K1 D' Ultimate Is Indeed a legend

Alhaji Wasiu Omogbolahan Ayinde Anifowoshe popularly known as k1 the ultimate is a living legend, he is an icon as far as Fuji music is concerned in Nigeria. The history of Fuji music is not complete without wasiu ayinde. He will be remembered for ever for the fame and glamour he has brought into Fuji music. His landmark achievement in rebranding Fuji music and for taking it to a greater height with international flavor, garnishing it with the best of musical instruments, will for ever be appreciated by co-fuji musicians, fans and indeed all lovers of music all over the world.



Right from the early 1980s that Ayinde has come into the limelight, he has never for a moment gone underground. This is a remarkable achievement going by the number of musicians who are often on and off the scene. His albums and live plays have continued to be relevant and fans find them entertaining and exciting too. Majority of his albums have been hits and they are always hotcakes in the market. In fact, one would think that those albums released many years back have been released just recently. Some of the albums that come to mind include: consolidation, ultimate, American tips, legacy, Gourd etc.



The relationships that Wasiu maintained with socialites in the west and even other regions of Nigeria are awesome. He remains almost the only musician with fans spreading beyond his own ethnic Yoruba group. One remembers his non-Yoruba fans like late Morris Ibekwe, Ade Bendel, Innocent Nzeribe, Juliet Enigboku etc. There are numerous Yoruba fans, too many to mention but notable among them are Wale Saubano, Wole Keru, Lanre Shittu, Bode Oyedepo, Bolaji Saheed, Ademola Oyesefo, Vivid Imagination, Baba Itunu, the Arabambi family etc



I belief I should just mention names of personalities that King Wasiu Ayinde has composed for or eulogized in the past, in fact some of them are still doing fantastically well in their various endeavors. One will not forget names like Kunle Atoyegbe, Rilwan Aleshinloye, Larry Bash,Ashaye,Olofinjana Lekan, Olohuntoyin Akindele, Jesu Orobo, sese Modinat,Akeem Amodemaja, Mama Kofoshi, Abisola Nene, former president Obasanjo, former governor Tinubu and the present Lagos governor-BRF, Musiliu Obanikoro- Nigeria Ambassador to Ghana, Ummanah, Juliet Enigboku, Labake Kaosara, Alao Akala of Oyo State, Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State.



How about the famous Siliki,Saliu Maja, Sanje Olohuntoyin, Tunlanpa, Toto Abuga, Nola Bolaji, Oba Ashanike of Ibadan of blessed memories. Critics have argued that Wasiu eulogizes to kill; they cited the example of King Ashanike of Ibadan who possibly died after K1 composed for him. They also talked about other fans that have gone to the great beyond. But, are these allegations true? In my own opinion, I think it is just a mere fallacy. If their argument is true, it then stands to reason that the likes of Atanda Wale Balogun, Odofin Muyideen, Aleshinloye Rilwan, Ashaye, Kunle Atoyegbe, Pasuma Wonder, Demola Oyefeso, Mayor Akinpelu, Vivid Imagination, Bolaji Basia and many others should today not be living witnesses to K1 success stories. These are guys that you hear their names in almost all the albums released by K1 D Ultimate since 80s.



It is my belief that they are supporting the argument that no known socialite or important personality most especially in the Western parts of Nigeria, that K1 has not composed for or eulogized one way or the other in his albums or live shows. When Ayinde praises a fan, you are sure of knowing everything about such a personality: his family, business, friends, places of birth and residence etc



If you are popular, you are bound to have critics or those that will point out your weaknesses to you point blank. Have you not heard this statement before, that Wasiu is a snub? That could be true to an extent because I have met K1 on two different occasions at Designer Rice, Bank Olemo (Surulere) between 1997 and 98. He greeted us casually and went in to eat. I just told my friends that God created us differently. K1 himself later said this on New Dawn with Funmi Iyanda on NTA around year 2000 or there about, that he was a shy person, that whenever he was on stage, the thought of getting down as soon as possible always occupied his mind. Like I said earlier, God created us differently and that is why we have the extroverts, the introverts and those in between. One can only advise K1 to always shout out at fans and in fact anybody that he meets, he should hug them and if possible kiss them to show that he is not a snub.



