A performance intended to celebrate tradition and pageantry at Mapo Hall on Friday has instead sparked broad online debate after Fuji star Taye Currency’s set at the coronation of Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland drew sharp criticism from a fellow traditional ruler in Ogun State.
Oba Adetokunbo Tejuosho, the Olu of Kemta Orile in Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State, publicly condemned the musician’s choice of lyrics and delivery, describing them as “disgusting and uncultured” for an occasion steeped in ritual and solemnity. The rebuke — reported by major national outlets — underlines the sensitivity that surrounds performances at high-profile traditional ceremonies, where cultural protocols often set clear expectations for dignity and decorum.
What triggered the backlash was a clip that circulated widely on social media showing Taye Currency performing a verse in Yoruba interpreted by many viewers as “Were la fi n wo were” — loosely translated as “we cure madness with madness.” Critics argued that the phrase, and variations of it woven into the live rendition, were either inappropriate for a coronation or could be read as a veiled jab at other royals. That viral footage became the focal point for commentary across X, Instagram and Facebook, prompting thousands of reactions and dozens of opinion pieces.
Notably, the coronation itself was a momentous event: former Oyo State governor Rashidi Ladoja was formally installed as the 44th Olubadan, an occasion attended by prominent political figures and Yoruba traditional rulers, and widely covered by the national press. What would have been a headline about the ceremony’s dignitaries and the Olubadan’s call for local development instead became intertwined with the debate about performance etiquette at sacred public rites.
Reactions to the musician’s performance were mixed. Some commentators and members of the public defended Taye Currency, noting that live shows often include improvised lines and that Nigerian Fuji music traditionally blends praise, social commentary and playful banter. Others echoed the monarch’s concerns: they argued that the cultural weight of a coronation requires performers to exercise restraint and sensitivity, especially in an era where every moment is amplified online. Several outlets captured the spectrum of opinion and highlighted how a short musical phrase can quickly escalate into a national conversation in the social-media era.
Cultural custodians and event organizers now face a delicate balancing act: preserving the dynamic, modern aspects of celebratory entertainment while ensuring respect for age-old traditions and protocols. The incident provides a timely reminder to promoters, artists and protocol officers to agree on performance boundaries and approved repertoires before high-stakes traditional ceremonies. Clear advance briefings and curated set lists could mitigate misunderstandings and protect both performers and the sanctity of the events they are invited to enliven.
For Taye Currency, who remains a prominent and commercially successful voice in Fuji music, the controversy is likely to be a reputational stain if not deftly managed. For Oba Ladoja and other traditional institutions, the episode underscores the continuing negotiation between contemporary popular culture and the responsibilities of custodianship in modern public life.
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