Islanders Magazine

FUJI LORD, K1 OPENS ON WHY OBESERE AND KOLLINTON ARE ATTACKING HIM

KOLLINTON NOT OLD ENOUGH TO BE MY FATHER

SPEAKS ON PASUMA’S OGANLA TITLE

Executive Editor of Islanders Magazine Ola Muhammed recently spoke with renowned king of Fuji, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal otherwise called K1 in his magnificent house at Ijebu Ode where he bared his mind on issues bothering the industry, family, the controversies surrounding him and other issues. Enjoy

Recently you performed with your sons on stage, how do you feel?

It’s a very beautiful experience. I’m so happy and thankful being on stage doing the same thing I’ve always done before they were born and now performing together with them on stage; it’s an additional feather to my cap.

How would you rate their performance?

I see a promising career for them. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel for them. Like they say ‘the end justifies the means’, I see them going places by the grace of God.

Are you in full support of their chosen Career, any reservations?

I’m in total support of their chosen field, I counsel my children daily on the need for them to always bear in mind the child of whom they’re. I had imbibed good training in them which they exhibit wherever they go. Like my Parents supported me with prayers when I made my chosen career known to them, I gave them my blessings. They have made me proud, Honey my daughter is now a graduate, Mustapha, Sultan and Femi would be graduating soon, so tell me why I shouldn’t support them.

Your sons sing Hip Hop is any of your children taking after you in Fuji?

My son Femi sings Fuji, he chose the direction it was purely his choice without my interference. That’s his calling

You’re a Fuji Legend one of the most respectable Musicians. Do you feel fulfilled?

This year the fortieth year of my life and of course I feel fulfilled. The only thing I seek from God is the grace to sustain myself. It gladdens my heart doing what I love.

You relocated from Lagos to Ogun state, any reason for this?

If anyone leaves Okota now for Iyana Ipaja, it will take that person forty five minutes to get there; I can assure you that if I should Lagos for Ijebu at the same time with that person I will get to Ijebu before him. I love the peace and serenity of the environment, the people here are very accommodating and I never for once constitute any nuisance here. I’m enjoying the environment.

Is there any time you felt inconvenienced in the course of your career due to your relocation?

Never! While I was in Lagos Island I’ve always had the reason to move from one distance to another in order to perform, same applies when I moved to Aguda. The task of moving from there to my office in Lagos Island daily besides my job take me out of Lagos, so I don’t see any difference here even after moving down to Ijebu.

There are speculations that your relocation is politically motivated that you strategically moved to Ijebu because you felt that you stand a better chance, how true is that?

I’ve spent most parts of my life in Lagos Island and Isolo , I believe I stand a better chance if indeed I’m nurturing that dream especially in Isolo area where people love me a lot. If I have a large chunk of supporters in those areas why am I here to pursue a political career when I stand a better chance of winning in those areas. My relocation to Ijebu is just a way of fulfilling my father’s expectations, am sure he will be proud of me in his grave. Ijebu is my root; I just felt like coming back home, I’m a musician though I believe strongly in rendering service to the people and I contribute my quota in some charitable projects. Let me state here categorically that am not nursing any political ambition and my relocation isn’t politically motivated. I’m not seeking for any elected post.

You have a daughter who’s also a politician representing Lagos Island, are you an influence to that decision?

Bolaji was born and bred in Lagos Island so she has the fundamental right to contest for an election in order to serve her people. It was her decision and as a father she has my support, in the discharge of her duties she’s trying to prove the daughter of whom she is.

Are you still in touch with your constituency in Isolo?

To the glory of God I donated part of my house to the constituency to serve as a meeting point for the youths in the area, in view of that I’m in touch with the people whether am physically there or not. I get updates of all the activities going on in the area.

There are speculations that your house in Isolo has been sold, how true is that?

That’s a lie, the house is still mine and like I said earlier part of the house was donated to my constituency.

Sir, what’s your take on the state of the Nation?

