Every time I met Willi Ninja, I would immediately gush and pour on the ‘legendary’ accolades. Sweet, warm and personable, he just smiled and listened. He surprised me - he said he didn’t see himself as a legend or an icon, but he appreciated the sentiment. He said, “Willi suits me just fine, keeps me on a normal level.” His humility only amplified his greatness.
Almost nine years earlier, La India had a gigantic hit with Yemaya Y Ochun (Love and Happiness) with her husband Louie Vega, half of The Ultimate house production team known as Masters at Work. That February, she celebrated her birthday with a record release party at Sound Factory Bar. The dark stage and curtains were covered in foliage. It was packed and the crowd buzzed with anticipation. A spotlight appeared and India emerged from the shadows - sitting on the arm of Willi Ninja as he moved gracefully from pose to pose. The beat kicked in and the crowd went completely nuts. Later in the performance another spotlight would suddenly illuminate another legend - salsa maestro Tito Puente. Pandemonium! It felt like an explosion! I really thought the floor was going to give way. If one night could capture the essence of house music and nightlife, it would be that night.
Willi, born William Roscoe Leake on April 12, 1961, passed away last Saturday. The Godfather of Vogue, credited for elevating the dance to an artform garnering international recognition and critical acclaim from the worlds of dance, music and fashion, was only 45 years old.
We celebrate his legend and his life: Aimee Newman, John Keene, Harmonica Sunbeam, J., New York Times, Village Voice, Keith Boykin, Jasmyne Cannick, Latasha Natasha Diggs, Rod McCullom, Andrés Duque and Emanuel Xavier, who also provides this info:
Funeral Services for Willi Ninja
Friday, September 8, 2006 (7-9 pm)
Roy L. Gilmore’s Funeral Home
19102 Linden Boulevard
St. Albans, Queens, NY 11412
(718) 529-3030Donations
Please send checks or money orders c/o “Aimee Newman” with “Willi Ninja” written in the memo line. Donations will be cashed in and given in their totality to Willi Ninja’s mother. They should be sent to the following address with a note that clearly indicates who is sending the donation.
Aimee Newman/Willie Ninja
72 Van Reipen Ave
PMB 122
Jersey City, NJ 07306
Leave a comment