As Governor Biola Ajimobi of Oyo State prepares for the take-off of Geely Automobiles project, one celebrity who is expected to influence fans to patronise the relatively new product is Fuji music star, Wasiu Ayinde, aka K1 De Ultimate.
Sources say everything is in place for the auto brand that will be assembled in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, before the end of the first quarter of this year, and K1 will soon be launched publicly as its brand ambassador.
As Governor Biola Ajimobi of Oyo State prepares for the take-off of Geely Automobiles project, one celebrity who is expected to influence fans to patronise the relatively new product is Fuji music star, Wasiu Ayinde, aka K1 De Ultimate.
Sources say everything is in place for the auto brand that will be assembled in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, before the end of the first quarter of this year, and K1 will soon be launched publicly as its brand ambassador.
Fuji musician, K-1 de Ultimate has just found a replacement for Percy Ademokun, his publicist of 20 years. Shortly after unveiling the new spokesperson, Esther Akinwande over talks on his next album, ‘Let The Music Flow’, he spoke to VICTOR AKANDE about several other issues in this interview.
YOU strike me as a gentleman. However, I see so much bitter rivalry among Fuji musicians irrespective of age differences, even though Yorubas are known to respect elders. Is this situation due the nature of the genre? Does the genre excel in feud? Is this what the fans enjoy?
We have all manners of people, people with different training and that has a lot to do with what you are talking about. As they say; show me your friend and I can tell who you are. I don’t want to condemn anybody, on the same genre of music that I do but, may be those in the genre before us; Yoruba type of music generally may have set the wrong foundation.
You can imagine finding yourself in a field where you are exhibiting God’s gift and you think you can misuse it because it’s a gift from God. God that gave you the talent wants you to be humble but you are not, you will live that way and end that same way. But we will continue to campaign for good living among us. Fuji music is the beauty of music entertainment in Nigeria, especially among the black tribe that so much appreciate the use of words and proverbs.
So, it has nothing to do with the genre…
No. It’s not about the genre but about the individual. It happens in the hip hop world and other genres too. The likes of Sunny Ade and Ebenezer Obey who play Juju music had their own share too.
You often refer to late Ayinde Barrister as your father in music. What are you doing to ensure that his legacies remain?
It is different when you, as an individual want to do something and it is another thing when majority of people don’t share the same vision. A tree doesn’t make a forest. Good enough, I am a true musical son of the late Barrister, I see him more than just a musical father, I see him as a true father in all ramifications. Unfortunately, I am stepping back a bit because this great man has his own biological children that are grown up and well-trained. But I don’t want to castigate the family, but I have made my pronouncement and I hope that after now they will see reason with my pronouncement.
Are you referring to the 5th anniversary of Barrister’s demise which you did not attend, and what was this pronouncement?
Exactly… My position was that for a man of Barrister’s caliber, we should not be thinking of funfair at all time, we should as well think of something to energize the public, and make the society to see what the man stood for during his life time. That was my advice to his children. I took a step back because they are grownups. I wanted to give them the opportunity as grownup adults to take decisions over the affairs of their late father.
What exactly did you propose?
What I actually proposed was that there shouldn’t be funfair, what we should do is we hit the world in a different way; like holding a musical seminar where we bring scholars to come and advice and talk about music and what music truly means. I wanted us to start that way and continue to grow the initiative.
Then later, we can raise a foundation out of that whereby many families will love to see their children doing a thing like that and say if this is happening for real then something good can come out of the life of my child who is doing music. However, they wanted funfair and I cited reasons I won’t subscribe to that: this was a man who had done so well to propagate the image of his nation, himself and his family. A man who had set a standard, who had fought very seriously to establish a genre of music that many other are benefiting from and so on. You don’t just do funfair in his memory and end it like that.
What is the position of Fuji Music Association of Nigeria (FUMAN) in this scheme; do they also share in your vision?
When I made that suggestion, I expected people who have something upstairs to grab and develop it. I can’t be fighting people, I am not getting younger but older and I have enough responsibilities on my sleeve that I have to take care of. So, if I’m taking care of one and it’s not properly seen I shouldn’t let it affect the others.
Sorry to deviate. How old are you sir?
