Hamed Bakayoko, died on Wednesday, March 10, at the age of 56 years. Popular prime minister with several lives and hats: activist, press officer, businessman, but also patron of many artists. A’Salfo from Magic System speaks the day after his death.
RFI: As of last night, you responded to your Twitter account to the news of Hamed Bakayoko’s death. You say that he was an icon for an entire generation, and for you that he was the godfather …
Yes definitely. When I say the icon for an entire generation, Hamed Bakayoko was nevertheless a reference and the symbol of all those who go behind, to become someone. And I think today he owes it to him.
He gave hope to a youth who took him to a mirror. Hamback, who left Adjamé, left a poor neighborhood. He knew how to fight in his life to get to where he is today.
He recognized himself in all these young people looking for themselves, as they say, in Abidjan. And for us, the men of culture, it was said that it was the Minister of Culture twice. Because he was by our side anyway, at all times …
I still remember it when I threw le Femua in Abidjan he was the first political authority to believe in this project. From the first editions of Femua he was by my side. And since that day he has not left us until today.
If Femua has become what it is today, it is because there was someone like Hamed Bakayoko who always believed in the cultural and who was by our side! Without counting his presence in our moments of pain, in our moments of joy.
►Read also: Portrait – Hamed Bakayoko, the disappearance of a charismatic pillar of Ivorian politics
Femua is the Urban Music Festival that you founded. Hamed Bakayoko was a defender of African cultures, but of all styles and generations, not true?
Well yes … You are going from Abidjan to Kinshasa, everyone is unanimous, today everyone from culture pays tribute to this great man. He is a patron saint. He did not help expecting anything in return. He was there because he enjoyed the pleasure of doing it and he understood everyone’s difficulties.
Today, when you talk about Hamed Bakayoko, whether it is in Ouagadougou, whether it is in Bamako, it was the politician who was very popular who was known outside the Ivorian borders.
Today, the cultural world is losing someone. And I think we need to get together outside the political program or the government program that will be set up for his funeral. We – the men of culture – must come together and pay him the tribute he deserves, the tribute he deserves.
And is there a memory that you keep about the man he was that you want to share with us??
Yes, I remember him. I’ve already told you about Femua … He was present in all editions of Femua. And one of those nights I got one of his phone calls where he told me he wanted to listen zouglou, that he will see a Zouglou group.
That day I said to him, “Listen … there is Yabongo playing in Yopougon ”. And that night he and I went to Yopougon! I remember it, and I think the artist should remember it too: that day the Prime Minister took over the next production of his album. And even the room where the concert housed, he also helped the owner of the room renovate the entire room! Everyone who was there got something from him before he left. That night remained unforgettable in everyone’s mind and until today.
When we talk about him, it’s like he’s still alive. Because when we remember all the good times spent together … Ah! I think this gentleman should not leave now!
The icon of a generation has gone to bed forever. A baobab tree fell tonight. Ivory Coast is losing a worthy son. May your soul rest in peace, FATHER. pic.twitter.com/L11thsvDP9
– A’Salfo Magic System ?? (@asalfomagic) March 10, 2021
.
