His name is Ekundayo Oluwaseun Salahudeen. He plays music for money. The short man did not pity his struggling mother—a local food seller in Ife. He chose to be a disc jockey and abandoned the real business—‘music.’
When his mates opted for medicine, engineering, law, journalism, and technology, he decided to play songs in clubs, parties, and carnivals. When he picked DJ as a career path after graduation, I believed his father would have called a family meeting and cried unto his kinsmen to warn Ekundayo not to disgrace him.
Who, as a youth, played songs for money in the early 2000s? A lazy, timid, and unserious fellow who wants to suffer in old age. I assumed such a statement must have crossed the minds of plenty who pitied him in silence then.
To further his situation, he departed from Lagos—a metropolitan hub where he harbored aspirations of significant success—and relocated to Osun, a state characterized by civil service, possessing just one radio station, two state-operated terrestrial television channels, a limited number of clubs, and exclusive social gatherings.
Rather than running to urban cities like Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Calabar, among others, he stayed in Osun. Ekundayo saw the future, not as a prophet or seer but as a man of vision who understands the path that leads to greatness is filled with thorns. He did not allow transitory advantages to prevent his legs from reaching greatness.
Osun residents who entered youthhood in the early 2000s cannot write their stories of exposure to music without mentioning Ekundayo. Then, he was not the only disc jockey in the state, but his spirit of determination, resiliency, and hard work made him stand out. I watched him on TV as a disc jockey and presenter before I ever had a chance to step into a studio.
I have never had a face-to-face conversation with him, but I have met him twice. The first time was when I attended a government function in Osogbo, and the second time was at a function in Ilesa, where I jokingly said he is not taller than the mirror of his car. He laughed and returned to his DJ cubicle.
As he commissions BASS 99.3 FM, I remember his struggles, challenges, and privileges. I remember his losses and victories. From Palito Radio Boy to DJ to OSBC to music producer to Rave FM to now BASS 99.3 FM. The ‘palito’ radio boy of yesterday has hosted the entire Osun State Government at the commissioning of his own radio station, BASS 99.3 FM.
I am happy for DJ Bassman. This feat is worth celebrating. It is a story of grace, hard work, grit, and patience. The idea of building a new radio station, which consumed and ruined others, including their empires, has now become a reality for the short and small man.
The short boy and son of a local food seller who grew up trekking Ife slums with a Hausa radio now owns a radio station where entertainment meets humanity.
I like to tell stories. A journalist is known for his or her ability to do two things—asking questions and telling stories. I just told a story of persistence, hard work and privileges.
When researchers dig out tales of children of the unknown who hustled in life to fill up a vacuum, I hope they find the story of Ekundayo Oluwaseun Salahudeen, better known as DJ BASSMAN, worthy.
May entertainment continues to meet humanity at BASS 99.3 FM. The newly built radio station will grow and become a cynosure of all eyes.
I say hurray.
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