I am 59-years-old
Thank you. When you referred to Barrister as your father in music, how do you mean; did you learn music under him or did he sponsor your education?
He raised me; I served tutelage under him and he could not do more than what a biological father would do for his child. He trained me to be what I am today. I served up to my master degree to call it PhD under his tutorial as far as music is concerned.
At what age did you start music?
I started music when I was eight years old and I think I have been with Barrister since I was nine years old and ever since, I have been serving him, I gained freedom the day he died. That was when I believe I was free.
Starting music at that age must have deprived you of some formal education?
No, it didn’t. But the fact still remains that everybody came to this world with a purpose and talent and I won’t be the first person to start music at such tender age. Michael Jackson of blessed memory also started young and many others.
How far did you go in terms of formal education?
I dropped out of school in my second year in secondary school.
I hear that one of your children just graduated in Law recently; such must be a way of making up…
A saying goes thus; show me your friend and I will tell you who you are. When you wake up and see good things happening around you, you see the way your friends are living, the way they are raising their kids, the plans they have for their children and you still want to be seen among these people, definitely you will inculcate their good habits. So I have always wanted my children to have all that I have lost and even greater and that has been the standard that I have set for myself with the help of almighty God.
Is the lawyer your eldest?
No she’s not.
Tell us more…
I have more than one lawyer among my children; I have an accountant, engineer and other areas as well. I have a lot of graduates among my children that went to good schools.
Music has taken you round the world; how much do you miss family life as a very busy man?
You can’t be doing what I am doing and not get to miss certain things. You will definitely lose your privacy, you lose your getting to do certain things in the normal way and your family must be willing to be ready to sacrifice that time for you. Even when my wife and children don’t see me the way they should, they know the situation on ground and they understand. And I try not to deny them of my time whenever I am free.
Is there any of your children who want to become a musician?
Yes, there are lots of my children that are already doing music
Apart from your biological children, is there any Fuji musician that you are grooming the same way that Barrister groomed you?
Yes, I’ve groomed a lot, encouraged many and have been carrying others along as far as Fuji music is concerned.
Why don’t we have collaborations among Fuji musicians like other genres?
There are lots of them doing collaborations but it’s not just common because it’s still the same Fuji music. Unlike hip hop where one sings and the other raps.
You did collaboration with Olamide…
Yes I have done with Olamide, 9ice, Blacky and a lot of them
Still on the rivalry among Fuji musicians; what does every Fuji musician wants to be referred to as King?
In the society today many people are crazy about title; it’s okay because brings fun out of what we do. However, I believe we should not be emphasising too much on that, rather the emphasis should be on the real benefit of what we are doing to the society; what it has to add to the lives of people listening to our music and the value therein. With my status now, I am not bothered about titles. Several times, I just tell people I am K1 de Ultimate.
What was the reason you changed your name from KWAM 1 to K1?
It was all about branding. I had a long list of names and I chose K1 de Ultimate because it is shorter.
You seem to be looking younger each time. What do you do to keep fit?
I can climb the stairs ten times a day so it gets me fit. I don’t want to look over-age and you want to stay fit to suit your mode of dressing. That is what you see me doing because if people see you looking over weight they will think you are a goner, but I am just starting.
Don’t you think you are asking for more trouble from your female fans?
At this stage I think what is more important to me is far beyond that. Now, you will hardly find me on the streets if I don’t have anything doing on the streets I want to be seen as a serious person. I will be in a position where people will come to seek for advice. I have had a fair share of it.
It is interesting the innovation you have brought into Fuji music. What instruments do you play?
I trained on keyboard and I am training on guitar presently.
How did you feel when President Buhari said he hasn’t danced in a long while when he danced to your music?
I felt great that the man truly knows what is happening around him. What he said was ‘I can’t remember when last I lifted my legs to dance but your music is good’. It felt good, especially coming from a serious-minded man.
If you were not a musician what would you have been doing?
Definitely I should have something doing as a responsible citizen.
Apart from music what other profession is close to your heart?
If I have the same opportunity, it’s either I go into business, or I might choose to be a lawyer because I believe in the rule of law. I believe in fighting a cause that’s worth fighting.
