Whats On: Remembering Jayzik Azikiw, a renowned songwriter

This Saturday January 31st, 2009, will mark one year since Jayzik Azikiwe, a renowned poet and singer departed for eternity. Born in London on the 12th May 1958 by a British mother and a Nigerian father, Jazy as fondly called is among few poets and singers who had made tremendous impact in their work before she died. Jayzik was a lifetime poet and was known as the ‘phenomenal woman’, attributed from one of Maya Angelou’s poetic expressions.

She lived at full speed, in full colour, full of energy and always brought joy into many people’s lives. She sponsored a basic School in her locality (Kololi area) with many pupils, providing uniforms and fees for some of the pupils and even paid some teachers. Jayzik made a point of knowing people and even those who didn’t have the chance to meet her personally, most likely had heard her voice on the radio, singing the song that she wrote and performed, and that became her trademark, ‘Everyone Loves The Gambia’.

 In her professional career, Jayzik was a performance poet, songster and songwriter.  According to sources, on stage, the female star called herself ‘The Simple Poet’. Jayzik’s artistry speaks for itself.  She was a prolific poet.  Not only the dub poems she recorded, ‘Problem Child’, ‘Burn Down the Teachings’, ‘Snowman in Winter’, ‘No Hello’, but also the constant flow of rhyme and wisdom that was her everyday life.  

She loved language and had, before she died, been working on translating songs in the Fula, Mandinka, Wollof, Serehule, Jola, Manjako, Serer, Aku languages. She was always learning and weaving into inspirational and educational poetry.  She loved touring and performed in many countries. Particular highlights included appearances at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland and the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival in San Francisco, Geel in Belgium, Summer Jam in Germany, Reggae on the River of California. USA. Jayzik Azikiwe, the UK’s simple poet was featured in a Levi Roots soundtrack ‘Imagination’ which was nominated for MOBO for the Reggae Performer.

She wasn’t interested in status and could sit with simple people as easily as she could with the big stars with whom she performed.  After obtaining her information from the daughter Joleene, the deputy high commissioner said ‘we have great respect for our leaders and being a daughter of our first President, we have to give her the respect. Jayzik died in The Gambia on January 31st 2008 and she was survived by her eldest daughter Joleene (30), son (26) and her twins – male and female (7), her mother, younger sister, Mr. and Mrs. Luigi Maio of Luigi’s Complex and Restaurant, Madam Marina of Baobab Real Estate Ltd. Mrs. Rita Cole and family, The Department of State for Tourism and Culture, National Council for Arts and Culture and The Gambia Tourism Authority. May her soul rest in perfect peace and harmony. She was buried on Saturday 9th February 2008 in Banjul, The Gambia.

Speaking to What's On, Rita Cole, a mother to the Jazy, said they will be giving  charity in honour of the deceased. She described her daughter (Jazy) as a phenomenal singer who loved working with different people. "She was supporting a local school in the Kololi area before she died. She had performed at different places and due to her singing and poetry work she became friend  to many," she said. Rita further emphasised that friends and associates are welcomed to the one-year anniversary at their compound in Kololi. She further informed What's On that many people including diplomats are expected to grace the occasion.