IN MEMORY OF ‘JAIYE ABODERIN 1971 – 2004

On December 3, it was exactly two years since our friend Jaiye Aboderin died mysteriously. Two years since he slumped and died, after a lunch meeting and a basketball game. It’s sill difficult to imagine how such an enterprising fellow, brimming with life and soaked in ideas, could kick the bucket, just like that, at only 33 years of age!

Many of us have moved ahead, remembering the dude occasionally in our subconscious… even is wife has got her groove back…but if you knew Jay, interacted with him, and understood his spirit, you’ll agree it’ll be a waste to allow him fade away just like that…I’m particularly perturbed that those closest to him have chosen to abandon those things he held most dearly while he lived: Synergy, the band and equipment leasing company he so cherished, has since gone under. His wife now heads a band called G factor; his solo album, for which he traveled to South Africa repeatedly in his last days, has not seen the light of day…Boy records, his South African label, wants Stella or the Aboderins to cough out over $5,000 before the album can be released…

I remember the day we buried him at VGC cemetery. Almost everyone that had eyes wept. Men cried like babies, and women wailed profusely, tempting one to believe they wouldn’t mind being buried with Jay. But soon we all left him alone, among the non-living; for his soul to be with God, and his body to dwell in the soil. Sad that we had to leave our brother alone, out in the cold, buried under the earth, all by himself, carving a niche for himself among co-dead, and beginning a new ‘life ‘ all over again…we left him to die, and rest in peace…we had no choice, guess it was the best we could do…but , we do have a choice to let his dreams live… we have that one choice

As the second anniversary of his death rolls by, if we spend a minute to remember him, we would just have started a long process of ensuring that he lives, through us, again. We might even want to spill a few ink, pen a few words in his favour, to re-invent his brief life, and appeal to his widow, siblings, partners and friends to let his unfinished businesses see the light of day… Jaiye slumped and died, the doctors couldn’t save him… someone can save Synergy. … He can’t hit the studios anymore, but his recorded works can hit the shelves and move amazing units – maybe even win some awards! I believe!

Please pray for God to grant his soul rest. And for all of us living, to have the wisdom to live through each day, as if we’ll not see the next.

Here’s something I wrote in December 2004. I’ve made a few adjustments. Hop someone finds it interesting. Don’t worry. We actually had the interview – in my dreams!

THE JAIYE ABODERIN INTERVIEW

”Bros Jay, it’s been a long time.”

”Yeah, I guess so, about 24 months?”

‘It’s actually very close to that. You just left without telling anyone.”

”No, I didn’t intend to. I was planning a different trip entirely, to South Africa,

before this one came up. And it all happened so fast there was no time to tell

anyone. I couldn’t even take my phone,”

”I guess you wouldn’t have found need for it. But you threw us all down here into great confusion. It’s so strange how some of us still hope and wish you’ll return soon. Will you?”

”Nah Bro. I don’t think so. They said only one man has been here and back.

Moreover, I got so much to do here; it’ll be difficult to leave for a second.

You’ll see what I mean when you get here…”

”No, not so soon.”

”They all keep saying that. Even Tope Brown is yet to believe he’s here but

Gbenga Adeboye has been counselling him. Anyway, how are things back home?”

”We’re all missing you.”

”Still missing me?”

Yeah.Tunde and Wunmi Obe did a song for you with Freestyle, Ruggedman

and Mode Nine. Remember Bobby Michaels? He’s done a song and mini

documentary for you too. And I hear Stella’s recorded hers too.”

“Whao! That sounds nice. I was really feeling Mode Nine before I left. But … Stella, I thought she was doing a song with Wunmi, what happened to it?”

“Men bro, a lot has happened since you left,. Stella and Wunmi were not on talking terms until few months ago when we held a tribute party for you. She was planning a separate party for you at The Vault before she changed her mind. Then I guess she changed her mind again and decided not to come”.

“Stella, I really loved her. How has she been? And my kids?”

“Oh great. She cried her eyes out at the burial and then quickly got her groove back. You know how it is, celebrity style. The kids must be getting used to their new home by now. And I hear she still pays their school fees. You must have left her a lot of bucks”.

“Depends on what you mean by a lot”.

“And then, she’s been working too. But what I don’t like is her night life and happy-go-girl attitude”.

“Yeah, someone mentioned it last week while I was rehearsing with the angels. But it makes no difference to me now. I guess she’s got her life to live, especially since I left so early”.

“No. That’s stale gist. Tell me something new. Moreover, those things don’t matter where I am.”

“How are my guys, Segun Giwa, Dele Olukoju, Gbenga Obasanjo, and others?”

“Don’t know about Giwa, but Dele Olukoju is married, he’s now with Richardson and Briggs, I think Gbenga is having problems with his marriage”

“How about Rosco and the other guys at Synergy?”

“Believe me, I don’t know. I think Synergy has been disbanded. But Rosco has always been around. Don’t know more than that, but I think Stella formed her another band.

“That’s sad. We were like one little family.”

“I know they still love and miss you. Even those of us that were not so close, still do. Most of us still have your number on our phones. Wunmi says she dials it from time to time. And you needed to have seen the outpour of love during your anniversary. Both at the concert and in the papers. I wonder if the industry will celebrate me so if I die now.”

“Yeah, I know a lot of people love me from the heart, especially my family and few close friends. But it pains me that some people are crying in the open while in their closets; they are scheming how to have my wife. How many people have come out on deals we were doing together or paid money they owed me? I’m not fooled by all that stuff. I’m just happy where I am. There is too much wickedness in your world; I wonder how you guys are surviving”.

“So you don’t miss home at all?”

“Well, I do. I miss my games, PS2, basketball; I miss my kids and of course, my family. I miss Synergy too. But I’m not doing badly here”.

“How?”

“I’m almost through with my album. I’ve got Brenda, Lebo and Fela on it. Been trying to get 2Pac but his agents are impossible. And if you see anyone coming here, please tell Stella to send my master CD. I need to redo some songs on it”.

“Alright. But how about sending us your new album? I’m sure Obaino or TJOE would be interested in marketing it. Or we could even give it to Kennis”.

“No problem, I’ll send it. Maybe when Jesus is coming … Hey, I’ve got to go! It’s time for rehearsals. Please, say me well to Wunmi, Angela, Wale, Tunde, Salewa and all my people. Tell Stella I still love her!”

“Alright. But … Hello! Hello! Hello.”

AYENI ADEKUNLE SAMUEL