You have just unveiled your new publicist and announced your next album, what are your other plans for 2016?
I have a lot. I have shows both in and out of the country back to back and they run to the end of the year. A lot of tours across Europe and America and that is how it has been in the past 25 to 30 years, except when I was sick and operated upon.
After your lung-related ailment, were there times the doctors told you to slow down?
I was never asked to slow down. It was after my treatment that the doctor told me I was double charged for action.
Fuji musician, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, aka K1 who is presently in Minnesota, Georgia with his band, is having a double celebration, having been honoured with the Chieftaincy title of Mayegun of Georgia.
The visit to Georgia is part of his music tour of the United States.
Reports say the Fuji maestro was installed as ‘Mayegun of Georgia’ by Ori Ade of Riverdale, HRM Oba Shola Akinrimisi, the Oba of Riverdale, Georgia and the entire Yoruba community in the State of Georgia & the City of Riverdale.
Recall that the musician in August 2009 was also named the first ‘Mayegun of Yoruba Land’ by the highly revered monarch, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, the Alaafin of Oyo.
The announcement according to information was made the same year, when the popular musician visited the monarch with friends, family and fans during the Iweri (traditional rite for would-be chiefs).
In furtherance of his support for the APC, Fuji musician, King Wasiu Ayinde, aka K1 The Ultimate, was the cynosure of all eyes, last Sunday, as he donated some Public Address Systems to each of the 377 Wards in the 57 Local Government Councils and Local Council Development Areas (LCDA) of Lagos State. The artiste, who also gave out 300,000 wristbands with the imprints of Gen. Buhari and Ambode, told journalists that it was the least he could do to support the two APC candidates, as a party member.
What informs the donation of these items?
I am a party man, and in the last 16 years, I have been part of good governance in Nigeria. So this is not really too much to be given out to a party that I believe so much in. I believe so much in the All Progressives Congress; it is a party of the people. My relationship as a democrat has been for over 40 years. This is what I believe in, regardless of anything.
Why the choice of APC?
I am a Nigerian. I have the right of affiliation, so that is where it started, and it doesn’t change for me.
Why the choice of these items; why not something other than wrist bands and Public Address Systems?
In the first instance, we are talking about the grassroots. When you are being asked what you were doing; ensure you do something that touches the grass root. This public address system is meant for the world; it is a public address system that has the capacity to run for over 48 to 72 hours without electricity, meaning that it would be very effective in the rural areas. If you can charge it for just an hour or two, then you can use it for the next 72 hours. Each system comes with a microphone, not only that, it can be used as a DVD, depending on the format of information you want to pass across to the people. If the governor wants to make a statement or give any information, it reaches out to the people fast, clearly and soundly too.
Is this kind of gesture going to continue?
This is not my first donation to the party, and by extension, to good governance. As a democrat, I have always made myself available, lending my voice and music to good courses. During the last election, I know what I did. During every election, I try as much as possible to reach out to people. I am a beneficiary of good governance myself, and everybody knows that.
How much of these have you been able to impact on your colleagues?
This is a matter of choice, and it is about me. I don’t want to speak for anyone. I can’t force anybody; not even my children. This is democracy where people have every right to do what they choose. As I am saying mine, others might be saying theirs as well. This is just about me.
Can you tell us how much you spent on these items?
Unfortunately, that is also personal to me. I don’t need to say it for any reason. Not even to earn applause. Sometimes it doesn’t make meaning.
What would you want the people to know about the coming elections?
Every Nigeria should know that this coming election is very important in many ways. Nigeria is not enjoying the benefit of good governance as passionately as expected. If you take a look at Nigeria over 30 years back, then you will know that the rate at which people move out of this country to either work or live abroad is crazy, and this is simply because there is nothing for people to do at home. Majority of the people are not truly enjoying good governance, and we should not shut our mouth to this. I don’t know of any other, I’m a global tour musician and I see many people outside the country that when you ask them why they are living abroad, they will tell you it is because they have nothing really good to do at home. They will tell you they will rather be here (abroad) sweeping the floor than being a thief back home. You can imagine that it is as bad as that. The people are not enjoying, the education system isn’t functioning well; you can imagine a situation where by nothing works. And if they say something is working, let them (the ruling party) show us what has worked. I am speaking this time around as a Nigerian, who has seen things clearly in the last 40 years. I have been a party member for a very long time, I had been voted as an executive of the youth wing of a party in Nigeria, when I was barely 17 years old. My history as a politician is something that has existed for a very long time.
