By Reno Omokri
When rivalry gets too intense in the music industry, and especially when it is bipolar, it can lead to mutually assured destruction. Bob Marley was shot and barely survived. He only escaped death because Don Taylor, his manager, took at least four bullets that were meant to end Bob Marley’s life, leaving Mr. Marley with survivable gunshots to his chest and arm. Then, his rival, Peter Tosh, was shot and did not survive.
What many people do not know is that the singer, Prince, once attempted to kill Michael Jackson in a fit of rage after Michael Jackson outperformed him at a James Brown concert in 1983. True story. Please fact-check me. There were no arrests because music insiders intervened, hushed it up, and Michael Jackson and his mother, Katherine, did not pursue the matter.
Tupac was shot by, as at yet, unknown persons, though strong suspicion lingers, and a year later, his arch-rival was also shot and killed.
We do not have to wait to repeat history and then falsely accuse history of repeating itself. History is inanimate. It does not have a will. It is men who repeat it.
Elders in Yorubaland should step in and resolve this present beef, which is obviously not a marketing gimmick, or bring about a détente like the late Bashorun MKO Abiola did. Aare Abiola stepped in and brought peace between first Sikiru Ayinde Balogun, AKA Barrister or Alhaji Agba, and Moshood Olabisi Ajala (Ajala Travel), and later again between Barrister and Kolawole Ilori, AKA General Ayinla Kollington.
It might look like child’s play or the usual gbas gbos. However, from experience, when the deadly mix of big money, big ego, substances, and beautiful women are involved in a real or imagined music turf war, it could lead to big trouble. It could result in disaster.
Perhaps Chief Sunday Adegeye, AKA King Sunny Ade, Wasiu Ayinde, AKA KWAM I, or K1 De Ultimate, could step in and be the adults in the room.
Failing that, Femi Otedola and Tony Elumelu may want to step in. Let us officiate at a peace meeting, not at a funeral. God forbid!
Peoplesmind