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At the New Year Dance held at the Balmoral Convention Center, Sheraton Ikeja, Lagos, Fuji music icon King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, awarded ₦20 million to his longest-serving band member, Fatai Oluperi Ayinla.
This comes after a year marked by allegations of mistreatment and disputes within the Fuji icon’s band.
In March 2024, a former drummer, Ayankunle Ayanlowo, accused K1 of mistreatment, alleging underpayment and poor working conditions. Ayanlowo claimed he was paid as little as 8,043 Naira per show and described the relationship as akin to that between a master and a slave.
In response, K1 denied these allegations, explaining that payments to band members are well-documented. He provided records showing weekly payments exceeding ₦120,000, contradicting Ayanlowo’s claims. K1 also mentioned that the band’s income-sharing formula was initially 60:40 in favor of the band but was later adjusted to 40:60, with both sides contributing 10% to pay management staff.
While some see the ₦20 million reward as a genuine act of gratitude, others speculate it might be an attempt to reshape the narrative around his relationship with his team.
Official_olumilade on Instagram stated, “I feel that if they weren’t employed on stage, then why reward them there? The whole world should know they are giving 20 million.”
“Speak up; you may suffer for it, but you pave the way for others. Big respect to Sir Ayankunle,” commented bee_boo007.
Another user added, “Kudos! This is a reward for loyalty.”
Adufez_beauty_place stated, “Are you sure this isn’t just for clout to silence people about the rumors? Because I don’t trust Ayinde; it could all be an arrangement.”