As a global person, one of your contributions to global tourism is Ori Omi project that you’ve been doing in US. We see a lot of waters in Lagos as well are you thinking of doing this kind of project in Lagos?
Before we started those ones you mention, we have been doing it in Lagos here. We used to do it from Mile 2 to Apapa. In the late 80s and 90s that is what we do; we do go from Mile 2 to a Badagry. All we are saying is that, when everybody knows that things go well in Nigeria, nobody would want to take those brilliant ideas abroad. The security situation in Nigeria is nothing to write home about. If Nigeria has a security situation where by they can ‘close their eyes’ and walk the streets 24 hours nonstop; if they can walk without molestation, then you will see that those beautiful things people go abroad to enjoy will be established here and Nigerians will stay to enjoy them as well. Who wants to go on the water here when there is no electricity and security?
Doesn’t it bother you that some people may feel you have been paid to support the APC?
Definitely, I am blessed with my job. How could anyone look at me; a 58-year-old man, and say I have been paid? If I don’t know what bites so hard in the society at 58, why will I be able to go out and talk? When I made my album in 1984, I sang about poverty, lack of electricity and so on. That was a long time ago. Definitely, these problems have existed for long; they are only getting worse by the day. So, would anyone say that I was also paid back then to sing against vices in the society? As musicians, we are not destabilizing the nation, we are only crying out loud to make the country better. If you go to Benin Republic, you would know they are enjoying the benefits of good governance. People living over there don’t waste money on power generating sets, the way we do here in Nigeria. And they are not really a rich country, as the only thing they do is business, with just one Port.
he much publicised Fuji-pop concert “K1 Live Unusual”, held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, last Friday, delivering exciting performances from some of the biggest names in the Nigerian music industry.
At the show, which was planned as a fusion of the Fuji and Hip-hop genres, the convener, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall (K1 The Ultimate) performed some of his popular hits like Talazo system, Baby mi show colour re, Omo Niger and Eyo with collaborations with indigenous rapper Olamide, 9ice, Sasha P, Muma Gee, Ara and his daughter Honey B.
The unusual concert which attracted lots of music lovers was hosted by the King of comedy, Alibaba, with rib-cracking comedy from Buchi while 2shotz, Sir Victor Olaiya, Saheed Osupa, Shola Allyson, DNMT and celebrity disc jockey, DJ Jimmy Jatt took turns to entertain the audience.
Notable faces at the concert include, Engr Rauf Aregbesola, Governor of Osun State, First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, Chief Kollington Ayinla, Femi Adebayo, Dayo Amusa, Olakunle Afoja, Chief Kenny Ogungbe, Tunde Kelani, Chris Jeyibo, Seun Soyinka, ID Ogungbe, Mary Atuyota, Aremo Oniru, Doris Simeon, Kunle Afolayan, Fathia Balogun, Ayo Animashaun, Chris Ihidero, YAW, Toolz, Tunde Ednut, Tee Billz, Toke Makinwa, Teju Baby Face and actress Sikiratu Sindodo. Produced by Green Light Productions, the show was supported by LASSA, LIRS, Beat Fm, BHM Group, HIP TV, Ray Power, Primetime Africa, Naija Fm, Classic Fm, Kennis Music and Sodium Brand Solutions among others.
REPORTS have it that the much-touted love affair between popular Yoruba actress, Funke Adesiyan and Lagos socialite, Sati Ramoni, has crashed like a pack of cards.
According to findings, Funke has since moved on, after she quit the relationship.
While their three- year-old romance lasted, both were an item, as Funke was always seen in the company of the Island Big Boy.
Ramoni is a rich Lagos-based businessman who is also very popular in major social circles. He is one big socialite whose name all the major Fuji artistes praise-sing, especially K1. So intense was their affair that at some point, it was hoped that it would lead to the altar.