Nigeria is sure progressing and I don’t see it as failed state, other countries have their peculiar problem. Go to Mexico a country close to USA they have problems, USA do have problems as well same for Peru, Brazil, even Canada, Same thing for African countries like Mali and the likes. We have passionate Nigerians whose concern is the growth and stability of the country, same for us as stakeholders in the entertainment industry we’ve been striving to ensure the growth and peace of the Nation same applies for other well meaning Nigerians.

As a member of ACN party what’s your assessment of the ACN Governors?

Every ACN governor has been operating in line with the party in line with the Party’s manifesto that ‘being answerable to the People. Take a good look at Ogun state there had been tremendous changes assumed office less than two years since Amosu assumed office. Same applied for Lagos state which has been transformed to a mega city. Go to Osun state and see what Aregbesola has been doing in terms of provision of good roads, education and all. I expect the governors of other parties to take a cue from them. In Ekiti state you’ll see the dividends of Democracy not only in the area of good roads, but in development health and in ensuring good life for the people. ACN governors have proven that the party is a party of the people. This isn’t about me but about the truthfulness of good Nigerians.

Obesere has been in constant verbal war with you based on his interviews most times, what is the reason behind this?

I believe the person allegedly attacking me should be in a better position to answer that question, if I were the one attacking him I would have answered the question. The issue on ground isn’t about power tussle, or personality clash perhaps he sees me in a negative light and he’s entitled to it. We both have our calling from God and my prayer is that God should continue to guide and protect us all. As a good Muslim I don’t talk about people rather I talk about issues on ground. In life impacting people’s lives is the only legacy that you leave behind, people are entitled to their opinions perhaps Obesere have his reservations and he’s entitled to his opinion. People applauded Barrister and see him as a formidable force to reckon with based on their relationship with him or perception of him. Like I said my prayer is that God should continually bless and keep us all.

After Barrister’s demise another Fuji icon, Kollington complained that you don’t have any regard for him, is that true sir?

 We’re in a more civilized world now gone are the days when we bring up trivial issues like this one is rude that one is bad, which was the trend in Fuji music way back. Alhaji Kollington is an elderly man and he’s someone I respect a lot, he’s older than me and I have never for once addressed him by name I call him ‘Baba’. I’ve never dragged any show with him and I have never join issues with him, he’s elderly and I shouldn’t disrespect him, I don’t want to join issues with him as an elderly man. The late Barrister who was my mentor lived in Okota while I was in Isolo which is just a stone throw but hardly do we see because God has blessed us with a good profession that takes most of our time. In few weeks time by the grace of God I will be fifty six years, I’m sure Alhaji Kollington isn’t seventy yet he’s not old enough to be my father irrespective of that I don’t think I’ve ever disrespected him at fifty six years I believe I should be accorded  a level of respect. If there is any issue I expect him to draw my attention to it and we’ll make amends. I don’t address the likes of Pasuma and Obesere like small boys despite the fact that am older than them I give them their respect so I don’t expect to be treated like a boy at fifty six years of age. My first born Abdul Azeez would be thirty six years this year. Nobody is anyone’s boss we only have respect for each other, if there’s anything I’ve done to him I expect him to tell me and not to attack my person in the papers.

Sir, how do you relax?

When am not working I relax by going to the Gym or swim I spend three hours in the pool. I eat good food I don’t joke with my health.

Aside the Gym and the pool how else do you spend your leisure?

I usually embark on annual leave in the month of January yearly. As I speak now am on leave till February very soon I’ll be travelling out.

What if someone bring a contract of five million dollars?

I won’t accept it because I need to rest I don’t want to labour for someone else to enjoy.

Is there any advice for upcoming acts?

They should never looked down on anybody, I don’t leave any stone unturned this has been an instrument to my success.

You were known to release album every three years but that has changed recently

We are now in the era that the message you deliver through music must make sense to the consumers, once I get an inspiration or directive from God I carry it out immediately.

How do you get your inspiration?

It comes from events, utterances that occur around me, my composition comes from things around me.

 K1 is perceived to be a snub, that you’re hardly accessible  is that true?

