From the moment he mounted the stage, the Ibadan born Fuji star poured out his energy in a manner that made him not just the official performer of the day but the unforgettable pulse of the ceremony.
Yet, his performance did not pass without debate. Among Fuji enthusiasts and cultural purists, questions arose over whether Saheed Osupa or King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (Kwam 1) would have been a more fitting choice for such a regal event.
Osupa with his reputation as a lyrical powerhouse is often praised for his philosophical depth and ability to cloak Fuji in proverbial wisdom. Kwam 1 on the other hand has long been regarded as the custodian of royal Fuji, his music synonymous with tradition and state occasions.
To many, either of the two would have provided the gravity and poise demanded by the installation of an Olubadan.
Taye Currency’s delivery however carried the authenticity of an Ibadan born star lifting Ibadan’s crown. His closeness with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde also weighed heavily in his favor as he has been a loyal musical voice for the governor backing him during campaigns and showing up at critical state events.
That bond made his presence at the coronation feel like an extension of political trust translated into art and he did not fail to rise to the occasion.
But excitement sometimes blurs boundaries. In the heat of his performance Currency slipped into a last minute rendition of “weyrey la fi wo weyrey” a street flavoured chant that electrified some but stunned many.
It was a song few expected to hear at a coronation steeped in tradition and royalty and it quickly became the most controversial moment of the event.
For loyalists it was Taye being Taye spontaneous fearless and entertaining. For critics it showed a lack of discernment and song selection.
They argued that a coronation of such magnitude demanded solemn Fuji pieces not chants that belong more on the streets than in a palace.
The backlash was swift. Social media users accused him of being a low profile artiste who misread the moment claiming he turned a historic royal installation into a casual party.
Some dismissed him as a performer carried away by excitement rather than one who understood the cultural weight of the day.
Still Taye Currency’s confidence betrayed no regret. Despite his humility off stage he carries a quiet conviction that he is the number one Fuji musician in Oyo State. That belief fuels his audacity to improvise at sacred events to stand where others might hesitate and to stamp his name on history even at the cost of controversy.
In the end his performance at Ladoja’s coronation was not just music it was a statement. It revealed the complex layers of a Fuji star who balances humility with ambition loyalty with rivalry and tradition with spontaneity.
Whether he misfired or stamped his identity “weyrey la fi wo weyrey” has now become part of the coronation’s memory a reminder that Taye Currency is a man impossible to ignore even in the face of criticism.
