K1 De Ultimate

K1 De Ultimate M.O.N
Mayegun of Yorubaland. OLORI Omo Oba Akile Ijebuland
Background information
Also known asIgi Jegede, (King of Fuji Music, Oba Orin, Arabambi, Mayegun General, Ade Ori Okin) (Oba Orin) (King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal) Kwam1, (k1 de Ultimate)
Born
Wasiu Ayinde Adewale Olasunkanmi Omogbolahan Anifowoshe

(1957-03-03) 3 March 1957
OriginIjebu Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria
GenresFuji music
Occupationssinger, performer
Years active1995–present
LabelFuji Repete

Wasiu Omogbolahan Olasunkanmi Adewale Ayinde Marshallisten MON (born 3 March 1957), known professionally as K1 De Ultimate, is a Nigerian Fuji musician. He popularised a brand of the genre based on the work of its creator, Ayinde Barrister, known as "Talazo Fuji".[1]

Background

Marshal discovered his interest in music at the age of eight, persisting despite initial parental opposition to win local competitions by age 15[2]. He served in Ayinde Barrister's band, the Supreme Fuji Commanders, from 1975 to 1978, having previously worked as an instrument packer[3]. He later adopted the name "Ayinde" with the blessing of his mentor, Ayinde Barrister[2].

In 1980, he released his debut album, Iba, featuring the track "Abode Mecca"[4]. This was followed by his breakthrough album, Talazo '84, in 1984, which established the "Talazo" brand of Fuji and expanded the genre's audience[3][4].

Music career

Following his international tour debut in 1986, including performances at London's Hammersmith Town Hall and New York's SOB's, Marshal has continued annual global tours[5]. Notably, he performed at the 1995 WOMAD Festival, showcasing Fuji music on a global stage, and has frequented venues like Troxy and WOMEX[6].

In August 2020, he released the experimental *Fuji the Sound* EP featuring artists like Teni and Toby Grey[7]. His prolific output continued with the release of the album *Alafin Xtra* in 2024 and *Ganusi (Fuji Classical)* in 2025[8]. By early 2026, he released several live albums, including *Allied International Club UK (Live)* and *Coronation of Ọba Olùmẹ̀gbọ́n Akínwọ́n IV (Live)*[9].

Recognized for his cultural impact, Marshal was installed as the first Mayegun of Yorubaland in January 2020[10]. In October 2022, he was awarded the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) by President Muhammadu Buhari[11]. He was subsequently named the Olori Omooba of Akile Ijebuland by the Awujale of Ijebuland in September 2023[12].

Accolades and recognition

  • Badabarawu of Ogijo in 1985
  • Ekerin Amuludun of Ibadanland in 1986
  • Golden Mercury of Africa Title in 1986
  • Honoris Causa of Music at Saint John University Bakersfield California USA in 1989
  • Crowned as King of Fuji (Oluaye Fuji Music) at NTA Ibadan in 1993
  • The Oluomo of Lagos by King Adeyinka Oyekan of Lagos in 1999[1]
  • On Monday, 13 January 2020, he was installed by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi as the first Mayegun of Yorubaland[13]
  • Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) by President Muhammad Buhari on 11 October 2022
  • Crowned Olori Omooba of Akile Ijebuland on 26 September 2023 by King Sikiru Adetona Awujale of Ijebuland and in the same month was installed as Otunba Fidipote Mole of Fidipote dynasty

Controversy

ValueJet incident

In August 2025, K1 was involved in a confrontation aboard a ValueJet flight regarding a flask suspected to contain alcohol, an incident that led to his removal from the aircraft and a brief placement on a no-fly list[14]. Following the event, Marshal issued a formal apology, clarifying that the flask contained water for medical purposes rather than alcohol[15].

By late 2025, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the airline reviewed the incident; following a series of mediations and a commitment to safety protocols, the administrative ban was lifted, and Marshal resumed regular travel with the carrier[16].

