71 year old Kehinde Lijadu of the “Lijadu sisters” who is known for their activism for hope and justice with their music during the 70’s, was confirmed dead on November 9 at the apartment she shared with her sister in Harlem, following a long battle with metastatic breast cancer.
Kehinde is reportedly survived by her twin, Taiwo, another sister, Irene Idowu Gbenrotwo; a brother, Ayodele Lijadu; and two children, Enitan Izevbekhan and Adekunle Adelekan.
Her twin sister has been spotted rocking matching outfit with her as she bid her final goodbye, during the burial on Saturday, December 21, in New York, the United States.
Her being seen dressed in matching outfit with the deceased did not come to many as a shock considering they both lived and worked inseparably throughout their lives, performing in matching outfits and sang nearly every line of every song together, in close harmony or in unison
During the burial which was a private affair, took place at Harmony Funeral Home, 2222 Clarendon Road, Brooklyn, NY 11223, Taiwo sent a strong message to the world that, not even death could break the bond they shared, as Taiwo dressed Kehinde in a matching purple lace outfit, braid wigs and crown as hers.
It may be recalled that Kehinde and Taiwo Lijadu were born on October 22, 1948, in Jos, Nigeria. They moved with their family first to Ibadan and later to Lagos.
The Lijadu twins flourished in a Nigerian pop scene dominated by men. On the five albums they made, they sang — in English, Yoruba and Ibo — about corruption, poverty, urban violence and perseverance alongside songs about love and dancing. As they gained popularity in Nigeria, they were outspoken about equality for women.
The duo had a string of hits in Nigeria in the 1970s and later found an international audience.
May the soul of the departed rest in peace
