The Man, The Myth, The Legend…

Omope Adelana Young

April 26, 1975 ~ October 13, 2026

All superheroes have an origin story and Omope Adelana Young is no different. Omope, affectionately called “Ade” by family and friends was born on April 26, 1975 in Cleveland, OH just 7 days after his mother’s birthday. The high was 52°F, low of 29°F with clear/cool spring conditions. The Cleveland Indians played a split doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles on the road at Memorial Stadium. Cleveland City Council, by a unanimous vote, passed legislation against redlining. Cleveland was also in the grips of a violent Mafia turf war between James Licavoli and infamous Irish mobster Danny Greene and car bombings were making weekly headlines across the city. It was against this backdrop that Ade came into the world hand first, ready to taste the world, hitting his mother on the thigh letting her know that he was ready to finally come out. Legend has it that when his hand emerged from his mother it was in the shape of a fist and he was the first newborn to come out of the womb giving the Black power salute!

Ade was the second child of four children and the first son for his parents Yetunde (Kat) and Ibiyinka (EB). He was Najaa, his big sister’s, first playmate and they were each other’s confidants. They loved playing together and he suffered thru her forced tutelage in reading and spelling and bested her at telling time because she got confused between the big hand and little hand. After his younger brothers, Ayo and Olu, were born Ade took his place within the family as the big brother, leader of miniature men, and proceeded to form the Black Knights with the three of them, some cousins and neighborhood friends. The Black Knights mainly patrolled 145th and Kinsman, practiced martial arts and marched up and down the block chanting, “there she was just a walkin’ down the street singing doo-wah-diddy-diddy-dum-diddy-doo.” (It is important to note that his Uncle Steve was a member of the original Black Knights but was kicked out because he told on them to their mother, even then Ade believed in no snitching.)

As a child attending Mt. Pleasant Catholic School, Ade became a masterful storyteller and actor as he had convinced his kindergarten teacher that he had a pet goat at home. When the teacher asked his mother about this she said the only pets he has are a dog and a cat. Needless to say, the teacher was disappointed.

In the first grade at St. Adalbert Ade fell in love with his teacher, a Black nun named Sister Barbara, and decided that he wanted to become a priest. He sang with Sister Barbara as she played guitar. She bought him a Pierre Cardin suit. He loved religion class and learning about the saints. He was later allowed by his parents to be baptized under a beautiful statue of Black Jesus in 2nd grade as they did not find it a conflict with their Ifa/Lucumi spirituality which Ade also loved for he assisted in Ifa/Lucumi ceremonies and learned prayers, songs and sacred texts far beyond his years.

Ade was also an accomplished musician, having studied under his beloved mother Yetunde, Baba Adetobi Ajibilu and a multitude of others. Ade played the Congas, Bata, Shekere, Agogo, Cajon and many other instruments. By the time he was 13 he was regularly performing with his mother’s ensembles throughout northeast Ohio and later western Pennsylvania. While a student at George Westinghouse High School, in Pittsburgh, PA, Ade was a professional percussionist for a local Salsa band and met the legend, Tito Puente. He later transferred his musical talents to rap music and performed and recorded under the name “Daytime.”

East Coast, West Coast, Worldwide…

Chasing a career in music, Ade moved to and immersed himself in the music scenes of Oakland, CA, Los Angeles, CA, and New York City. While a recording artist Ade was signed to a few record labels and worked with world renowned artists and producers, even having his music used on film soundtracks. During this time he also helped to organized the Million Youth March with Dr. Khalid Muhammad using the grassroots organization skills he acquired as a member of the Panke Way fraternal organization that he helped found in Pittsburgh’s Homewood neighborhood.

It was while living in New York that Ade pursued his initiations into the Orisha and Ifa priesthoods. He received Aganju from Baba Ifatosin and also booked a one way ticket to Nigeria where thru research, personal connections and perseverance Ade received Ifa and became a Babalawo. He later took several people to Nigeria for their initiations and then assisted in the initiations of dozens and dozens of people in Ohio, Pennsylvania, California, New York and Georgia just to name a few. He also helped to establish African and Ifa/Orisha study groups and religious organizations, most notably Egbe Gye Nyame in Cleveland, OH and Egbe Tiwalade in Atlanta, GA.

Dada…

The role of father, or Dada as he was called by his children, was Ade’s most cherished role and one that he knew  that was most sacred.  In 2004, his first daughter, Adenike, was born followed by his first son, Adelana, two years later. They were later followed by Adelola, Adejoye and Adetunde, each a reflection of his wisdom, wit and attitude. He provided them with experiences that they cherish such as meeting famous and important people from around the world, exploring new cultures thru food and music, and allowing them to express their individuality and pursue their own talents. Lastly, Ade made sure that all of his children knew Olodumare (God), the Egungun (ancestors), and the Orishas thru the ancient Yoruba spiritual tradition.

Ade will be sorely missed on this earthly plane of existence but he leaves us to join the exalted realm of the ancestors beside his loving parents, Yetunde (nee Kathleen) and Ibiyinka (nee Samuel) Young. He is survived by his children Adenike, Adelana, Adelola, Adejoye, and Adetunde, his siblings, Najaa, Ayodeji and Olufemi, and nieces and nephews, Jor’Danee, Asauta, Amirah, Olufemi and Ayomi. He is also survived by a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, play cousins, godchildren and friends.

All power to the people, free the land!