K1’s saxophonist apologises over viral controversial song, says mockery was unintended

By Folashade Olorunfemi –

The saxophonist of Fuji icon Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, Olawale Adekoya, has publicly apologised over a viral stage performance that sparked backlash against the music star, insisting that the controversial chant did not originate from K1.

In a video shared on his TikTok page on Sunday, Adekoya took full responsibility for interpreting the drum rhythm, known as alujo, which was linked to the ongoing paternity controversy involving the Fuji singer.

The controversy erupted after a viral video of K1 singing about “unnecessary pregnancy” during a performance surfaced online. The video emerged amid allegations by a woman identified as Ogechi Eleana, who claimed in a recent interview that the Fuji star abandoned their 12-year-old daughter.

Although K1 did not directly state that the song referred to the woman or her claims, the performance triggered widespread outrage on social media.

Responding to the criticism, Adekoya said the rhythm had existed in the band’s repertoire for years and only recently acquired different playful interpretations among band members. He explained that the rhythm originated from drummer Ayankunle Ayanlowo after he rejoined the band and had become one of K1’s favourite alujo beats.

“This particular beat that caused the whole issue is not new, and we’ve been using this beat for a very long time now, since Mr Ayankunle Ayanlowo rejoined the band. He was the one who originated the beat. But at that time, it had no meaning, it had no interpretation, and it has become one of Alhaji’s favourite alujo beats. He’s always excited whenever he hears the beat,” Adekoya said.

According to him, the beat initially had no meaning until band members jokingly began creating different interpretations during a backstage conversation months before the current controversy.

The saxophonist disclosed that the recent interpretation linking the beat to K1 originated from him long before the controversy. However, he acknowledged that the timing of the performance was inappropriate and accepted full responsibility for the interpretation, insisting that K1 neither created nor suggested it.