Tribute to Dagrin: Eclipse of a Dream by Olawale Olaleye

Shiny, sparkly and splendidly bright, the demise, last week of Olayitan Olanipekun Oladapo, aka Dagrin- one of Nigeria ’s rave-making rap artistes is one of a sad end, writes Olawale Olaleye

Like sunset, Olayitan Olanipekun Oladapo, mostly called Dagrin was with us at dawn. He shone so brightly that the time he spent on life’s stage evoked so much excitements.  What with the hope of a propitious future? But he was not to stay longer. And like the sunset that dies with the rising of the moon, Dagrin left in one night, abruptly. His is a classic case of “gone too soon.” Like the loss of sunlight on a cloudy afternoon, he died quite early. Born to amuse, inspire and delight, the death of Dagrin is akin to a comet that blazed across the evening sky and left hurriedly (Apologies to Michael Jackson). I had followed with rare interest, the Dagrin story since the news of his accident started swirling around last week.

Of course, I could not have been in the league of those doing this for gossip reasons. I am too busy to indulge in such. But as a younger brother, I had watched Dagrin grow up like a rising star. We had lived together in the same area in Meiran area of Alagbado. His father had a house on Kola Oretuga street, while my parents house is in Iyana Ekoro.

Dagrin had developed this rare knack for rapping. He had the flair and his aptitude was right. His rhymes were mesmerising even as a little boy. And with an uncommon energy indicative of a progressively industrious mind, Dagrin would go from street to street rapping, albeit not for the financial incentive that would follow later; because he wanted to show us all that he had a talent that had been deposited inside of him.

He would rap, sing and dance and we would watch, clap and laugh in utter fulfilment and story part with some paltry amount. While Dagrin was happy doing this because the talent was evident; we were happy watching and encouraging him because in our local enclave, a star had risen. Like a star that he was, I saw Dagrin develop his talent with auspicious tendencies and I was certain that with the pace he was moving, the sky would be his limit.

But Dagrin, like a castle built upon a sandy beach, left too early. It was Femi Davies who had sent me an IM on my Black Berry. The message was an unconfirmed report hinting of Dagrin’s death. I declined to believe. I called round to ascertain the truth. Femi Adepoju could not confirm too but promised to follow-up and get back. Within minutes, Raheem Ajayi had followed up with a text praying the news was a mere hoax and quickly, I said amen to that.

But soon afterwards, Femi Davies and Femi Adepoju confirmed it and I have since been shattered. My younger brother in South America, Ayobami Olaleye also called to confirm the sad story but it was already in the news. I called my dad to double check and he did confirm it.

He even claimed to have sent people to their house to commiserate with the parents and hoped to go in person the following day. Dagrin was reportedly returning home from an outing penultimate Wednesday when he rammed into a stationed truck around Alakara area of Mushin. He was immediately rescued by policemen on duty who rushed him to a nearby hospital. Although, he was said to have been operated upon that same night at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) after being turned down at the Tai Solarin Hospital, also in Mushin. He had since remained unconscious.

At some point, he was said to have been improving and it was all over the airwaves that his rumoured death was not correct. But Dagrin eventually died last Thursday, leaving friends, fans and relatives in terrible shock. I refuse to imagine how painful it would be even for his parents who still saw him shortly before his demise.

Information reaching me says he had been home earlier to give a power generating set to his dad. He was a breadwinner of sorts even as a young boy in his early 20s. But that was the last they all saw of him. Dagrin, they would never see again. I am personally bereaved and it still leaves me with as much pain and anguish that such a promising talent would be gone so early and for good. Not sure I am qualified to write a tribute on a brother, quite younger than me. But I feel this is the only way I can suppress the trauma that his demise has wreaked on me. Adieu, my good aburo, Dagrin.

Source: www.thisdayonline.com