Lord of Music, King Saheed Osupa Tops K1 On Spotify, Signalling A New Era For Fuji Music

Alhaji Arems 

King Dr. Saheed Osupa has quietly pulled off something few expected this year — he has overtaken King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, to become the most listened-to Fuji artist on Spotify. As of the morning of November 8, 2025, Osupa leads with just over 241,000 monthly listeners, while K1 follows closely with about 237,800. It’s a slim margin, but symbolically powerful — a generational shift within one of Nigeria’s most enduring music traditions.

For decades, K1 has been Fuji’s defining figure — the genre’s global ambassador and the man who refined its street grit into elegant performance art. To see Osupa briefly edge ahead of him online isn’t a dethronement; it’s a reflection of how the Fuji audience is evolving. The streaming world operates by different rules, rewarding consistency, catalog freshness, and algorithmic engagement. In that sense, Osupa’s climb feels less like a surprise and more like a logical outcome of years spent maintaining digital presence while still feeding his grassroots following.

The figures themselves tell a layered story. Osupa’s 241,000 monthly listeners come from a blend of new singles, refreshed catalog tracks, and growing playlist placements — factors that keep his songs circulating far beyond physical markets. K1, on the other hand, has maintained steady streaming numbers rooted in long-term loyalty rather than recent release activity. Both artists command huge audiences offline, but it’s Osupa who seems to have cracked the digital rhythm of modern music discovery.

Adewale Ayuba, the Bonsue Fuji innovator, currently follows with roughly 83,000 monthly listeners, while Pasuma holds around 51,000. Other Fuji stalwarts like Malaika, Obesere, Taye Currency, and Remi Aluko complete a list that reflects Fuji’s layered ecosystem — still deeply Yoruba, still grounded in live performance, but now steadily migrating into the world of playlists, algorithmic radio, and global reach.

Osupa’s rise carries a deeper significance. Fuji was never built for the streaming model — its long tracks, improvisational vocals, and heavy percussion once seemed out of sync with the short attention spans of digital audiences. But the last few years have rewritten that assumption. As listeners explore more Nigerian genres beyond Afrobeats, Fuji’s textures are finding new resonance — both with diaspora audiences longing for roots, and with younger Nigerians rediscovering the classics through social media clips and curated playlists.

K1’s legacy remains unmatched; his innovation is what made the genre visible beyond its original circles. Yet the landscape is changing. Digital visibility now runs on momentum — and Osupa, through steady releases and active online engagement, has mastered the art of staying in rotation. His social clips, live footage, and catalog promotions all feed Spotify’s discovery system, keeping him in the ears of new and returning listeners alike.

Still, this isn’t a rivalry of crowns. It’s a moment that shows Fuji’s continued relevance in an era dominated by Afrobeats and street pop. The data simply proves what the culture already knows: Fuji never left; it just found new speakers. And in 2025, King Dr. Saheed Osupa stands as proof that tradition can thrive in transition — that a sound born in Oyo’s streets can still command the global stream, one listener at a time.

“Our gods’ and Our Ancestors Are With You”- Esama Of Benin Kingdom Hosts Lancelot Imasuen, Blesses Him

The Esama of Benin Kingdom, His Excellence Chief Sir Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, has given his blessings to the celebration of Africa’s most consistent filmmaker, Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen’s 30-years behind camera.

During a courtesy visit to the revered Billionaire and visitor to Nigeria premiere university,Sir Igbinedion said, “as the gods of our ancestors are with you, continue to uphold what you have been doing. Make sure that the Edo language movie industry does not die.”

Esama also charges Lancelot as he receives him in his palatial residence in Okada, Benin, the Edo State capital.

The proud epitome of Benin culture who received Lancelot and his entourage said Lancelot must continue to hold the light, continue to sustain the tempo of Edo language movies and must not let the movie industry in Edo to die.

