I found this ‘obituray’ of my father in a back issue of the Newsday (T&T) today. It’s funny how, even after a few years, reading this still makes my throat tighten a bit, and I ache for my daddy.
I guess it’s because another anniversary is coming up, but I miss him. Saddest part is I’ve missed him my whole life, even though he’s only been dead for four years.
Tuesday, March 20 2007
The Network Community Organisation and the Rapso Movement have extended condolences to the family and friends of Mansa Musa, who passed away recently after a brief illness.
Musa was considered a legend within the arena of the oral tradition in the African diaspora. For many years his distinctive style of drumming accompanied some of Trinidad and Tobago’s most famous artistes. He played on three singles and one album with Lancelot Kebu Layne and one album with Andre Tanker which included the hit “Back Home.”
Musa captivated the musical scene with the production of an album at the then KH Studios in Sea Lots. The album Hold On To The Faith a featured eight tracks written and composed by Musa and RJ Lord.
The album was a definative statement which helped to build the solid foundation on which the Rapso artform stands today. Musa displayed a comprehensive knowledge of Africa in the Caribbean world of drum and percussion, the science of rhythm and the synthesis of voice and drum.
He was also a community activist who made an extensive contribution to the Black Power and Independence Movement of the 1970s. He was a founding father and inspiration to the birth and development of the “Village Drums of Freedom” in St James. The group recently dedicated its annual community festival in tribute to Musa.
The Network Orgnisation and the Rapso Movement publicly salute the work of the legendary Mansa Musa and mourn his passing with word song power in the true spirit of warriorhood.
Rapso mourns passing of Mansa Musa
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