums by Dan Maraya were also sponsored by the Sardauna until his death in 1966. A prolific songwriter, Dan Maraya since his debut has written about 500 songs on a myriad of issues. With over 50 records in his repertoire, Dan Maraya has represented Nigeria internationally lora and holds several honors including the Member of the Order of Niger (MON) awarded him in 1980, the United Nation Peace Medal (1983), the BBC (Hausa Service) and the PMAN awards.