The coronation ceremony of the new Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, took a dramatic twist on Friday when popular fuji musician, Taye Currency, came under heavy criticism for his choice of lyrics during his performance.
The monarch was officially installed two months after the passing of his predecessor, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, in a colourful ceremony attended by dignitaries such as President Bola Tinubu, Governor Seyi Makinde, the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Adeoye, the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale, and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade.
However, what should have been a day of pure celebration quickly stirred controversy. While performing, Taye Currency sang a line that read: “Were la fi n wo were”, translated as “we used insanity to cure insanity.” The statement sparked outrage, with many Nigerians describing it as an embarrassment to the historic occasion.
The backlash immediately trended on X (formerly Twitter), where users condemned both the musician and the organizers for what they considered an ill-suited performance.
Some of the reactions compiled include:
@Frank24net: “Werey la fi’wo werey na song? Nonsense.”
@olatunbosun006: “Total embarrassment to his family. NOT Ibadan people. On coronation day?”
@Fortune4me_ola: “Who gave him mic to sing this rubbish in coronation?”
@OluwaferanmiDan: “It’s not his fault now; it’s the fault of the organizers that platformed someone whose last musical boom was 17 years ago. Weyrey la fi n wo weyrey ni coronation? Afi weyrey naa.”
@babasafeez: “It’s obviously political. Why picking Taye over Osupa or K1 for coronation, even Paso and Malaika would have delivered well. É sha ma fi werey ghade lo.”
@fesooyebade: “It was a historic disappointment, an embarrassment to Ibadan indigenes at home and in the diaspora. The songs were not fitting for such a historic occasion. I am certain there are thousands of Ibadan musicians who would have delivered better.”
The incident has sparked debates on the choice of artistes for royal ceremonies and whether organizers should prioritize cultural sensitivity over popularity.
