Globally recognized drummer who performed in ‘Coming 2 America’ found slain in yard, family says

CLEVELAND (WOIO/Gray News) - The family of a 26-year-old man is remembering his life and legacy after he was brutally slain last week.

The body of Shemsi Sanu Baraka was found in the front yard of a home in the Walton Hills area outside of Cleveland last Monday.

Authorities said Baraka had been shot in the head multiple times.

WOIO spoke with one of Baraka’s older sisters who said it took two days for officials to identify him after his body was found.

Sesa Bakenra said her brother, who usually went by Sanu, left a legacy as a global performer as a master djembe drummer and teacher. Baraka had even appeared on the big screen in a film alongside Eddie Murphy.

“He will be missed dearly. He will be remembered for his performances in ‘Coming to America 2,’ the soundtrack and the movie, as well as the opening for the Guava Island film starring Rihanna,” Bakenra said. “He also performed for the likes of Stevie Wonder, Destiny’s Child and multiple international artists.”

Baraka was born and raised in Cleveland, according to his family. He received a good part of his education in Southern California, but he lived to showcase his family’s West African roots.

Baraka’s family has plenty of pictures of him performing as a master drummer with African Soul International.

The family said they are now puzzled and trying to understand why anyone would want to harm him. They are determined to get justice and find out what happened in his final hours.

“I don’t know what is the connection with the Walton Hills location, and I don’t think that words can express the loss that I feel,” Bakenra said.

Baraka was the only boy of five siblings and was described as the glue to his family.

The family said they are determined to carry out his legacy and hope his death will serve as a heartbreaking reminder that the senseless gun violence has to stop.

“I really want to encourage Cleveland to start having conversations about what alternatives there are to the violence, because the goal should be to resolve the problem,” Bakenra said.

Baraka would have turned 27 years old on April 1.

A balloon release will be held on Monday in his memory. A memorial service will follow on Saturday.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the killing. No arrests have been made at this point, but police believe Baraka’s death is an isolated incident in Walton Hills.

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