Nigerian Afrobeats sensation, Asake has paid a passionate tribute to the two women who died in a stampede outside the O2 Academy Arena in Brixton, London during his concert last December.
Asake, who marked his return to the UK stage for the first time since the unfortunate incident, honoured the lives of Rebecca Ikumelo and Gaby Hutchinson in a three-minute tribute video on Sunday.
The victims, Rebecca, aged 33, and security guard, Gaby, aged 23, met their untimely demise during the crowd commotion that marred Asake’s inaugural UK show on December 15, 2022.
The heartfelt tribute, which was performed by Nigerian-British poet, Aina More, paid homage to Rebecca and Gaby and ended with a plea to the public for any information related to the incident to be shared with the authorities.
More’s powerful verses, which were accompanied by soft piano melodies, resonated with emotion as they interwove with news segments chronicling the tragic event and captured the somber mood of the moment.
“Some came out that night and ain’t returned, we need to hold this moment,” the poem reflected on the tragedy, with the verses affirming, “Up at 02:30 thinking Gaby Hutchinson could be me,” a sentiment shared by many in the audience.
“Rest well and be free, rest in peace Rebecca, our sister,” More’s heartfelt words rang out.
During the tribute performance, dancers adorned in white emerged onstage, carrying bouquets of white flowers with the crowd responding with heartfelt cheers when the names of the victims were mentioned, as well as at the culmination of the tribute.