Sierra Leone: Tribute to a music icon – Abou Whyte
By Aroun Rashid Deen, New York City – The remains of a Sierra Leonean music and entertainment maestro, Abou Whyte, who passed away on Sunday, April 12, in the United States, have been buried at the Oaklawn Memorial Park Cemetery in South Brunswick, NJ, after a fitting funeral ceremony organized by Da’awatu Islamia, the Muslim Jamaat in the city of Somerset to which he belonged. Thousands of mourners from around the world listened to the funeral event conducted online via Mixlr radio. Mourners also called to express their condolences.
Limited family members and friends attended the funeral on Tuesday, April 14, due to COVID-19 assembly limitations.
In his eulogy, Imam Alhaji Sheikh Ibrahim Conteh said the passing of Abou Whyte “was another stark reminder that death is inevitable for every human being.”
Mr. Whyte’s unexpected death came as shocking news to many who knew him including his fans and admirers, globally.
The veteran musical icon, entertainer and artist, hailed from Fourah Bay and Foula Tong, in Freetown. He died in New Jersey where he resided for decades. He was 76.
The septuagenarian was highly admired and respected by many across all walks of life and all ages.
His production manager and business partner, New Jersey businessman, Busairi Savage described Abou Whyte as the most courageous, disciplined and humbled person he had ever known. “He was also a very reliable person,” he said.
Abou Whyte, aka Bra Abou, stepped into the limelight in the early 60s when he joined the popular Bolton Wanderers FC of Freetown as a goalkeeper, and later, a left-out striker under British military trainer, turned coach, Captain Dick Fairweather. His footballing carrier was short-lived when he switched over to music, first with Merry-Go Jazz, then Okes-Muyei and then Muyei Power dance bands, performing the roles of songwriter, composer, singer, drummer, and percussionist. His music signature tune, ‘Good Morning Sierra Leone Good Afternoon Freetown,’ still soothes hearts and elevates memories.
Abou Whyte was a man of many talents. He was a painting artist and sculptor. He was the chief designer and builder of the then Vimto Lantern in Central Freetown, leading Vimto to win many awards at the Annual end-of-Ramadan Lantern Parade.
Abou Whyte was also a culture-minded man. He participated and promoted many cultural activities in and out of Sierra Leone.
Alhaji Sallieu Wagon Kamara, Imam of New York’s Jamiatul Islamia Mosque who was a childhood friend and with whom he played football/soccer remembered a friend who lived a fulfilled life as a young man. “Abou would go all out to keep us, his friends, together. He would put everyone’s interest first.”
Another childhood friend and cousin, Alhaji Ahmad Shamsu Deen-Cole of New Jersey described him as a critical thinker, master craftsman, and a courageous man with many talents.
His music colleagues nicknamed him Billy Whyte after Massachusetts country music star, Billy Whyte, whose 1973 album, Cold Sunshine, was a hit.
This writer still recalls his first face to face encounter with the late man. Their meeting was greeted with his usual embrace and broad and cool, welcoming smile, a smile that defined his whole life.
Abou Whyte was an exceptional gentleman, a doyen to all in every organization or community of people to which he belonged.
Veteran broadcast journalist, Cyril Jixon Smith of SLBS/SLBC who also lived in the same Foula Tong vicinity as Abou Whyte, said in this writer’s Facebook posting of the death of Abou Whyte: “Believe it or not, only this morning (Sunday, April 12) my thoughts went to some members of the Muyei Power band…Dr. Chessie, Mado, and Abu Whyte. I kept asking, where is Abu Whyte? Sadly, I just saw the answer in your comprehensive piece. Remember him quite well…Always with a cool, composed smile…” A composed smile that will be missed forever.
If ever there is any such thing in the afterworld, one would imagine the kind of warmth embrace at the Gate of Heaven that would welcome him by so many who had proceeded him, including his daughter, Humu Whyte Savage, and younger brother, Abdul Fatta (Biggy Joe) Rahman, who passed away not too long ago.
Community organizer, Alhaji Alieru Bakarr, also of New Jersey, who was master of ceremony of the funeral, described his death as a blow to the Sierra Leone community in New Jersey in particular.
He’s survived by his wife, Salamatu Boi Whyte, six children, and a sister, Madina Rahman Taylor, and several families and friends at home and abroad. May his soul rest in peace.
