Photo courtesy of Royal Funeral Service, Inc. - Miami Gardens
Miami Gardens, Florida
Jun 4, 1966 – Jun 13, 2021
Akinyemi (Yemi) Olugbenga BABATUNDE (a.k.a XAREN)
Akinyemi (popularly known as Yemi) was born on June 4th 1966 in Northern Nigeria to
Engineer & Mrs A. F. A. Babatunde both of blessed memory. His nuclear family includes 3
sisters and 2 brothers and he was born during a civil war in the Northern Nigerian region.
The name Akinyemi is of African Yoruba origin and it means “Fearless, Fated to be a warrior”
while the name Olugbenga means “God has lifted me up”.
Yemi completed his primary education at St. Saviours Primary School, Ebute Metta, Lagos
and proceeded to Federal Government College (Ijanikin), Lagos for his secondary education.
He bagged a BSc. (Hons) in Civil Engineering from the University of Lagos after which he
proceeded to the United States of America in 1988.
He was a gifted singer, musician, composer, song writer, producer and director. Amongst his
achievements in the music industry, was the production of the Men of Vizion (MOV) album
in 1999 (under the MJJ/SONY music label), as well as meeting and working with numerous
popular artists including Teddy Riley, the late Michael Jackson and popular composers like
Rodney “DarkChild” Jerkins, to mention a few.
Yemi also built and successfully operated Xaren Corporation, his Environmental Consulting
& Construction Management Company in the US, for many years.
Yemi passed away in Florida and is survived by a wife, his 4 children and extended family.
We will especially miss his incredible talent, fearless heart and warrior spirit.
Rest in perfect peace, XAREN.
Read MoreIt's bn one whole year that you left us to be with your maker. We give thanks and glory to God for being the shield and buckler to all your
Loved ones you left behind.
Rest in Peace, Bro.
CHARLES ELUMELU
June 24, 2022 | LOS ANGELES, CA
It is true that we just never know who will pass on next and when, but for the living, it still hurts when we lose a loved one.
This is deeply personal for me as we’ve been family friends from the early 80s as our fathers worked with the Railway Corporation.
Yemi taught me to drive when I was like 13 or so and he was like 19. Sometimes I’d run errands with him and while he’d drive, he would allow me change gears (stick shift, for those wondering). Toyin was closer to...
Kene Iloenyosi
July 01, 2021 | Atlanta, GA | Friend
Senior Akinyemi, Friendly senior, likeable, funny, protector of Jnr students at FGCL ijanikin, Fantastic older brother to my very good friend Toyin.
This is Sad, Great Loss to all who knew him.
May Your Soul RIP.
Pray to God to comfort your children, sisters, Toyin and loved ones
Abim Afolabi
July 01, 2021 | London | Friend
Egbon mi..(my Brother)
As I write this..I am in tears..still can't believe it..
We laughed together..we talked..we sang together..we fought..we argued..you yelled at me (I dare not yell back) ..
You saw me through challenges I had.. you taught me a lot.. I always strived to be like you..you taught me how to ride a bike, then passed down your old/used bike to me..
i have so many memories, which i will cherish forever..
Your talent and gift...
Toyin Babatunde
July 01, 2021 | Brampton, ON | Brother
Yemi - My fondest memories are from visits to Railway compound, where i would marvel at your guitar skills or when you taught me to whistle through my teeth (my kids still think its a super power) I guess it was just your brilliance on display ..for some reason you reminded me of Michael Jackson and you were always an Americana in my eyes then, so I was not surprised when you travelled to "The America".
The imagination that created the name "Xaren" clearly showed you were a man ahead of...
Mayowa Babatunde
July 01, 2021 | Lagos | Family
May His soul rest in perfect peace. May the good Lord comfort the family that he left behind. Amen. IJN. From the Awolowo's family. New York.
Florence Awolowo
July 01, 2021 | Central Islip, NY | Friend
Akinyemi was my classmate in secondary school. Super-smart cool-kid has to be my best definition of him. I’m so glad he moved on to express himself and enjoy his giftings. Condolences to his nearest and dearest. Great loss.
Adeola Oguntade-Ayorinde
July 01, 2021 | Lagos | Classmate
Accept my condolences. May God almighty grant him eternal rest. Amen
Rotimi Oyewole
July 01, 2021 | London | Classmate
A tribute to my friend Akinyoor. sad that you are gone so soon. I will never forget the countless hours we spent hanging out with friends in Jaja house Ijanikin , where you regaled us with the qualities of various automobiles including your family Mazda 929 as well as your family vacation trips to various places, your passion for music notably funk music, Parliament, Bootsy Collins, "Trumpupulation", etc. Your wit, your unerring ability for visual illustration, your unfiltered brilliance in...
Matthew Coker
July 01, 2021 | Lekki Lagos | Friend
