In 2002, when I joined the Tope Alabi band as a back up singer. Every time we rehearsed for a performance, Aunty Tope would use all the Angels in heaven to beg me “Bose o de try lati maa jo”, she would beg me to dance.
It is one thing to be a terrible dancer, it is another thing not to move at all. I never moved. Even Lilian Nneji could not move me in those days. It was terrible!
Aunty would point at one other lady Funmi, who was very brief in stature and small thing en, she don already reach the ground “just take a look at Funmi… please try to dance” I would nod and say “OK ma” knowing that, e no too possible 🥴🥴🥴
A couple of times, after collecting one hard stare, I would try to move my body, but it was mission impossible, my body was unmovable, coupled with the ug.ly tent we wore as uniforms. The tent fit go fall me down.
I was her duet, everytime she opened her mouth in Soprano, I opened mine in Tenor, every other back up would throw body away in dansia, only me would remain standing like a stick.
One day, Uncle Soji called me…
“Bose, is it that you can’t dance?”
“I cannot sir.”
“Don’t say that, everybody can dance. Even Choice cannot really dance but you will never know.”
“OK sir”
“Dancing is part of our performance and it looks odd when you just stand like that” (He explained in simple unproblematic Yoruba)
“Alopogy sir” 😑
After that sermon, I told myself “You can do it Bose Kekere”
And I did it. The mind is a powerful tool guys 🤲
That night at CAC Agbala Itura Ibadan, as I stood beside Aunty Tope, I waited to unleash the dancing spirit that just landed on me… daz how Aunty Tope opened mouth and sang “Baba mimo mimo mo wa sope o…”
I belted some Tenor, the Church scattered, drummers and Bassists lost their home trainings, every back up was gyrating mardly, Aunty Tope was doing her – erm – dance…
Brethren? ☻️
Say “yes” ✌️
Daz how I also throway body in gyration 😑 ha, I danced! 💃💃💃💃
I was so happy with myself, glad that my allowance go surplus the next morning. I was thanking the Holy spirit for the blessing of movement on the drive home when I suddenly heard my name.
“Bọ́sẹ̀, irú ijó tí o Jó leni yẹn, mo fi Ọlọ́run bẹ̀ ẹ́, Jọ̀ọ́ má jó irú ẹ̀ mọ́”
Haaaa! Oh God of Mephiboseth!
In other words, that dance wey I dance during that performance, make I no try am again lailai.
I solemnly nodded. She was right. Cos the dance stress me ☻️🤧 definitely not from the Holy Spirit 🤦♀️
#OkoIyaWon
#TheAdventuresOfLabos
