31st March, 2024
By Oluwapelumi Oluwayemi
Renowned Fuji musician K1 De Ultimate, born Wasiu Omogbolahan Olasunkanmi Adewale Ayinde Marshal on March 3, 1957, has etched his name in the record of music history with his remarkable contributions to the Fuji genre.
Using the Talazo Fuji style, inspired by the legendary Ayinde Barrister, K1 has attracted audiences across generations and cultural backgrounds, earning him the nickname “The King of Fuji Music.”
From humble beginnings, K1’s journey into music began at the tender age of eight, despite initial resistance from his parents.
However, he sharpened his skill and swiftly rose to limelight, winning numerous local competitions by age 15.
Joining Ayinde Barrister’s band, marked a vital moment in his career, leading to the release of his debut album “Iba” in 1980 and the iconic “Talazo ’84” in 1984.
Throughout his career, K1 has been showered with accolades and honours, including prestigious titles such as the “Badabarawu of Ogijo”, “Oluomo of Lagos” and “Olori Omooba of Akile ijebuland”.
His musical talent has gained international recognition, resulting in honorary degrees and awards, including the Merit Award of the Order of the Niger (M.O.N).
However, amid the admiration lies conflict within K1’s band. Kunle Ayanlowo, a longtime drummer, working with him for about 32 years, recently came forward with allegations of mistreatment and exploitation.
Ayanlowo recounted experiences of being treated like a slave, citing instances of passport confiscation and unreasonable dismissal, which he claims led to health issues.
Kunle, in his outcry, revealed that he worked for K1 for 32 years and, through all these years, never achieved anything meaningful for himself or his family.
According to the heartbroken man, people just see Kwam 1’s positive side and don’t know who he truly is behind the showbiz scenes.
Ayanlowo noted that K1 usually treated his band members less than dogs and were paid peanuts, making it almost impossible for them to survive and feed their families. Ayankunle, in a video that made rounds online, accused Kwam1 of snatching his girlfriend in Paris and sleeping with many women. The singer said he had never met the lady he was being accused of snatching but only heard about her when she was arrested at the border in Paris.
In response, K1 refuted the allegations, labeling Ayanlowo as greedy and ungrateful.
He defended his actions, stating that running a band akin to a company inevitably breeds conflicts, and he reserves the right to manage his personnel accordingly.
K1 also addressed accusations of philandering, admitting to imperfections but denying the severity of the claims.
He said, “I am not claiming to be a saint but I am not as bad as people have painted me in terms of women. Not that I go for all these women they have accused me of dating. Some of these women even throw themselves at me. I know I am not the worst man in the world.”
Kwam1’s son also defended his father, stressing that the lady Kunle accused his father of snatching was his girlfriend in Lagos before travelling abroad.
He said, “The lady in question was my girlfriend. I always took him to Ayankunle’s house. That was how he knew the lady. “My dad never met the lady while I was dating her. He didn’t even know about it until this night when we were talking about it. Ayankunle is only trying to call a dog a bad name in other to hang it.”
Amid the controversy, another drummer, Kamorudeen Ayanyemi, also known as Bata K1, gave a different narrative about Kwam1’s personality, praising K1’s generosity and fair compensation.
Bata K1 noted that anyone who worked with the singer for a long time and couldn’t achieve anything should examine himself.
He added that they were paid handsomely for working with the singer. Bata K1 explained that the veteran singer paid them weekly.
He also mentioned that if they didn’t receive alerts on Monday, they would get them on Tuesday. The drummer also mentioned that what they earn monthly, some level 17 officers don’t earn it.
He added that they also get money from the singer whenever they are on the stage performing. The drummer mentioned four band members and said that they all have up to three houses they have built from what they make from working with K1.