“It is a commitment I’m giving to you. I have always supported you and in this your celebration, you have all my support.”

Also as part of the activities lined up in celebration of DGuv at 30, Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen will be unveiling a trip-in-motion, a memoir that chronicles his experience in the landscape of Nollywood on Thursday, 27th November, 2025 at the iconic Mike Adenuga’s elegant edifice, Alliance Française, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The book, written by renowned poet and
author of “The Broken Cross and Bush Radio”, Godson Osarenren and will be unveiled in Lagos as climax to a two-week long celebration of Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen 30-years behind the camera.

Distinguished guests, Nollywood’s best, diplomats, captains of industries, top politicians,, socialites, and friends of Lancelot Imasuen are all expected to grace this high octane and star-studded event.

At the event, Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen will be giving an award to appreciate men and women who have supported his lifelong career in the make believe world. Notable among them are; Late Captain Hosa Okubor, Senator Daisy Danjuma, Sir Emmanuel Isikaku who was the first person that funded Lancelot’s film in the year 1996 and several other notable individuals, as the launch is intended to be a packed event.

Lancelot’s 30-years behind the camera celebration will start on November 15th, 2015 with an open street casting that is going to happen in various major streets in Benin and ending at the place where he grew up as a young child. Then, the colloquium, which will be the major event, will take place in Benin, which will see the unveiling of Oduwa Imasuen Lancelot, OIL Foundation. A Foundation that is poised to help resuscitating and rejuvenating dramatic and Film Clubs across various schools in Edo State.

Don Ziggy Set to Headline AY Live Manchester in a Night of Laughter and Rhythm

Manchester is preparing to welcome one of Africa’s rising entertainment stars, Don Ziggy, as he takes centre stage at AY Live Manchester on Sunday, November 2, 2025. The celebrated performer is set to bring his trademark blend of charisma, humour, and stage energy to what promises to be one of the city’s most memorable nights of the year.

The event, which will take place at The Lighthouse Church, Eccles, is part of the global AY Live series — a show renowned for blending comedy, music, and cultural celebration in spectacular fashion. Presented by PM Productions and packaged by Lanre Makun Events, this year’s Manchester edition will see Don Ziggy join an impressive lineup of acts delivering premium entertainment to an international audience.

For Don Ziggy, who has steadily built a name across Africa and the UK for his magnetic stage presence and witty performances, the upcoming show marks another milestone in his fast-growing career. Known for his dynamic delivery and relatable humour, the performer has developed a loyal fan base that spans continents. His participation in AY Live Manchester signals not just his artistic growth, but also his expanding influence within the global entertainment scene.

Speaking ahead of the show, organizers described Don Ziggy as one of the major highlights of the night. “Don Ziggy has an incredible connection with audiences,” said a spokesperson for PM Productions. “His ability to blend comedy, storytelling, and performance makes him a perfect fit for AY Live’s international platform. Manchester is in for a real treat.”

The show will also feature other guest artists and performers, alongside a vibrant crowd of fans eager to experience a taste of Africa’s finest entertainment right in the heart of the UK. With a mix of music, dance, and comedy, the night promises to be a cultural celebration that captures the spirit of home for many in the diaspora.

Tickets are available on Eventbrite and through local outlets such as Roots Restaurant and Bar, Blossom Cosmetics Shop, Ifeoma Restaurant, Next Level Restaurant, and Vibez Club Bolton. Prices range from £30 for regular admission to £55 for VIP, with premium table options also on offer.

Supported by sponsors including Nollypeek, AfroVibez, Efosk, Kollex, and The African Corner, with Mama Suyà as the official food vendor and Air Peace as the official airline, AY Live Manchester is shaping up to be a world-class production.

As anticipation builds, all eyes are on Don Ziggy, whose magnetic presence and unique flair are expected to light up the stage. For fans of African entertainment in Manchester, this is one night not to be missed — a showcase of laughter, rhythm, and undeniable star power.