If He Burns Brightly Before He Dies ...
... His Brightness Shines For All Time.
-Solzhenitsyn
March, 2017. Monrovia, Liberia.
On assignment for New York Times covering the late Quincy B, one of Liberia’s most promising artists whose memorial service shut down the city after a car crash tragically ended his life at the age of 23.
Family members of the popular Liberian musician line up to sign the condolence book at the St. Moses Funeral Parlour before the open casket viewing.
A young woman shows off her t-shirt with an image of the musician on it. She stands with a crowd outside the funeral home, hoping to get an opportunity to view the body.
Merchandise dedicated to the famous Liberian musician were swiftly made and sold to fans and supporters.
Mourning, but eager fans stand outside the funeral home.
An officer cools off with a drink. The wake service attracted large numbers of people and the police force was present to control the crowd.
Popular Liberian musician and activist Takun J. confronts police officers who attempted to block his vehicle as he arrived at the funeral home. His name was chanted among the crowd and he is given a parking spot.
Police form a human barrier as the crowd surges.
A young woman yells out in frustration as she and her friends are pushed away from blocking the funeral home gates.
Dressed as if for a show, the young musician Quincy B. lays in his casket inside the St. Moses Funeral Parlour where family and close friends are seated. Two women hold up their phones for pictures and live-streaming. as prayers are said.
Mother of the deceased, Christina G.M. Burrowes (second from left) is comforted by family members during the service.
A supporter closes his eyes during a moment of prayer at the wake.
Digital devices are raised up to record the exit of Quincy B.'s body from the funeral home.
Police officers gather around to take pictures of Quincy B. as his body is places in a transparent casing upon a float.
Police vehicles line up along the road side to escort the funeral convoy to the Antoinette Tubman Stadium to continue the wake keeping.
Mourners shut down the street leading to the stadium awaiting the casket and a chance to get a final glimpse at their artist.
As the casket makes it way slowly through the crowd, people cry out upon seeing the body of their musician.
A young boy scales a fence at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium where the wake-keeping was held in order to get closer to the performances that would be held later on in the night.
Young men and a girl stand in the stadium. The atmosphere felt more like that of a concert than a wake and the youth came dressed in their best street clothes.
Satee B. Konneh, 26, actor and movie producer, “When I see a young guy as he is {was}, holding the crowd, I used to feel the praise of talent that God give us."
George Young, 22, aspiring actor, “{It was} he who make me love Liberian music. His music has a message inside (…) If you listen to his music you get idea on how to be something in life.”
Pennieh Dolo, 18, 8th grade, “He was going to be someone great in Liberia. It’s difficult for someone to go that level.”
Feouls Kaba, a music producer who was in the car at the same time of the accident comforts a weeping friend. He survived the accident without any physical injuries.
A woman is attended to by medics after experiencing difficulty breathing. As the crowd swells and bodies press up upon each other, pepper spray is activated into the approaching crowd. More people faint and are carried to the medical crew.
People back away as a man uses a cane to keep people from closing in on the open casket of the musician.
The sun sets above the remains of the Liberian music legend, Quincy B.