Discography

Studio albums

  • Iba (1980)
  • Esi Oro (1981)
  • Igbalaye (1982)
  • Talazo System (1984)
  • Talazo '84 (1984)
  • Ise L'Ogun Ise (1984)
  • Ijo olomo (1984)
  • Talazo Disco 85 (1985)
  • Oloriki Metta / Ki De Se (1985)
  • Elo-Sora (1985)
  • Pomposity (1985)
  • Ori (1986)
  • Tiwa Dayo (1986)
  • Erin Goke – Lecture (1986)
  • Baby Je Kajo (1986)
  • Talazo In London (1987)
  • Aiyé (1987)
  • Adieu Awolowo (1987)
  • Sun-Splash (1988)
  • Fuji Headline (1988)
  • My Dear Mother (1988)
  • Fuji Rapping (1989)
  • Achievement (1989)
  • Jo Fun Mi (Dance For Me) (1990)
  • American Tips (1991)
  • Fuji Collections (1991)
  • The Ultimate (1993)
  • Consolidation (1995)
  • Reflection (1995)
  • Talazo Fuji Party Music (1995)
  • Legacy (1996)
  • Faze 2 Global Tour '96 (1996)
  • History (1997)
  • Berlin Compact Disk (1997)
  • Fuji Fusion (Okofaji Carnival) (1999)
  • New Era (2000)
  • Faze 3 (2000)
  • Message (2001)
  • Statement (2001)
  • New Lagos (2001)
  • Gourd (2002)
  • Big Deal (2003)
  • Flavour (2006)
  • Tribute To My Mentor (2011)
  • Instinct (2012)
  • Fuji Time (2012)
  • 22 Dec Fuji Ep: Let Music Flow (2017)
  • Fuji: The Sound EP (2020)
  • Timeless (2023)
  • Alafin Xtra (2024)
  • Appreciation (2025)
  • Mayor Akinpelu @ 65 (2025)
  • Olofin V (2025)
  • Akin Fijabi @ Seventy (2025)
  • Ganusi (Fuji Classical) (2025)
  • Ejigbo Mekun Day 2025 (2025)

Live Albums (Recent & Selected)

  • Ebúmàwé of Àgọ́-ìwòyè V @ 70 (2026)
  • Coronation of Ọba Olùmẹ̀gbọ́n Akínwọ́n IV (2026)
  • Allied International Club UK (2026)
  • K1 for Chief Segun Balogun (2026)
  • Alhàjá Àṣàkẹ́ @ 81 (2026)
  • Dámilọ́lá Weds Gbọ́láhàn Adélékè (2026)
  • New Year Dance (2026)
  • RTEAN for Bọ́lá Ahmed Tinubu (2026)
  • Chief (Dr.) Razak Àkàànì Òkòyà @ 85 (2025)
  • Ojúde Ọba Ẹ̀pẹ́ 2025 (2025)
  • Òró Day 2025 (2025)
  • United Kingdom Ireland Tour Live (2007)
  • The Truth Live (2007)
  • Canada Live (2000)
  • New Era Live United Kingdom (1999)
  • Afinni (1999)
  • United Kingdom Live (1988)
  • London Hamburg Amsterdam Berlin Paris 97 (1997)
  • London Hamburg Amsterdam Berlin 95 (1995)
  • Sabaka Night (1995)
  • Oju Opon (1995)
  • Fadaka Club (1995)
  • Consolidation Live Ade Bendel (1994)
  • Yuppie Night 1 & 2 (1991)
  • American Tour Live (1990)
  • Siliky (1989)
  • Golden Mercury (1986)
  • Omo Akorede (1984)
  • Talazo System (1984)

Selected Concerts

  • Eko for Show USA (1990)
  • Womad Concert (1995)
  • Benson & Hedges (1997)
  • Benson & Hedges Loud in Lagos (1999)

Awards and Honours

Year Nominee / work Award Result


1989[17] K1 De Ultimate Key to the City of San Francisco, California Honoured
1990[18] K1 De Ultimate Key to the City of Florida Honoured
2013[19] K1 De Ultimate The Headies Hall Of Fame Won
2014[20] K1 De Ultimate City People Lifetime Achievement Award Won
2020[21] K1 De Ultimate Mayegun of Yorubaland (Chieftaincy) Honoured
2022[22] K1 De Ultimate Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) Won
2022[23] K1 De Ultimate Fuji Vibrations Honorary Award Won
2023[24] K1 De Ultimate Olori Omooba of Akile Ijebuland (Chieftaincy) Honoured
2023[25] K1 De Ultimate Honorary Doctorate Degree (IPSM, England) Honoured
2024[26] K1 De Ultimate Federal Government Airport Security Ambassador Honoured
2025[27] K1 De Ultimate Balogun of Ilupeju Ekiti (Chieftaincy) Honoured

