One day E’vier and I were sitting around listening to jazz records…. we were looking for samples…… At the top of one track, a voice came on and said:
“Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s SUPERSELF!!”
E’vier quickly replied, “THAT’S ME!” – I said, “What do you mean?” – He said, “I am gonna start calling myself SUPASELF!“
Little did I know that he WAS ALREADY and WOULD CONTINUE to be JUST THAT. You see…. E’vier had the biggest heart and personality of anyone I have ever known, in fact, it must have been quite a bit of work to contain it within his slim frame. He did everything in a grand way. He didn’t even walk so much as glide forward on his feet. If you could exponentially multiply your greatest attributes, you would be larger than life — a SUPER form of SELF — or just E’vier.
People pass away and stories of grandeur come about…. but everyone who knew him knows that I don’t need to embellish to tell his story.
One time he came to visit. I was “entertaining a guest” 🙂 so he didn’t come in but spoke a few words to me through the door….. when he left, my guest said “How big is that guy?!!! He sounds like he is 7 feet tall 350 pounds!!” — A giant among men with a voice to match.
I met E’vier when we were just kids CRAZY about dancing….. He loved art PERIOD… music, dancing, singing, rhyming, reading, writing, drawing, so this was an easy match. We used to dance together on my broken down porch and in his living room…. shoot, who am I kidding, in everyone’s living room. 🙂 As proud members of Wisdom Stylerz (dubbed so by Drew a.k.a. Cheetah Speed) we were always practicing. Wisdom Stylerz is a huge dance crew composed of friends sharing in the culture. We were like a clan of Shaolin Monks, each member having a special skill…… great times. —-But that is another story.
Later our love for music brought us together as MC’s with my fellow brother Uche in the COLAB. I think this is when he gained his hunger to express himself with his thoughts and ABSOLUTELY UNFORGETTABLE BARITONE VOICE.
It’s crazy when you lose someone and examine how much of yourself…….. is really due to their contribution. He single handedly made some of the greatest impacts in my life. He changed my diet, introduced me to oils (my scent), fashion, music, locks–you name it– all while becoming a BROTHER to this only child. The first time I ever “built” with a human being was with E’vier. He awakened the conscious artist within me. I knew the power of music, but he made me realize the power of thought combined with it. E’vier was well read/versed in damn near every subject: religion, music, politics, and all with a global awareness and concern.
Confidence? He embodied swag before it was coined or even popular. Ever the Leo… from mane to roar to kingship.
An eternal optimist…. he appreciated everything so much. This journey is not all glamorous and, like a protective parent, sometimes I keep people shielded from it, but to him……. I would complain…….. and he would make me feel TERRIBLE!!! 🙂 …….. As he showed me how much I had to be thankful for in the very thing I was complaining about. He was like a turbo-boost-nitro-powered-jet-pack of positive energy. It didn’t matter what you did… you could manufacture plastic spoons for a living and he would make you feel like you were the ambassador of a large country called –YOU! (btw: nothing wrong with plastic spoons…. I use ’em)
They say there are 6 degrees of separation, but sitting around a room of grieving friends and family, we all realized there was really only 1 degree between us all…. and it was E’vier. He was comfortable in any setting from his family, to the children he taught at his job, to his suburban friends, to people that some would probably see as a little sketchy, and that was the beauty of it all. That is why he touched sooooooo many people….. literally from all walks of life.
I could go on…. I knew him the majority of my physical and the entirety of my conscious life….. in fact I WILL go on as he continues to influence my words and actions and HE WILL GO ON. I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU MAN!!!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!! You have planted so many seeds…. there will be an endless harvest. When I evolve I want to be a SUPASELF just like you. If you didn’t know it, I looked up to you while you were here and I look up to you now. As the stories pour in I realize that I may have to reconsider what I value to be SUCCESS in this life.
Cousin Kwab said we are all upset because we are selfish and want him to be here for us and I think that is true. I am angry that YOU ALL didn’t get a chance to meet him. You would of loved him.
The only solace I have is in knowing that when I get to Heaven he will be there to introduce me to EVERYONE that I need to know…. because that’s E’vier.
R.I.P. LION
Some energy is too great to be contained… whether it be in a physical shell, or on a tiny planet, in a vast universe. Always — Your Brother
What a powerful testimony about the power of one. I’m am so sorry to hear about your loss, Darien, but as you said so eloquently, his wonderful spirit lives in everyone he has ever touched.
