10/10/2024
TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY!
But today’s celebration won’t hold, because I choose to use this my special day to remember this fallen hero
‘Ras Ken’ (OGBO nwa Sai)
Ras Ken was the first relative who actually made me feel I have an uncle, he was the first uncle I really loved, from his looks, to his dreadlocks, his style of music, how he Carries himself, his kindness towards humanity and the kind of music he listens to (Reggae).
From him I learned that Rasta is a religion and not just a music genre.
He made me fall in love with ’Reggae music’ as a gospel and not just another musical rhythm mixed with rhyme.
I got to listen to reggae gospel tunes like Luciano, Culture, Burning Spear, Eric Donaldson, UB40, Bunny wailer, U Roy, Buju Banton, Jimmy Cliff, Gregory Isaacs, Denis Brown, Peter Touch, Bob Marley and the wailers, etc.
Despite having a very long dreadlocks (dada) and despite being a man of few words, his lifestyle alone preached to me more than many of the religious preachers I had listened to.
This made me decide that if this is how dreadlocked dada people behave, I will also keep dreadlocks someday too.
Ras Ken was the reason I went into music (no regrets) and he influenced my dada.
He died on the 24th of December, 2004.
I can never forget. . .
I choose to use my birthday to remember my fallen hero ❤️
Keep resting sir!
Only the living can remember the dead.
- Christopher Emenike Obaji.