References

  1. ^ a b Harris, Craig. "Ayinde King Wasiu Marshal | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved May 29, 2016.
  2. ^ a b "K1 De Ultimate - FUJI: A OPERA". fujiopera.com. Retrieved February 28, 2026.
  3. ^ a b "King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal I - Real World Records". realworldrecords.com. Retrieved February 28, 2026.
  4. ^ a b "Fuji Music veteran 'K1 De Ultimate' clocks 60". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. March 3, 2017. Retrieved February 28, 2026.
  5. ^ "Reference at allafrica.com". AllAfrica.
  6. ^ Ezekiel, Adetunji (2024-07-15). "K1 De Ultimate Biography and information". Npickmeup. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  7. ^ "K1 De Ultimate unveils fuji The Sound EP, drops Awade". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. 2020-08-16.
  8. ^ "K1 De Ultimate on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 2026-02-28.
  9. ^ "YEAR 2025 - Live - song and lyrics by K1 De Ultimate". Spotify. Retrieved 2026-02-28.
  10. ^ "Alaafin installs Wasiu Ayinde as Mayegun of Yorubaland". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. 2020-01-14.
  11. ^ "Buhari to confer national honour of MON on Wasiu Ayinde Marshal". Nigerian Tribune. 2022-10-08.
  12. ^ "K1 De Ultimate Set to Put on Late Subomi Balogun's Big Shoes as Olori Omo Oba Akile Ijebu". ThisDay Live. 2023-09-17.
  13. ^ "Alaafin installs Wasiu Ayinde as Mayegun of Yorubaland". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. 14 January 2020.
  14. ^ Okon, Desmond (2025-08-06). "BACK STORY: How Kwam 1's unruly conduct forced ValueJet pilots to breach safety protocol". TheCable. Retrieved 2026-02-28.
  15. ^ Onah, Vanessa (2025-08-08). "ValueJet: K1 apologizes, says flask contained water, not alcohol". Daily Post. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2026-02-28.
  16. ^ Okunbor, Kelvin Osa (2025-08-09). "Abuja airport row: KWAM 1 expresses regrets as pilot tells own story". The Nation. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2026-02-28.
  17. ^ "History of K1 De Ultimate". AllMusic. Retrieved 2026-02-28.
  18. ^ "The King of Fuji Music". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2026-02-28.
  19. ^ "The Headies 2013 | View Winners List + Pictures". NotJustOk. 27 December 2013. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017.
  20. ^ "Reference at www.topcelebritiesng.com".
  21. ^ Arowosola, Umar (2020-01-13). "Alaafin installs Wasiu Ayinde as first Mayegun of Yorubaland". Premium Times. Retrieved 2026-02-28.
  22. ^ "Legendary Fuji musician KWAM 1 bags national honour". The Nation. Lagos, Nigeria. 2022-10-11. Retrieved 2026-02-28.
  23. ^ "K1 De Ultimate Honored with Honorary Award at Fuji Vibrations". YouTube. 2022-12-10. Retrieved 2026-02-28.
  24. ^ "K1 Crowned Olori Omooba of Akile Ijebuland". The Punch. 2023-09-26. Retrieved 2026-02-28.
  25. ^ "KWAM 1 Bags British Tertiary Education Honour". ThisDay. 2023-12-02. Retrieved 2026-02-28.
  26. ^ "K1 De Ultimate Appointed Airport Security Ambassador". The Sun Nigeria. 2024-08-19. Retrieved 2026-02-28.
  27. ^ "Fuji Icon K1 De Ultimate Receives Chieftaincy Title in Ilupeju Ekiti". Nigerian Tribune. 2025-02-08. Retrieved 2026-02-28.