Kwam 1: My mum wasn’t allowed to sing despite her talent

Wasiu Ayinde, the Fuji singer better known as Kwam 1, says his mother was not allowed to sing despite her talent.

In a recent interview on GoldMyneTV, the musician said his mother was a king’s daughter and his grandparents did not allow her to pursue a career in music because they wanted her to get married.

Kwam 1 added that his mother was very talented but her parents were worried that being a singer would delay her from getting married.

“I was blessed with the gift of music from a young age, I was born into music,” he said.

“My mother was a singer before she got married. She had the gift of music and she was a princess.

“She was not allowed to sing back then because she was a princess and her parents were worried that allowing her to be a musician would delay her from getting married sooner.

“Her parents said my mother won’t be allowed to sing because she is the daughter of a king.”

The 66-year-old Fuji artiste said he began singing at the age of six, adding that “music is my calling”.

Kwam 1 said he became a performer after participating in several music competitions.

“I started singing when I was six years old. I entered into music competitions in Lagos Island,” he said.

“I passed through several classes and stages from the little, intermediate and senior before I finally graduated as a performing artiste going for functions and earning money.

“I give glory to God Almighty that this is my calling and I have been able to use that music as an avenue to bring people to understand what we truly stand for and what story the society is telling.”

Wasiu Ayinde became a member of Ayinde Barrister’s band, the Supreme Fuji Commanders, from 1975 to 1978.

In 1980, he released his first album titled ‘Iba’ with the special track ‘Abode Mecca’. He later put out another album ‘Talazo ’84’ in 1984.

Kwam 1 has won many titles and several music awards.