This is the question that has been weighing on my mind ever since I heard the devastating news that this outstanding, first amongst his equals talent had passed unto the great beyond.
Infact I refused to believe it at first,hence my frantic search on the internet hoping and wishing that the “rumour” would be false.I mean no be naija? How many times have we heard of false rumours been peddled about death of celebrities or those in the public eye?

Alas,it was not to be,Omo Akogun was truly gone.Then it truly sank in,then I cried,then I asked myself why was i crying?
He wasn’t family,he wasn’t even a friend,yet I was hurt beyond belief.

My first taste of Da-Grin was when a tight verse on the remix of “We are Africans” caught my attention.So much so,that I repeated just that part over ten times.Something about the pint sized guy spitting fire in Yoruba made me sit up and pay attention.

Those who know my taste in music would attest to the fact that when it comes to Naija songs,I like it 100% pure,I do not have time of day for all that wannabe ebonics cum yankee nonsense that some artistes seem to hang unto.
THAT was a reason why I loved 9ice.
BUT Da-Grin was different.He touched a very raw spot.

Hence my journey towards becoming a fan commenced.I searched for anything with him in it,and boy was I impressed.
He just didn’t rap,he made a lot of sense.Anyone who could have taken the time out to listen to his rhymes word for word,would realise that he was a master storyteller.
Omo-Ogun brought us into his world,whether we be priviledged or not,we all felt something.

On one of the online comments,someone mentioned that he was a labourer before he came into the limelight.They said he was humble.Then hotter tears rolled down my cheeks.

That was when it hit me as to why we all felt this loss so greatly.

Da-Grin was down to earth,he was every mans man.He represented that story we all want to hear,he was that guy everyone rooted for,a part of us just wanted him to keep shooting upward,he was that guy we knew would never forget where he was coming from.
C.E.O. was the guy whose presence said “this is who I am,take it or leave it,I stay true to myself”.
He had no shame in letting the world know that there was a time in his life where all he had was just a pair of shoes,when he would eat concoctions without salt,when he was told to pack it up,some even told him he was local,and hip-hop ain’t his thing.

YES,it truly hit me why his death has caused a dark cloud to pass over us.
Da-Grin Is that part of each of us that the world needs to see,but we are usually too caught up in the irrelevancies of life to show it.
Some of us come from dirt poor backgrounds, but then once the high life comes we forget where we came from.
Some of us are priviledged,and are too hung up about our perfect lives to listen to that “ghetto childs,ghetto dream”.
Da-grin made us confront something in ourselves.

His death has now made us all realise that it TRULY can be any one of us at ANY time.
I said to myself that if this guy who had no hope in hell in such a “who is your father” society,could have made such an impact on so many people,followed his dreams and stayed determined,and got there,then who are some of us to just sit tight,with ALL our given opportunities and not do anything about things around us.

Omo-Akogun taught me that truly we all have something deposited in us.
He gave me a wake up call,to follow my dreams at all costs and even if I end up shining for just a minute,at least I did something,at least I tried.

His death has brought once again to the forefront,the issues of our country Nigeria.How our thieving leaders have no care in the world for basic infrastructures.A trailer parked on the road in such a rich country in 2010,and there were no facilities to either cordon the road off or tow the vehicle away.
A very tragic accident occurring and no “999” to call,no heli-ambulance to airlift him to the best hospital around.

THAT is the Nigeria we have been contending with for too long.

Isn’t it time we DEMAND a change?

If Yaradua or Goodlucks sons were involved in an accident,would they not be given the best in medical care?
Does the average Nigerian not deserve the same?

When did we sink into a nation of people so content with nothing?

Do we want our children and generations to come to STILL sing the same song we are singing now?And the same song our parents sang?

Awon Omo Naija….e je ki a ronu jinle o….
Today it’s Da-Grin……who shall it be tomorrow?

He was a lyrical tsunami,he destroyed every other naija rapper in his wake,AND he did it his way.

Omo-Akogun,truly it is written,ko de si eni to le ye…, But yet,our human nature seeks answers from the Lord,but nothing comes forth,except a resounding silence that tells us to be still,that you are walking amongst the ones gone before us in the heavenlies.

You lived your life,you touched so many people,and for that your family and loved ones have nothing to fear.

Kabiyesi ma te si orun rere……

I raise my hand in a salute to you….

You done good Olaitan Olaonipekun

You done good…

Now go ahead and have a blast in eternity.

Till then

Your number one Fan

A

this is so touching, May his soul RIP!! He seemed to have touched everyone in one way or the other. I'm so ashamed of the fact that i didnt know him before he died.

Rip dagrin. Gone but not forgotten

It's because he was a very talented musician who had a bright future in the industry.

I am a non Yoruba but Da Grin was my number 1 naija rapper. There is something in him, in his music that set him aside from the rest. Its quite a shock he is gone. Infact i am still getting used to putting him in the past tense.

I dont know him but may he RIP since so many are touched by his death.

Never heard of him till his death, but from all accounts, he was a very talented artist.

May his soul rest in peace.

@what more can i say, u all have said it all.i think i was privileged to be at his last show at oceanview some weeks bac. he gave out his best as if he knew that was his last show on earth. he was everywhere even when we have powerful artistes on dat day on stage. he stole the show.dat last perfomance is still glued to my face.i think he knew he is not staying long dats why he did all his songs well,did duets wit almost all d bigwigs in music.and still working on some more works.i was at his album lauch at oniru beach,u cud feel his music and lyrical prowess.i think he came, he saw and he conquer.RIP.

@what more can i say, u all have  said it all.i think i was privileged to be at his last show at oceanview some weeks bac. he gave out his best as if he knew that was his last show on earth. he was everywhere even when we have powerful artistes on dat day on stage. he stole the show.dat last perfomance is still  glued to my face.i think he knew he is not  staying long dats why he did all his songs well,did duets wit almost all d bigwigs in music.and still working on some more works.i was at his album lauch at oniru beach,u cud feel his music and lyrical prowess.i think he came, he saw and he conquer.RIP.

continue to rest in peace Dapo aka DAGRIN

The C.E.O.
you came, you saw and you conquered , may your gentle soul rest in perfect peace! Sun re O!