At an unusual concert, K1 sets new bar for Fuji music

9 years ago

At an unusual concert, K1 sets new bar for Fuji music

Recently, the most widely acclaimed Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde Adewale Omogbolahan Anifowoshe , better known as King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal 1 , K1 De Ultimate or simply K1was the cynosure of all eyes at a concert titled K1 Live Unusual.

K1 honed his craft under Barrister.For six years, he served the master, breaking out in 1984 with a variant of Fuji which he namedTalazo. Without pronouncing it, the recent concert at the Expo Hall of Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos celebrated 30 years of K1 as an independent musician.

K1 can claim to have seen it all as far as Fuji music is concerned. He was a member of Barrister’s band, the Supreme Fuji Commanders, from 1978 until 1984.

Undoubtedly, K1 has assumed his mentor’s designation as ‘King of Fuji’. A productive recording artiste, K1 has arguably brought greater innovation to Fuji music than any other artiste.
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Perhaps, the most decorated artiste in Fujiland, K1 continues to update the fuji style. Wikipedia sums up K1’s progression over the years. ‘In addition to incorporating such Western instruments as keyboards, saxophone, and electric guitar, KWAM1 has expanded his musical vocabulary to include rock, funk, and hip-hop influences. Although he initially sang Koranic chants and rhymes, KWAM1 has increasingly focused on youth-oriented themes.
The recipient of a Nigerian music award as Best Fuji Artist, KWAM1 was named Best African Artist at theWOMADFestival in Reading, England. In May 2001, he was granted the title ‘Olu Omo’ (Golden Child) by the King of Lagos.
Recording as a soloist since 1980, KWAM1 had his greatest success with his 1984 album,Talazo 84, which introduced a new, turbo-charged style of music that became known as theTalazosystem.’
Every aspect of this fitting description was on showcase at the K1 Live Unusual concert. For instance, guest artistes at the show did not have to come with their band. K1’s band demonstrated that they are masters of the craft by accompanying every guest musician. The organisers had the good sense to allow the horn section of veteran highlife musician, Victor Olaiya to prep up his performance.
Even on his best day, Olaiya is not known to be a good dancer. His stereotype moves of swaying from side to side as he blows on his trumpet can be correctly predicted. Thus allowing two of his trumpeters and some youthful dancers to dramatise the song, ‘Mofe Mu’yan’ was a good decision.
Another excellent choice was to have Ali Babaas compere for the show. His maturity added substance to the profile of the show. Dressed in a white flowing agbada, he danced on to the stage; a surprise move that brought members of the audience to the edge of their seats. Still trying to catch his breath from the dance session, he made a show of trying to see on what side his agbada could be worn correctly; then he stood erect and wondered how ‘those people could jump over a fence dressed in agbada’. The joke was not lost on the audience who roared with laughter. It was a great way to open the show. That set the mood for a wonderful night.
K1 and Olamide
One of the greatest evidence to confirm that K1 has entered the annals of the greats in Nigerian music was to have reigning s£nsat!on Olamideon stage. Olamide has given his interpretation to K1’s song, ‘Anifowoshe’. As K1 stepped into view from backstage, Olamide prostrated in greeting to the king. He later performed two other songs of his, ‘Eleda Mi’ and ‘Story for the Gods’ which were well appreciated before he quit the stage while the ovation was still loud.
When he returned on stage, K1 was in a trendy casual outfit. To complement his song was the dance troupe, ‘Dance Na The Main Thing’.