While West Africa’s infectiously exuberant “juju” music is the product of one of the most socially and politically troubled cultures on the planet, there’s nothing contentious about King Sunny Ade’s take on this unique idiom.

“This is not about politics or oppression,” assured the Nigerian-born world music legend – who performs at the Orange Peel in Asheville on Wednesday, March 23 – during a recent phone chat. “It’s just for a good time.”

That country’s most beloved purveyor of this liltingly percussive, rhythmic musical genre currently is in the midst of a historic North American tour, which will also take him to Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, San Francisco, Canada and many other points between. Although Ade has toured this part of the world on many occasions in the past, this marks the first time the “Minister of Enjoyment” (as he’s known in his homeland) will be presenting pure African-style shows, with the inclusion of such West African cultural phenomena as “praise singing” and “spraying.”

Praise singing is a traditional form of audience appreciation – and a quasi-marketing tool – whereby performers literally sing the praises of those in attendance. (This practice is popular at such functions as weddings and business openings.) Spraying, meanwhile, involves audience members bestowing cash on a performer by pasting bills to the artist’s sweaty forehead, as one example, and generally showering the performer with money as a show of gratitude.

Ade’s management and venue promoters were initially a bit leery of allowing him to engage in this practice, due to the obvious potential liability issues presented by letting audience members scamper on stage. But Ade’s sense of diplomacy and positivism saved the day.

“It’s very simple,” he explained. “On stage, only one or two [audience members] are allowed. That’s only if they’re interested; it’s not by force. It doesn’t get out of hand.”

Another historic aspect of the tour is Ade’s teaming with acclaimed African “highlife” performer Prince Obi Osadebe, the son of Nigerian superstar Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe. (Highlife music, which is an exhilarating amalgam of highly rhythmic West African dance beats, lush melodies and western influences, originated in the 1920s in Ghana and Sierra Leone. It has been a staple of the music scene there ever since.)

The reason why this pairing is so monumental is because Ade and Osadebe are of divergent Yoruba and Igbo origins – two cultures that in the past fought civil wars.

This will mark the first time ever that such distinguished members of those society’s have performed together.

Once again, this is testament to the global healing power of Ade’s music, and his positive, peace-loving approach to life overall. And Ade assures that this performance will definitely relieve all those who attend of their world-weary cares.

“It’s all for a good time, and it’s all very danceable,” he insisted. “Within two or three minutes, you’ll be dancing. It’s all about let’s have a party tonight. So let’s have a party tonight, everyone!”

-Alissa Wolf