WASIU AYINDE MARSHAL (K1)

Most of the top Nigerian musicians were born with music talent so strongly in them e.g. Fela, Obey, KSA, Ayinla Omowura Eegunmagaji Oosa, SAB, GKA, Salawa Abeni etc. Salawa Abeni was reported always singing the songs of Batili Alake from the morning until he went to bed. The same thing with K1. He was born with music talent. The talent did not allow him to stay much in the school. He was always winning the Ajiwere Ajisari Competition.

In the picture below, he was about 15 years old.

In the 1970s, long before he became K1 De Ultimate and the internationally recognised King of Fuji, a young Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, born on 3 March 1957 in Agarawu, Lagos Island, began his musical journey under the mentorship of legendary Fuji pioneer Sikiru Ayinde Barrister. He joined Barrister’s Supreme Fuji Commanders in the mid-1970s, initially working as an instrument packer before becoming a road manager, while closely observing the band’s music, performances, composition and business. Barrister became his mentor, and with his permission and blessing, Wasiu adopted “Ayinde Barrister” professionally. He later developed his own musical abilities through performances associated with the older "were" tradition during Ramadan, eventually leaving Barrister’s organisation to establish his own band, Wasiu Ayinde Barrister and His Talazo Fuji Commanders.

 His early recordings, including Iba and Abode Mecca, emerged around 1980, but his major breakthrough came with Talazo ’84, which established the influential Talazo system and helped distinguish his evolving sound from his mentor’s while remaining rooted in Fuji. He expanded the genre by incorporating keyboards, saxophones, electric guitars and other Western instruments, creating a fuller and more sophisticated sound. An important supporter of his early career was Saliu Akanmu Adetunji(the late Olubadan of Ibadanland), the Ibadan businessman, promoter and owner of Omo Aje/Baba Laje Records, whose label released Talazo ’84 and numerous other Wasiu Ayinde records.

Over subsequent decades, Wasiu transformed from Barrister’s apprentice into a major Fuji bandleader and international performer, including an appearance at the 1996 WOMAD Festival in Reading, where he was recognised as Best African Artist. He also received traditional honours, including the Olu Omo of Lagos title from the late Oba Adeyinka Oyekan II, although sources differ on whether it was conferred in 1999 or 2001. From carrying instruments for his mentor in the 1970s to developing the Talazo style, modernising Fuji and taking the music to international audiences, Wasiu Ayinde’s journey represents a remarkable evolution from young apprentice to one of Fuji music’s most influential and recognisable ambassadors. He is today the richest Fuji musician. He is the Mayegun of Yorubaland and Olori Omo Oba Akile Ijebuland and Ijebu Remo. He almost became the Awujale of Ijebu Ode but some elemies stopped him.

Picture: La Stampa Soa Olaribigbe 

Source: Ayoade Davidson Ojeniyi