I’m not a difficult person but I believe that I must relax after working hard, but some people don’t see it in that light. I’ve had instance of people coming all the way from Lagos to Ijebu without any prior appointment, perhaps at the time they come I’m not available, they leave disappointed and call me a snub. I perform at different shows from Friday to Sunday without talking time to rest and someone comes on Monday morning when I might be sleeping and asks to see me. Some even come for support without knowing if I keep money at home or not, when they have headaches they come to tell me but when I do I don’t have anyone to tell except God. I do assist people and I make out time to discuss with people when it is convenient for me but some people don’t care about me rather they care about themselves without being mindful of my own convenience. I will never fail an appointment booked earlier with me am sure no one will ever tell you that I’ve done such.

You’ve been known to be an addict when it comes to attending the lesser hajj why?

I observe the lesser hajj in order to commune with God, prayer is key in achieving success, I’ve been there on countless times I stopped in 2009 when I was sick and had to be operated upon, I had to recuperate all through 2010 I wanted to go in 2011 but I changed my mind. I’ll always go for as long as I have the strength.

Which of the hajj is the most memorable one?

Everyone has been memorable

For over thirty years of your career hardly have you been entangled in any controversy until recently when issues of wife snatching came up, your alleged row with Pasuma and recently Kollington accusing you of disrespecting him, what can you say about that?

In as much as you’re a living soul on earth people are bound to talk, issues come up at my age issue of wife snatching should be important because there are salient issues affecting the nation. Taking a new wife shouldn’t be an issue provided am not accused of rape. A mutual sexual relationship between two adults shouldn’t generate any controversy because I can be sexually appealing to anybody. There issues like unemployment, insecurity and all that affects the country, sexual relationship between two adults shouldn’t be one to be discussed. Pasuma is like a son to me when a child misbehaves we can’t kill but to scold the child. He’s an adult who is at liberty to do what he wants to do I don’t want to say much about it.

You’ve been an agitator for peace within the Fuji industry yet the industry is still perceived to be that of thugs and it’s associated with violence, what are you doing to put an end to it?

Misinformation is one of the factors, fans are sometimes misled through false news besides the Fuji acts need to be cautious as well to avoid them being labeled as trouble makers. I’m not happy with the crisis happening within the industry, Fuji music is not about attacking or complaining about each other. Artistes should find a means of settling their differences without making it public, they should make out time to visit each other and settle their difference amicably. These are the issues that bother me and I’ll keep talking about it I pray that God will intervene and things would change for the better.

Don’t you think you’ll need to take further steps in order to arrest the situation?

I won’t lay down my life in order for peace to reign, it’s impossible, I have spoken the ball is now in their court to adhere to my advice. Peace will reign once the fuji artistes see themselves in one accord. Dispute settlements has to be mutual, it’s a gradual process we’ll surely get there.

How do you feel being in your country home?

I feel good and happy. I feel fulfilled having pleased my father because my late father wanted me to come back home so am happy being at home with my people.

Can you tell us about your children?

My first daughter Monsurat is a lawyer, Yomade is an accountant, Sekinat is a graduate of Unilag she’s into Business and she’s doing well. Aminat an OAU graduate is doing well too, thank God I have good children who are doing well and very soon am having another baby.

You’ve been in good terms with Islanders, your childhood friends especially the youths, how do you manage the relationship?

That is why we’re Islanders, just like in every profession there are norms and ways they greet, Islanders have a way we greet ourselves. We value and respect ourselves, I’m a stake holder and a chief on the Island Oluomo of Lagos bestowed on me by the Oba of Lagos, the title is a respected one and I cherish it. We share the same ideology and we relate well with each other and this keeps us going. We don’t backstab each other we treat ourselves like family and friends.

There was crisis on the island during Asiwaju’s tenure as a governor of Lagos state which you intervened, last year another crisis occurred but you didn’t intervene, why?

I don’t have to go to the street at all times, we know those we’re to approach and as Islanders we respect each other and we listen to ourselves. I was away in Canada when it occurred last year, but I called the parties involved and there was peace. We speak in one voice as Islanders. Two weeks I was on the Island to perform that is to prove that am not far from them.

Words for your fans

I pray that this year our dreams and aspirations be fulfilled. I also pray for God’s protection on all of us.