Fuji icon, Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, has declared himself the major promoter of the popular Yoruba music genre, Fuji.
Ayinde also revealed that he registered the Fuji Musicians Association of Nigeria with the Corporate Affairs Commission and single-handedly provided its constitution.
He made this known during a pre-recorded interview with Agbaletu TV released on Wednesday.
According to him, many of his critics who label him a bad person often forget the role he played in developing Fuji music to its current status, which they now benefit from.
He said, “When I had the privilege to make Fuji music mine, I didn’t do so. I registered Fuji music with the Corporate Affairs Commission as the Fuji Musicians Association of Nigeria, with the genre officially titled Fuji. I also wrote the Constitution single-handedly.
“They wrote it in my house. I remember constituting the Constitution Drafting Committee. Fancia Alamu, Muhideen Ashekun, Waheed Akangbe as interim president, and Kolotiti as secretary. My personal secretary was responsible for compiling their deliberations. The meeting was held in the presence of my lawyer, Shola Abidakun.
“People say Wasiu is not good, but I did everything. God used me to do many things for Fuji music. What have I been paid with? These are things I didn’t want to speak about before now. Despite my efforts, they haven’t made a real impact on Fuji, yet they continue to call me all sorts of names,” he added.
Speaking about his relationship with the late Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, whom he described as his boss in Fuji music, the Mayegun of Ijebuland insisted he never insulted the late music legend, contrary to widespread claims.
He explained that it was a musician friend of his who did, but because he participated in the concert where the insult occurred, he was considered an accomplice.
Ayinde claimed that the late Barrister’s aides were the ones fuelling the misunderstanding at the time.
While acknowledging that his emergence as the King of Fuji music came by chance, he recalled how a feud between Kolawole Kollington and Barrister led event organisers to choose him instead of the two rivals.
“I became the King of Fuji music because there was a squabble between Kollington and Barrister. So, in an attempt to avoid conflict after crowning one over the other, the organisers chose me — particularly to please my boss,” he explained.
He also dismissed claims that he received monetary support from the Federal Government for his mother’s burial celebration.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.