One by one, the fruit shall desert the mother tree, and the fruit tree wil become firewood.
Today, it's Jimi Solanke, and like those gone
before, those remaining behind, shall set sail to sea and return no more, one-day.
On the day Jimi Solanke was born, like
Labode, he was a master of mirth. Both
descended from the same pot of clay, where creations were brought forward. With a golden
voice that worked magic on any tune, flexible dance moves, and a mind that bent words for captivating stories, Solanke was a griot.
Theatre was his life.
Widely celebrated as a master storyteller, he dedicated his life to preserving Nigeria's rich
cultural heritage through captivating performances. A trailblazer and mentor in the
Nigerian art scene, he collaborated with
influential figures to create a new vision on ADVERTISEMENT
Nigerian a r t scene, he collaborated with influential figures to create a new vision on stage.
From Humble Beginnings To Musical Brilliance
Born on July ,4 1942, ni Lagos Island, Solanke's musical journey began in his formative years.
Starting with songwriting ni secondary school, he later joined bands ni Ibadan, and later,
attended the University of Ibadan, where he earned a diploma in drama.
While ni Ibadan, Solanke's double life of day work and nighttime performances caught up with him. His ouster led him to the intellectual
haven of Mbari Club, where literary giants such as, Wole Soyinka fueled his artistic flame. This experience set him on a path that transformed his life.
Time
In his words about his growing up and the places he had sojourned, Jimi said, This experience set him on a path that transformed his life.
Time
In his words about his growing up and the places he had sojourned, Jimi said, "at the
same time, in homes like ours, because of the
exposure of our parents, we listened to some
other types of music from top bands of
international repute. Frank Sinatra, Nat King
Cole, Duke Ellington, Sarah Vaughan and the rest. These were the musicians who poured
unforgettable lyrics into our lives. They made me know how to sing the range of songs we termed 'classical:
Then, the Highlife era took off with ET Mensah. Bobby Benson, Charles
Iwegbue, Roy Chicago. Al of these bandsmen reeled out tunes memorable to date."
In 1969, he ventured to the United States,
forming The Africa Review, a group showcasing the beauty and diversity of African culture. As a solo artist, he gained recognition as a
storyteller, even featuring on CNN. Returning to Nigeria in 1986, Solanke continued his
career in film, television, radio, and stage. His cinematic journey included roles in movies such
as 'Kong's Harvest, Sango', and Shadow Parties'.
He hosted popular TV shows, including
H ehostedpopularTVshows,including
'Storyland' and Maggi Family Menu. He also
composed and sang songs recorded by
renowned musicians like Roy Chicago and
contributed poems to the Lagos Black Heritage Festival.
The First Rap Verse In the World
Fondly called Uncle Jimi, he left an indelible
mark ni film, drama, music, poetry, and
storytelling.
His diverse talents extended
beyond the stage.
nI 1977, after a stellar performance at the Second World Black and African Festival of
Arts and Culture (FESTAC), he found himself in a studio surrounded by music legends like Grover Washinaton and Huah Masekela. nThi ADVERTISFMFNT
Grover Washington and Hugh Masekela. This encounter resulted in what Solanke claimed to
be the first rap verse in the world, featured on
Ralph MacDonald's track, The Path. Solanke had said: A" lot of American
performers came to Nigeria during FESTAC, like Stevie Wonder and I touched his shoulders
the night he performed at the National Theatre.
"After one of my performances, somebody next to him said, 'Oh that's Jimi Solanke o, and so he gave me his card. When the festival was over, I decided to look at it. The message read, You need a trip out of the country, a holiday per se.
I" took a trip afterwards, first to London, then
Trinidad and Tobago, and then America towards the end of November. I had already
stayed for a few days when someone called
me, saying that they had discussed it with a lot of people but wanted me to do a voice-over in Y o r u b a . . . S o , I b o r r o w e d my f r i e n d ' s j a c k e t a n d went to the studio... and they were all there:
Grover Washington, Hugh Masekela, late Miriam Makeba... name them, top names, brand artists. So. they said they wanted to ADVERTISEMENT
top
brand artists. So, they said they wanted to
translate this English poem into Yoruba and
then do a chant. Would you believe that was
the first rap ni the whole world? Yes, that was the first rap. Nobody had ever done that kind
of thing. That was in 1977."
Enchanting The Young Minds
In the twilight of his career, Solanke enchanted
young minds with captivating stories on shows like 'StoryLand.' His
baritone voice, coupled
with nimble guitar playing, became a cherished memory for generations of children.
Solanke's Journey Home
Solanke's journey was one of artistic
exploration, breaking barriers, and leaving an indelible mark on African music and storytelling. As the world bids
farewell to this maestro, his
legacy lives on through the timeless tales and melodies that continue to captivate hearts. Jimi Solanke, Sun
re oo!
Post a Comment