Backlash as K1 uses stage performance to ‘claim’ son after 15 years

The long-rumored relationship between Fuji legend K1 De Ultimate (Wasiu Ayinde Marshall) and Nollywood actress Bisola Badmus was confirmed with a dramatic flourish in Lagos on Thursday, November 27 when the musician finally acknowledged their 15-year-old son.

The emotional scene unfolded during K1’s live performance, when Malik Anifowoshe, aware that his father was the one performing, walked up to the stage to greet him.

At first, K1 did not recognise the boy, and witnesses said he looked genuinely confused.

But after a closer look, he suddenly pulled Malik in for a warm embrace, prayed for him, and accepted him publicly for the first time in 15 years.

But while the moment melted hearts inside the venue, Nigerians online were not so quick to applaud.

For over a decade, the paternity saga had been marked by silence, denial, and distance.

Bisola Badmus has long spoken about going through a lot raising Malik alone, especially as she battled a brain tumour that kept her in and out of hospital, with funds at some point publicly raised for her treatment.

Sources close to the family have claimed that K1 occasionally sent money to support Bisola during her illness, but he never accepted responsibility for the boy or associated with him publicly not until Thursday’s dramatic moment.

This is why many Nigerians felt the public embrace came too late and too conveniently.

One social media user on Facebook where the video trended said: “This man just likes to be in the news for the wrong reasons. So he waited for the boy to walk up to him on stage before accepting him? Why not do this years ago?”

Another commenter didn’t spare K1 or Bisola: “The joke is on both of them. Why does it look like they’re forcing the son on his father? Something is not right.”

Another user with the name Femite Cruise said: “Why wait until the boy is Instagram age before acknowledging him? From the way K1 looked at first, he didn’t even recognise his own child.”

While some Nigerians applauded the eventual reconciliation, others described it as performative, late, and insensitive, especially given Bisola’s years of suffering and the boy’s long wait for recognition.

Persecondnews reports that the party had in attendance actresses and socialites who were thrilled by K1’s music even as they rejoiced with Badmus.