I have also heard the statement that K1 is financially stingy, but I am not in a position to say whether this is true or not. What I know is that he is an Ijebu man but born and bred in the popular Agarawu area of Lagos Island. Wasiu invests heavily in musical instruments and pets, he goes on pilgrimage to Mecca almost every year and I was told he has several other businesses. He has assisted so many artistes, sent people on pilgrimage to Mecca, donated money, assisted those in need and contributed his quota to the emergence of the present governor of Lagos. Really, I am not surprised at this erroneous belief because, they said same to former president Obasanjo; they are also complaining that our intelligent, prudent and focused governor in Lagos is stingy. In their words, they said “Fashola o kin ya paper” Meaning that our governor does not spend lavishly.



K1’s relationship with the media is also robust and I think this is remarkable because, so many Nigerians; even those in higher places of authority underrate this sector to their own peril. Wasiu is in closed contacts with media personalities like Dele Momodu of Ovation, Mayor Akinpelu, Femi Akintunde Johnson, Kenny Ogungbe (Keke), Dayo Adeneye (D1), Paul wale ademowo, Femi Akinsiji, Dayo Olomu now based in London, Mc Murphy etc



To call Wasiu Ayinde a minister of peace and good governance, I don’t think it is an exaggeration because he widely uses his medium to admonish, praise, warn and lambaste if necessary all categories of people including politicians. His critics misunderstand this gesture by saying that he talks too much, but ironically; this is one of his characteristics that his fans love him for. Most often, he does this at parties or live shows as an intro or, when guests are eating. One can conclude that this is Wasiu Ayinde’s way of rapping!



Going down memory lane, Fuji music in the past appealed mostly to the Muslims who, during the Ramadan fasting periods were woken up at dawns by Fuji artists popularly called the “ajiweres”. Most Christians were comfortable with juju music, but with the coming of k1 into the scene, things have changed to a large extent as people of different religious backgrounds now listen to and enjoy good Fuji music. He successfully and interestingly blended traditional musical instruments with modern ones like the keyboard, piano, saxophone, guitars which were initially not in use by Fuji Artists.



Wasiu Ayinde is intelligent, vibrant, dedicated with determination to succeed. He is loved for his prudence and for his great ability to manage human and material resources. He is focused and musically gifted; he does everything possible to make sure he adapts his music to suit the contemporary world. Honestly, among musicians in Nigeria, no matter the brand of music you may want to consider: juju, highlife, Apala, Awurebe, Bata Fuji etc K1 D Ultimate stands out! He is so blessed and musically talented that he can successfully play any of the brands listed above and in fact many more.





LISTEN TO WHAT FANS ARE SAYING ABOUT K1 D ULTIMATE



Mr. Afis Shittu, Abdulai Debo and Miss Sanya Motomori love K1 because according to them, you download everything about a personality he praises.



Alhaja Shade leaving in Ibeshe, Ikorodu loves him because he has something for everybody no matter your age.” I love the slow tempo he plays”



Ferdinand Ojelua, a youth corper serving in Igbokuta says “Although I am from Edo, I love K1’s rhythms and instrumental music. I also like his sonorous voice”



Mr. Yussuf Sahid in Isashi, Akute, Ogun state said this” I am not a fan of Wasiu but what I like about him is that when there was a quarrel among some Fuji artistes including him, he did not result to name calling. He was not abusing others at all”



Barrister Adewale loves his simple way of dressing.



A popular promoter who pleaded anonymity said Wasiu is a toast of music promoters.



Miss Eniola Jumoke and Odufuwa Funmilayo said they love the request segment of K1 at shows (Agbo Request) where audience dictates the music they want him play no matter how old. He would do this perfectly as if the particular song was recently composed. “So great of him” they said.



Mr. Haroo in Ita Alagba, Lagos Island said if Ayinde releases an album where he only claps, he would buy it.



Engineer Anifowoshe in Epe gave kudos to Percy Ademokun for managing him well. He equally remembered Dayo Olomu and MC Murphy that have done same in the past.



Mrs. Komlan- Dodoh, Jinadu and Oladimeji- Audu maintained that although Wasiu does not dance much, he has a way of entertaining fans with his funny dance steps. They also loved the way he called out band members to dance and entertain guests.



Miss Bola and her friend, Sherifat Kuti (Fed. Low Cost Housing Estate, Ikorodu) said they hope to call Wasiu in the future to play for them.



Wasiu Ayinde is indeed a musical genius! He informs, educates, promotes, warns and praises through his music. Indeed, he deserved more than three GBOSAS!!! He should be recognized, appreciated and honored for promoting not only our culture but our people and country to the outside World and for transforming our traditional Fuji music into an international brand with fame and glamour. May the King of Fuji music reign for ever!