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Legendary Sierra Leonean Singer and Philanthropist, Abou Whyte has died of the novel Coronavirus disease in the United states.
Born in the 90s, Whyte is reffered to as one of Sierra Leone’s greatest cultural singers whose name is still a force to reckon woth among traditional music lovers in the country.
Although he was a musician, Abou Whyte came to limelight in the early 60s when he joined the Bolton Wanderers FC of Freetown as a goalkeeper. He was also a painter and a sculptor.
He was a song writer, composer, and percussionist ‘Merry-Go Jazz’ music band before He later joined ‘Okes-Muyei’ and then ‘Muyei Power’. In the early seventies, Muyei Power was one of Sierra Leone’s best reserved music groups and its top dance band. Later it achieved global following in Europe, America and other continents.
‘Good Morning Sierra Leone Good Afternoon Freetown’, one of his novel songs is still a melodious and refreshing tune in the mouth of Sierra Leonean music lovers. His selling point was his vocal ability and his professional forms of call and respond in singing, which was emotional and augmented by harmonies.
Whyte hailed from the Fourah Bay and Foulah Town communities and up to his death on April 12th 2020, was resident in the State of New Jersey, United States. He was aged 76.
Speaking to Sierraloaded, Alhaji Leadi Cole who is a close friend of the whyte, described the legendary singer as a music hero at home and abroad who contributed in promoting not only music but also humanity through acts of philanthropy.
“Abou Whyte was a national hero, who gave meaning to meaningless lives at both nationally and internationally. Allah the creator bestowed such wonderful talents on just one person. For these and many other reasons, I will forever hate you Coronavirus even if I will become one of your victims sooner or later,” Cole said.
He added, “Even though Abou Whyte passed away in the USA, we in Foulah Town, Freetown, will do our best to keep his memories alive until we can give him a befitting memorial service. Let those in authority realize that the late Mr. Abou Whyte was not just a talented musician, but he did so much for Sierra Leone during his life time.”
