Fuji music icon, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, widely known as K1 De Ultimate, has shared a rare tribute to the woman he says laid the foundation for his legendary career: his late mother, Alhaja Halima Anifowoshe.
In a video that surfaced online on Tuesday morning, the revered singer opened a window into his early life, crediting his mother not just as an influence but as his first true mentor in music. More poignantly, he disclosed that she served as his composer during her lifetime, a role many never knew she played.
“My mother taught me the rudiment of singing,” K1 said, his voice firm but reflective. “As a young maiden, she was a singer herself. A princess by birth, but denied the chance to showcase her talent because of her royal duties and the expectation to marry early. Everything she couldn’t become musically was transferred to me by divine arrangement. She was my composer on many occasions.”
The statement sheds new light on the roots of the Fuji legend’s sound—one built not only on talent and hustle but on inherited artistry, shaped in the quiet spaces of mother-son collaboration.
This heartfelt admission arrives just five months after the singer announced the passing of his mother in January 2025. The loss marked a solemn moment in the cultural calendar, with tributes pouring in from fans, dignitaries, and fellow artistes. “May her soul rest in peace, Alhaja Alimotu Shadiya Omoakeredolu Aya Anifowoshe. Iya rere. Sun re oo,” read the public announcement at the time, accompanied by a photo of K1 and his mother in an affectionate embrace.
Now, through his latest project, Gànúṣì: The Album Music Classical, K1 is honouring her memory the only way he knows how, through music. The album blends deeply personal storytelling with cultural depth, offering a mature, nuanced sound that pays homage to his heritage while opening up new dimensions of vulnerability. Fans and critics alike have hailed the project as one of his most introspective works to date.
The video, quietly powerful in its tone, has sparked widespread emotional reactions across social media platforms, with many lauding K1 for acknowledging the silent hands that shaped his greatness. In an industry where public tributes often come too late or feel manufactured, this moment stands apart for its authenticity.
K1 De Ultimate, a staple in Nigeria’s music legacy, is no stranger to reinvention. Yet this revelation may be the most human chapter of his story so far, a reminder that behind every musical icon, there are often unsung heroes, sometimes found within the family home.
