KILANBAKA!

Waaaay back before I got into the Uni, I used to work with this couple; and a certain very handsome, very tall, very fair in complexion dude used to come around a lot... I think at some point, we became friends. His name was Kayode! Yes, was! Long story, but I'll shorten it!

I got into Uni the following year and to my surprise Kayode was a student there... Somehow, we never talked to the point where he'd tell me he was a student of OOU! Anyways, familiar face in an environment that still seemed very unfamiliar to me was very welcome; although that friendship did not exactly become stronger... the gap between us did not allow it -  I was a fresher and well... he was not a fresher, he was actually one of the big boys in school, drove a car, had a lot of money to throw around, et cetera!

Later, I started to hear a lot of rumours about how Kayode's ways weren't "pure"... well, that's how we used to say it then... "him way no pure at all!". Some thought he was into internet fraud, others thought he was a gigolo, some even thought he was into voodoo! You see, there were a lot of boys back then that we'd heard plenty stories about how they had sacrificed one thing or the other just so they could be one of the rich and famous in school! Boys (and girls) that wanted to put the cart before the horse!

Anyways, Kayode and I, at that time, never saw anymore; so there was no way I could find out what was going on with him.

Then one day, I was in my room, and my friend Yano comes in and says, "Hey babes, remember that your Kayode friend? He died overnight... They'd gone to a club in Ijebu-Ode, they were all drunk, Kayode drove, they were involved in an accident and Kayode was the only one that COULD not survive! They said if he hadn't been a heavy smoker and drinker, maybe his organs wouldn't have put up so little fight..."

All I could say was "But kini Kayode n ba ka!". Unfortunately, whatever it is he was ba ka-ing, it was too late! Too late to say goodbye, too late to ask if the rumours were true, too late for anything! All that handsomeness gone too soon cos he didn't understand that for every thing there is a season!

Years later, my friend T-Beiz does this song (KILANBAKA), and I think of all the people that wanna run ahead of time and be "big" NOW! All the folks that only think about shining NOW! I think of the people that have thrown patience and long-suffering away, and have chosen haste, the present, the temporary glitter over a permanent one! I think of Kayode - tall, handsome, fair Kayode with the great smile and beautiful teeth... coulda been somebody's husband, father, somebody's shoulder to lean on!

Ki la n ba ka! It's a Yoruba saying that means "What exactly are you all over the place about?" Sometimes, people are looking for stuff that is not lost! Sometimes people forget that waiting is the answer. Waiting for your time, and preparing yourself for when that thing arrives. Many want things that they cannot currently handle, and then they meet all sorts of unfortunate things at the end!

As I listened to this song again, my heart bled for Kayode and tears filled my eyes...

My Labour Law lecturer used to recite one Yoruba adage to us back then, he'd say "A kii saaju eleede peede!" It sorta means that one shouldn't presume to know better than the owner/creator (of something). God knows what's best for you, and when it's best for you; and He cannot give you more than you can handle! Please let us not try to become what we are not ready to become, and when we are not ready to become it! B'ori ba pe ni'le, a di're, all na time!

Seems like I've started rambling! This is the Kilanbaka song; performed by my friend T-Beiz, produced by the wonderful gentleman that was also the producer of my gospel medley and DWW song - Ski. Also available for download on notjustok. Enjoy!