SAMUEL Uzochukwu Emelike A.K.A. J-Gangs like every youth of his generation dreamed of becoming a successful rap artiste.


*Late Samuel Uzochukwu Emelike
Having walked the streets in search of his destiny, he found solace in Famehouse records, an outfit set up by Leo Isi-Irabor, a German-based businessman who was desirous of helping budding musicians like J-Gangs to achieve their dreams.

With his album in the production oven, heating and awaiting to be released, young J-Gang a twin born to parents of Igbo extracts, twenty eight years ago with three sisters decided on November 7, to visit his family back home in Benin City, Edo State.

That journey was a fertile journey, a journey that killed a dream and leaving on its trail, sorrow and tears.

J-Gang was murdered by a gun toting robbers who invaded their peaceful abbey street, G.R.A, Ugbor home at about 7.30pm on November 8. He was the only one shot by the robbers.

And just as he seemingly predicted in his yet to be released album, J-Gang sang “Even if I don’t see today, with all the rhymes in my book with all the tracks in my disc, my work will see tomorrow”

Narrating the story to Weekend Groove, a member of the family who witnessed the incidence said “the armed robbers who were two in number found their way into their home after overpowering the security whom they dragged along to the sitting room where we were all watching the television.

As soon as they came in, we were ordered to lie on the floor. It was the commotion inside that attracted the heavily built musician from the boys quarters where he was sleeping.

As soon as he rushed in, he was also ordered to join us,” our source disclosed.

And just before the robbers began their operation, our Uncle who owns the house arrived at the gate. When nobody answered to his call to open the gate, he came down from his car.

But he retreated and escaped when the second robber appeared with the security man.

Alarmed that they may have been found out, the robbers attempted to escape. It was at that moment that one of them robbers shot and killed J-Gangs who was lying on the floor.”

Were the police alerted, we asked?

Yes, they came within minutes, by this time the robber had made good their escape.

He was buried last weekend.Reacting to the news of his death, Famehouse Records General Manager, Ken Sele-Okogbenin said “it is sad that such should happen at a time like this. J-Gangs was a really talented songwriter, singer, rapper and producer.

We at Farmhouse records saw huge potential in him and had no doubt that he was heading for stardom, as he was a rare gem amongst his peers. He had already cut some potentially record breaking dance floor hits, and his first single was due for release in February 2012.

J-Gangs would never accept anything short of excellence; He refused to use the Nigerian local music scene as his parameters, and would work tirelessly to perfect his act to international standards. Everyone at Famehouse Records knew J-GANGS was heading for an international breakthrough, but unfortunately now, we knew this could happen.”

Famehouse Okogbenin said “will be setting up a foundation in his memory, and series of awareness programmes will be run to shine light on his life and to bring attention to the issues of crime in our society and the way forward for the Nigerian youth.

His singles ‘Rap in peace’ from his Forever album will be released in the following weeks.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/11/felled-by-robbers-bullet-artiste-dies-on-eve-of-album-release/