The icy relationship between Fuji music legend, Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, and his erstwhile protégé, Alhaji Taye Akande Adebisi, popularly known as Taye Currency, has escalated into an open feud that has left fans and industry insiders shocked.
What was once a mentor-protégé relationship has devolved into what appears to be an irreparable rift, with both parties now throwing subtle and overt jabs at each other.
The latest development occurred during Taye Currency’s 50th birthday celebration. Known for his usual camaraderie and public displays of goodwill towards his colleagues, Pasuma shocked many by snubbing the Ibadan-based Fuji maestro on his milestone birthday.
For weeks, there had been whispers of unresolved tensions between the two, with sources claiming that efforts by Fuji music stalwarts, including King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (K1), to mediate peace had repeatedly hit a brick wall.
While Pasuma’s refusal to publicly acknowledge Taye Currency’s 50th birthday appeared to be a calculated move, insiders suggest it may be his way of severing ties entirely with his one-time protégé.
The perceived snub was further amplified by Pasuma’s silence on social media, a stark departure from his tradition of celebrating colleagues and mentees on their special occasions.
“Pasuma’s silence is deafening,” an industry source said. “It’s not just about the birthday snub. This is a message – and it’s loud and clear. He’s done with Taye Currency, and this is his way of making that known to everyone.”
However, the drama doesn’t end there. In what appears to be a tit-for-tat move, Taye Currency is reportedly set to boycott Pasuma’s much-anticipated 40 Years on Stage celebration scheduled to take place today in Lagos.
The event, which is expected to draw eminent Nigerians and Fuji music elites, might suffer the conspicuous absence of one of Pasuma’s closest allies turned adversaries.
“Taye Currency is ready to pay Pasuma back in his own coin,” a source close to the Ibadan Fuji maestro revealed. “For him, respect is reciprocal. If Pasuma thinks he can ignore him at such a crucial time, then he shouldn’t expect anything less in return.”
The feud between the two Fuji powerhouses is the culmination of weeks of simmering tension that reportedly began with a “war of words” and has now spilled into public view.
While the exact cause of their rift remains unclear, speculation is rife that underlying jealousy and unresolved grievances have fueled the animosity.
Industry heavyweights and fans alike have expressed dismay at the public fallout, calling for an end to the bitterness threatening to overshadow their contributions to the Fuji music genre.
Some insiders fear that if the feud continues unchecked, it could disrupt the harmony within the Fuji music circle, which thrives on collaborations and mutual support.
As the curtains rise on Pasuma’s 40 Years on Stage event, all eyes will be on whether Taye Currency makes a surprise appearance or stays away as anticipated.
What is certain, however, is that the once-vibrant camaraderie between these two Fuji titans has turned into an unsettling rivalry – one that leaves fans and observers wondering if peace will ever reign again.
READ MORE FROM: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
