Backlash trails K1 De ultimate over ‘disrespect’ to Ooni

Fuji music icon, K1 De Ultimate, is once again under fire. This time for what many consider a public show of disrespect towards the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.

In a video currently making the rounds on social media, K1 was seen at an event exchanging pleasantries with the revered Yoruba monarch. But it wasn’t the conversation that caught people’s attention, it was the manner in which he greeted the king.

Rather than prostrating, which is the traditional Yoruba way of greeting a king, especially one of the Ooni’s stature, K1 opted for a simple handshake.

The move did not sit well with many viewers, who flooded the comment section accusing the veteran singer of pride and cultural insensitivity.

Read some netizens’ reactions below;

@Asarailu: Who is K1? that he cannot prostrate for Ooni Abi my eyes no dey see well ni.

@oba_swagger: K1 is like a king on his own according to his title.

@kingatos: And you people will be begging Osupa not to disrespect k1.
He keeps demanding for it.

@success2791: He was crowned Mayegun of Yoruba land by the late Alaafin of Oyo and since then it has turned to a taboo for him to prostrate for any king.

@Datsijaiye: Ooni turned himself to a commoner and you expect a different result ?
The man goes to every party
Look, he has chiefs and Oloris that can represent him but trust Kabiyesi, he is the one who will always show up.
You can be humble yet dignified. It starts with becoming less common.

@Ayoappeal: He won’t even try this with Olu of Warri let alone Oba of Benin. If someone is even your friend, the moment their status changes, you should respect them. This is the Oonirisa, gosh

This latest uproar is reminiscent of a similar episode in 2024, when K1 was criticised for his tone during a phone conversation with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu following the death of his (K1) mother. Many felt he sounded too casual and failed to accord the necessary respect to the president, even though others defended him on the grounds of their close relationship.

As of the time of this report, K1 De Ultimate is yet to respond to the backlash.