If you have read 'Drummer Boy' by Cyprian Ekwensi, you may not know that the writer based the character of Akin, the blind drummer on a real life blind drummer named 'Kokoro'.

Benjamin ‘Kokoro’ Aderounmu was a widely known blind minstrel from Lagos, Nigeria. He was born into a polygamous royal family in Owo, Ondo State, and became blind when he was aged ten. A jealous step mother was said to have been responsible for his condition.

While his blindness halted his formal education, he refused to be beaten by life’s adversity and he developed his unique art of singing to the accompaniment of tambourine to support himself.

He developed a unique style of singing accompanied first by a drum, later by a tambourine. He moved to Lagos in 1947, where he became exposed to major local musicians such as Ayinde Bakare, Bobby Benson and Victor Olaiya.

In the 1960s and 1970s he featured regularly on Federal and local radio stations, and was widely respected for the depth and wisdom of his lyrics. An early pioneer of Jùjú music, he sang in Yoruba about love, money, conflicts and urban decadence. He had wide influence on other musicians.

Cyprian Ekwensi wrote a fictionalized version of his life in his novel for adolescents, The Drummer Boy.

He performed in many cities in Nigeria and overseas, but was exploited by people who took advantage of his blindness. Often he was homeless, playing on the streets to make ends meet. Kokoro performed for close to 60 years but never released an album in his lifetime. An early attempt reportedly failed due to the foot-dragging of the record companies.

Benjamin Aderounmu, better known as ‘Kokoro’, the unmistakable and widely- known tambourine-playing minstrel, died in a Lagos hospital on Sunday, January 25, 2009 a month to his 84th birthday.

It is said that adversity will either make a man, or break him, depending on how he responds to it. Kokoro’s life is clear proof that disability is not synonymous with inability.While he was never rich in monetary and material terms, Pa Benjamin Aderounmu triumphed over life’s challenges, as evidenced by the celebration of his life, even in death, by many from various walks of life.

Not many of his performances were ever recorded, but one has managed to survive. This performance titled 'Ominira' was recorded at the NBC Lagos for the Nigeria Independence celebrations in 1960.

Click to listen: https://soundcloud.com/lekan-babalola/ominira-nigeria-1960-by-kokoro?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=facebook

Image credit: NNP

http://www.lailasblog.com/2016/11/meet-kokoro-real-life-drummer-boy-pic.html

I used to see him every single weekday in the late '70s and 1980s. He used to busk on Igbosere Road and Broad Street on Lagos Island. I had Ekwensi's book, but it was not until the 1990s that I discovered that the book was loosely based on Kokoro.

What amazed me the most about him was that he knew the streets so well that he could walk around unaccompanied.

Documentary about Kokoro.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6mVaEz0SgA

King Sunny Ade introduces Kokoro at an event at the Island Club.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCc5C7AfAJ4

Nice percussion too

I lost my appetite for books , novels most esp after I had a smartphone.

Was a cool story anyway.

Wow. So he's actually not a cartoon character.

Really

naptu2:
I used to see him every single weekday in the late '70s and 1980s. He used to busk on Igbosere Road and Broad Street on Lagos Island. I had Ekwensi's book, but it was not until the 1990s that I discovered that the book was loosely based on Kokoro.

What amazed me the most about him was that he knew the streets so well that he could walk around unaccompanied.

Baba, you try o! Twale!!!

naptu2:
I used to see him every single weekday in the late '70s and 1980s. He used to busk on Igbosere Road and Broad Street on Lagos Island. I had Ekwensi's book, but it was not until the 1990s that I discovered that the book was loosely based on Kokoro.

What amazed me the most about him was that he knew the streets so well that he could walk around unaccompanied.

baba o. Hope say you don marry now sir?

K

good

I read that Book too

LEGEND

My dad will always refer to him when talkin about good singers. He ll say. "O korin ju kokoro".

reading the post now.comment larer

hmmm

That is real meaning of happiness. Though he is blind but you can read happiness on his face. Unlike our politicians who pack all our money but still not happy.

hmmmm nice

naptu2:
I used to see him every single weekday in the late '70s and 1980s. He used to busk on Igbosere Road and Broad Street on Lagos Island. I had Ekwensi's book, but it was not until the 1990s that I discovered that the book was loosely based on Kokoro.

What amazed me the most about him was that he knew the streets so well that he could walk around unaccompanied.

uncle u don old ooo

Who is he?

Nice

naptu2:
I used to see him every single weekday in the late '70s and 1980s. He used to busk on Igbosere Road and Broad Street on Lagos Island. I had Ekwensi's book, but it was not until the 1990s that I discovered that the book was loosely based on Kokoro.

What amazed me the most about him was that he knew the streets so well that he could walk around unaccompanied.

Grandpa, I hail oo..

Small time now all deze undergraduates go dey folo old men yarn anyhow here.

wow..read the book when i was small...now i know were osupa saheed drummer got the name 'kokoro" taofiqi from lolz

Hmmm

naptu2:
I used to see him every single weekday in the late '70s and 1980s. He used to busk on Igbosere Road and Broad Street on Lagos Island. I had Ekwensi's book, but it was not until the 1990s that I discovered that the book was loosely based on Kokoro.

What amazed me the most about him was that he knew the streets so well that he could walk around unaccompanied.

Grand-Pa!



Sir, there's a book I'm also looking for, i can't remember the title of the book or Author (most have been Cyprian Ekwensi or Elechi Amadi).

I remember, the story was about a boy who met a man, a Northerner in the train. This man goes on to tell the boy or amaze the boy with stories of his adventures. I think the train was traveling from Lagos - Kano.


I would be glad if you can help me recall the title of the novel, i won't call it a proper novel, it's more like a story book. Just a few pages long.

prettythicksme:
Who is he?

Akin, The Drummer Boy?

How old are you?

Go home to momma.