Wasiu Ayinde: Artistes cashing out from political rallies

Like it happens during every political ‘season’ in the country, many artistes have been singing the praises of politicians at campaign grounds, and smiling to the bank while at it. Saturday Beats takes a look at some of the artistes, who are the toast of politicians

K1 De Ultimate

Fuji maestro, Wasiu Ayinde, aka K1 De Ultimate, is not new to singing at the political rallies of the All Progressive Congress. He is also a member of the party, and an ally of the presidential candidate of the party, Bola Tinubu.

In recent times, K1 has performed at the APC’s rallies in Abeokuta (Ogun State), Ilorin (Kwara State), Osun State, and other places

In 2015, K1 was reported to have donated some gadgets to support the APC’s campaigns in Lagos State. He also performed at many of the rallies during that period.

At the time, he had said, “These are gadget that can make information get to people so fast. I want to try as much as possible to contribute my little quota to the party.”

Taye Currency

Fuji singer, Taye Adebisi, aka Taye Currency, is a popular face at major Peoples Democratic Party events and rallies in the southwest, particularly Oyo State. The singer is considered a major stakeholder in the party, which earned him a political appointment as the Special Assistant to the Governor on Entertainment.

His son, Yusuf, is also a member of the Oyo State House of Assembly, on the platform of the PDP.

In January 2023, Currency was spotted with other party chieftains on the campaign trail, while dishing out some of his songs.

Portable

Controversial singer, Habeeb Okikiola, aka Portable, has shown that as far as romancing politicians is concerned, he does not have a preference.

In 2022, he was in Osun State to campaign for the then incumbeng governor, Gboyega Oyetola, on the platform of the All Progressives Congress. His presence in the state generated controversy, particularly because he flaunted a wad of cash, which he claimed was given to him by Oyetola. He went on to urge people of the state to vote for Oyetola; only to backtrack after the former governor lost the election. He claimed that he only campaigned for Oyetola because of the money he was paid.

Recently, he was on the campaign train of the senatorial candidate of the Accord Party in Oyo State, Shina Peller.

Sensation Bamidele

A singer, Oluwabamidele Adeeko, aka Sensation Bamidele, is the popular voice that accompanies Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, of the Peoples Democratic Party, public gatherings and rallies.

The singer is known for spicing up Wike’s speeches with songs that often mock the governor’s political enemies.

Many will recall that Wike often dances with glee to Bamidele’s songs. One of his popular lyrics says, ‘As e dey pain them, e dey sweet us’. The song went so viral that a singer used the lyrics in a song he recently released titled, ‘Pain Dem’.

In an interview with Saturday Beats, Bamidele stated that his songs are not to spite perceived political opponents or enemies of the party, but to give him (Wike) the ‘vibes’ he needs to fight those against him.

He said, “I don’t join him in fighting his perceived opponents. Neither do I fight those making him angry. I only give him the ‘vibes’ that he needs to fight those against him.”