The saxophonist of Fuji music star, Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, Olawale Adekoya, has apologised over the viral stage performance that sparked outrage on social media, saying the singer was not responsible for the controversial chant.
In a video shared on his TikTok page on Sunday, Adekoya said he was taking “full responsibility” for interpreting the drum rhythm, known as alujo, which many linked to the ongoing paternity controversy involving the Fuji musician.
K1 came under criticism after a viral video showed him singing about “unnecessary pregnancy” during a performance, days after a woman, Ogechi Eleana, alleged in an interview that the singer abandoned her and their 12-year-old daughter.
Although the performance followed the allegations, K1 did not directly state that the song referred to the woman or her claims.
Addressing the backlash, Adekoya said the rhythm had existed in the band’s repertoire for years and only recently acquired different playful interpretations among band members.
“I will start by taking full responsibility for whatever happened on stage on that particular day because I was the one who interpreted the alujo to Alhaji when the percussionists were playing the beats.
“And I think where everything went bad was the fact that it happened at a very sensitive period, which I take full responsibility and accountability for,” he said.
He explained that the rhythm originated from percussionist Ayokunle Ayolowo after he rejoined the band and had become one of K1’s favourite alujo beats.
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.
“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 Ayokunle Ayolowo rejoined the band. He was the one who originated the beat.
“But as at that time, it had no meaning, it had no interpretation, and it has become one of Alhaji’s favourite alujo so far. He’s always excited whenever he hears the beat,” Adekoya said.
The celebrity saxophonist added that the phrase now attracting criticism was only one of several humorous versions the band had invented long before the allegations against K1 became public.
He insisted that K1 neither created nor suggested the interpretation.
“To be honest, this is why I’m making this video, because Alhaji knew nothing about this. He was not involved in the interpretation, he never told us anything, he didn’t put any words to our mouth.
“That was why he was really shocked that, ‘Ah! So you guys eventually found a meaning to this rhythm?’”
Adekoya also denied that the band was mocking the woman or her daughter during the performance.
“We were all excited that day. We were not laughing because of the mother and the daughter. We were not referring to anybody. It was just a fun moment. That’s all. It was totally harmless and not intentional,” he said.
He apologised on behalf of the band’s percussionists and other members, acknowledging that the performance came at the wrong time.
“Whatever reactions we are getting online now is expected because it happened at a very sensitive period, and we are very sorry about it.
“On behalf of the percussionist and the whole band, we are very, very sorry about it. And to everyone who was hurt, disappointed, please, please, please, we are very, very sorry.”
Adekoya added that he was making the video voluntarily.
“I’m not doing this video out of threat or pressure because I wasn’t pressured to do any video. I’m doing this with all honesty and sincerity.
“We had different versions to this alujo, but we accept the fact that it came at the very wrong time. Please, we are sorry.”
By Saheed Oyelakin
