The Weight of Loss, the Strength to Carry On
Grief bends time, distorts memories, and forces you to ask questions you never imagined. When my brother, partner, and best friend Atulegwu Amaraegbulem Ahaghotu —nicknamed Alo, as we called him, or Prophet Lo when he was laid to rest—he was taken from us at just 27, it shattered our world and he left behind a daughter he loved very much. Murdered in ignorance, his loss was senseless, tragic, and almost unbearable. But instead of being consumed by grief, I chose to focus on how he lived and I took on the empathic nature and helped my loved ones get through by doing the same.
A Life of Intentional Joy and Giving
Alo wasn’t just a brother; he was an energetic force. He was intentionally happy, carefree in a way that was almost rebellious. He knew life’s hardships but chose joy daily. He wasn’t naive—he simply believed in love, laughter, and generosity. What I didn’t realize until after his passing was just how much he gave.
Alo never bragged about his kindness. Yet, the stories poured in—how he paid a friend’s rent to keep them from eviction, supported a younger cousin’s education, and ensured our village family in Nigeria always had what they needed. Every Christmas, he returned home showering kids with gifts, giving without hesitation. He believed in uplifting others and lived by that principle. He spent so much time with his daughter and now I understand why. He always spoke of living for the moment.
My Biggest Fan and Unshakable Support
He saw something in me before I saw it in myself. When I was finding my voice as a rapper, he told me never to stop—he knew my words had power. He listened when I shared my thoughts, my deep searches for meaning. We got our first tattoos together, and the big, tough man turned into a teddy bear when the needle hit. That was Alo—hilarious, larger than life, always making sure I felt like I belonged at the top.
One of my favorite memories? When he bought a blue Suburban, put it in my name, and called himself my chauffeur. “This is your car,” he said, placing me in the backseat like royalty. He wanted me to get used to being driven, used to living like a boss. That’s who he was—lifting others up, seeing the greatness in them before they even realized it.
A Legacy That Lives Beyond Death
Alo was a soldier in God’s army. He loved Bob Marley and Fela Kuti, wanted a big family, and dreamed of spreading love far and wide. He lived like a king, and in many ways, he still does.
This year, on what would have been his 50th birthday, nearly 23 years after his passing, his legacy remains as strong as ever. His name still holds weight. The love for him still thrives. Thanks to our sister-friend—an attorney working with a council member in Prince George’s County—Alo’s life has been officially honored with a plaque, declaring his birthday a holiday.
March 15: Triple AAA Day
March 15—the Ides of March, the season of Pisces—is now Triple AAA Day, a day dedicated to celebrating the life of a man who gave endlessly and loved fearlessly. Starting now, every year, we will honor him with a festival—a space for joy, love, and giving, just as he would have wanted.
How Will You Be Remembered?
In the end, our impact isn’t measured by how we die but by how we live. Alo lived beautifully. He gave selflessly. He loved deeply. And now, we carry his light forward.
So, I ask you—how do you want to be remembered?