Filmmaker and former music manager Ayo Shonaiya has shared a striking memory of his time working with Fuji legend K1 De Ultimate, recalling how the musician warned him about the mixed reactions he could face when performing in his hometown of Isale Eko, Lagos.
In a post attributed to Shonaiya and shared on X by the account @carter8f, he recounted how he and K1, whose real name is Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, went to perform a free show in the musician’s neighbourhood.
According to Shonaiya, K1 issued a warning before they even stepped out of their vehicle. Some people would be pleased to see him, while others might not be so welcoming. 
The anecdote has offered a glimpse into the complicated personal relationships that can exist behind the fame of one of Nigeria’s most recognisable Fuji musicians.
Ayo Shonaiya’s experience managing K1 De Ultimate
Shonaiya recalled K1 telling him that if he saw the musician exchanging blows with someone during the performance, he should not intervene. He reportedly described such encounters as a way some of his old acquaintances greeted one another.
SEE ALSO: Ooni of Ife’s Ex-Wife Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi Graduates From University 10 Years After 1st JAMB
Shonaiya’s recollection comes from a period when he worked closely with K1 De Ultimate, helping manage the Fuji star’s career and international activities.
In an interview with Punch, Shonaiya described managing K1 as his entry into the music industry. He recalled travelling with the musician, experiencing the pressures of life around a major star and learning first-hand what performers face on and off stage.
Shonaiya became involved with K1’s team in 1999, when he was working on a documentary about the musician and serving as his legal consultant. He subsequently took on a management role, helping organise international performances and tours.
His experience with K1 later informed his work with other Nigerian music acts, including D’banj, Don Jazzy and eLDee the Don.
K1 De Ultimate’s deep roots in Lagos
K1 De Ultimate has built a career spanning decades, becoming one of the most influential names in Fuji music. His rise helped take the genre to wider audiences in Nigeria and beyond, while his energetic performances and distinctive sound cemented his place in the country’s entertainment industry.
His connection to Lagos is also part of the story. Isale Eko, on Lagos Island, is associated with the city’s older communities and cultural history. Returning to a familiar neighbourhood as a celebrated musician can mean encountering people who remember a performer from long before fame, wealth and public recognition changed his circumstances.
Shonaiya’s account does not establish that a fight actually occurred at the show. Rather, it captures the unusual warning K1 reportedly gave his manager before the event, suggesting that the musician understood the unpredictable nature of returning to a place filled with old relationships.
The story behind the fame
For fans, the memory offers a different perspective on K1 De Ultimate beyond his status as a Fuji icon. It points to the personal histories that can follow entertainers into public life, even when they return home to perform for free.
It also highlights Shonaiya’s experience behind the scenes of Nigeria’s music industry, where managing a major artiste involves more than arranging concerts and promoting records.
Sometimes, as his recollection suggests, it also means you have to be prepared for the unexpected.
ALSO READ: Billionaire Razaq Okoya’s Alleged 1st Son Fatai Apologises After 40 Years
About The Author