He sounded like he was truly a wonderful spirit, far too powerful to be contained within the parameters of this life. You know, there are angles who walk among us every day, and if we’re lucky we get the chance to know them thoroughly, and learn from them so that we ourselves become better people.
Our spirits are so fragile, yet mighty — Thank you so much, my brotha, for sharing the blessed recount of your wonderful friend.
May God stay with you, his family and friends, as you progress onward with the beautiful memories of his legacy.
Darien,
You articulated H, beautifully man. I can remember meeting H like yesterday. Riding the 40 bus south from Valhalla were we trooped to school. And, H was the dude who gave me the green light and or encouragement to grow my locks. We would run into to each other in brooklyn, nyc and around the way.
H was radiant and had the best voice of any man. His walk was grand and his energy amazing. My heart is heavy. Float on Hiver.
That was beautiful Darien… He sounded like a person I’d probably gravitate towards had I been around him… and just reading everything you wrote about him… the energy, positivity, confidence… already I can feel his “vibe” in me, believe it or not. It’s got me thinking again… put me back on track with some things (or at least that I have to get back on track lol).
Thank you for sharing this Darien. It really moved me and touched my heart reading about your friend and brother, E’vier. May he rest in peace… may his light continue to shine on you and his loved ones…
God Bless you Darien… and all E’vier’s family and friends…
My Dearest Darien
Your words are beautiful and so true. I miss him so much. But when I look at you, Uche, Peter, and Tremaine and see all that you have accomplished, I know that his encouragement and inspiration was present in your lives. I met you all as teens and now you are grown men. You all make me so proud as did Hiver. I want you to keep your head up and be strong. You are in my prayers.
Beautiful. Thank you for a deeper understanding of someone I wish I’d known longer. God bless E’vier, and you.
E’vier was good brother.Always enjoyed vibing with him when crossing paths .He will be missed in this physical form but his possitive energy lives on. Thank you for sharing your memories D
Darien…that piece is absolutely beautiful. Hiver was all that and more. He touched so many lives. Rest in Peace E’vier.
Wow! Yo, you make a brother want to know him! I definitely feel your loss just in the power of your great words! I am saddened by your loss. You seemed to sum it all up in this one piece. God looked out for you when he put E’vier in your life! Your appreciation for that fact is no doubt evident. Thank him for the time you’ve had and the memories you’ll continue to have. Sounds like he’s had a lifetime worth of greatness in him.
The world seems to have been better having had his presence
Now it seems the same can be said for the
heavens.
R.I.P Hiver. Your words are beautiful. Much love to all of his friends and family.
this is sooo on point. hiver was the ray of light & sunshine to all he met. he touched me & changed my way of thinking…and for that i’m forever grateful. i am selfish in my tears because i didn’t get “enough” time with hiver. like there really is such a thing as enough time spent with him. lol. we are all a lil better from the hiver touch. although i miss him alot, i feel blessed to have met him & call him friend.
That was beautiful, so glad that he touched so many people, he’s the gift that continues to give! Keep singing his praises, that way he continues to live in each person affected by him! I wish I had known him too!!!
Darien, this is such an eloquent, profound and heartfelt testimony, thank you for sharing.
I am sorry to hear of your loss. E’vier sounded like an amazing individual.
Angels do walk among us.
May God strengthen, comfort, and bless you.
All prais due to the Master Pharoah of Hearts (Hiver Le Blanc)
Darien…. WELL DONE, WELL DONE!!!
Darien:
Give thanks for writing this beautiful piece about E’vier. I am thinking of him a lot today. I know you probably don’t remember me & that’s OK. I came to know E’vier during the time of The Colab & Supaself. Our friendship grew over time & he was always so supportive of me & photography, my pursuit of Ph.D in Caribbean Lit. He reminds me so much of my late uncle, the warmth of his spirit. I know they are together in heaven, coolin’ out. I think of both of them so often & it helps me to read your words. E’vier’s energy is eternal & resonates and I am so glad to have known him. Peace & blessings, Ena
Tears of JOY
. I appreciate your openness…your honesty, your love for him.. He is smiling. Thanks for acknowledging certain things…He would Overstand. He loved you beyond words can express, all of you….no degree of seperation.. and genuinely wanted to see you, Darien, attain your idea of success. He is watching over all of us…believe that. Enjoy and live your life to the max we only have one. Love you even more than I did yesterday… (is that possible lol)